Gallery At The VAULT Earns State Craft Recognition

Vault gets state recognition: Governor Douglas with Nina Jamison and Trish SpencePublished in The Green Mountain Outlook, December 9, 2009The Gallery at the VAULT, (Visual Art Using Local Talent) located at 68 Main Street in Springfield, was recently honoredby Goveror Jim Douglas, who presented the gallery with a special plaque to commemorate being designated as a “Vermont State Craft Center.” This is indeed a very prestigous honor, given on rare occassions and after a lengthy process which involves applying through the State Craft Center Overview Committee as well as the state’s Standard Group.
A specific criteria must be met in order to be considered for such an honor.
“A total of six Vermont galleries applied for this distinction and we are one of only two oranizations to be granted this high honor,” VAULT retail director Nina Jamison stated in a recent interview. The Artisans Hand in Montpelier was also given the honor.
The specific criteria for galleries and educational organizations is based on the quality and diversity of the Vermont crafts displayed in galleries or the quality of classes offered by an educational organization. Governor Jim Douglas was on hand to present the gallery with a special plaque to commemorate the honor. "I am very pleased that VAULT Celebration: Governor Jim Douglas with Nina Jamisonour state now boasts two new state craft centers to help promote our high-quality crafts," Douglas told the guests that gathered for the ceremony. "There are many wonderful things about Vermont and one of them is great communication," Jamison also stated. "Through the designation application process, members of the Standard's Committee were not only immediately responsive to questions, but also provided an interested, listening ear.
"Being able to connect in that way enables small local groups to continue making a difference. With this designation VAULT hopes to extend our vitality into the larger community while maintaining the high standards that helped us achieve this honor."
VAULT and Artisans Hand now join Burlington's Frog Hollow Craft Center as the only designated craft centers in Vermont, since the process being initiated by then-Governor Howard Dean along with the Vermont Arts Council. "For over a year, we've been working with members of the craft community to develop the new process and standards for official state approval,"
The VAULT is honoredState Chief Marketing Officer Christine Werneke also said in a recent interview that "these were representatives chosen by the craft community, so it has been a very inclusive process." One of the main goals of this distinct designation is to ensure that when consumers see the "state craft center" emblem, they are confident in knowing that they are visiting a quality gallery or establishment that values excellence and craftsmanship.