In conjunction with the exhibit of the Vermont Book Arts Guild Retrospective at the Catamount Arts Fried Gallery, the Satellite Gallery in Lyndonville will be showing the structural designs, educational examples of the work of Ellen Levitt. Ellen worked with many of the Book Arts Guild members and artist Claire Van Vliet of Janus Press. The Lyndon Institute students of Elly Barksdale will be exhibiting examples of Book Arts learned during this time.
Ellen Dorn Levitt, a visionary artist, designer, and educator, shared her unwavering artistic curiosity and discipline with family and friends and with the hundreds of young artists she mentored over many productive years. Throughout May and June, in celebration of her life, a selection of her work involving Book Arts will be on display at the Satellite Gallery, 71 Depot Street in Lyndonville.
The show was designed and curated by two artists who knew Dorn Levitt well: former student Elly Barksdale, and gallery founder Martha Elmes.
“Ellen’s attention to detail in her drawings, prints, and fabric art is unsurpassed,” said Elmes. “She drew every single day using graphite, ink, or whatever else suited her subjects. She always knew the best pencil to use, with the proper grip and pressure needed to create amazing work. We thank her husband, Mark Levitt, for sharing her multiple book designs.”
Born in Lakewood, N.J., Dorn Levitt began her studies at Maryland Institute College of Art in 1965, where she studied drawing, printmaking, painting, color theory, clay, and jewelry design, among other mediums. She also studied at Parsons School of Design and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Her creations took many forms—hand-printed silk scarves, traditional ash baskets, jewelry from found objects, even stationery.
At Lyndon Institute she helped establish innovative programs in book arts, printmaking, and digital design using advanced computer software.
All are invited to an opening party at the Satellite Gallery on Monday, June 1, from 5-7 p.m. For more information about hours, or to make a private appointment to view the work, please call 802.229.8317.
