‘Explorations’: Axel’s staff presents group art show with a twist, May 15-June 22
May 10, 2024 | By Whitney Aldrich 
Untitled by Kate Montross
It is the nature of the job at Axel’s Gallery and Frame Shop to be around creative people and art every single day. This exposure helps fuel creative exploration. So does seeing and processing, thinking and organizing, feeling and sensing, growing and expanding. We are constantly exploring our environment and our surroundings.
Winooski River, late, by Kristen Santucci
As part of that creative process, the group show “Explorations” opens on May 15 with artwork and objects created by Axel’s staff members Kristen Santucci, Kate Montross and Steve Simoes.
Kristin Santucci moved from Clearwater Florida to Montpelier, Vermont, in 2022. She has been painting for over 30 years. Kristin has enjoyed driving around Vermont and exploring the landscapes and her new home in this beautiful state. Her paintings reflect the varied seasons of the Vermont landscape. Moving here from Florida, Kristin loves when it snows in Vermont and enjoys capturing the essence of a snowy winter day.
Kate Montross grew up in Vermont and has lived in this community all her life. She is an artistic dabbler. Kate really enjoys diving into whatever artistic medium she feels like exploring further. Trained as a metalsmith and jeweler, she also loves sewing, knitting and drawing. Kate approaches things with a beginner's mind but likes to learn all she can when she is diving into a new medium or technique. Using simple three-dimensional shapes and forms, she explores the translation of those forms into two dimensions.
Wooden bowl by Steve Simoes
Steve Simoes is always looking for the “diamonds in the rough.” He peruses area estate and yard sales spending $20 or less on wood furniture that he then gives a new life. Steve finds great satisfaction in revealing the beauty of wood and keeping perfectly good things out of our landfills.
The artists have left a wall in the gallery open to share with the community. They invite you to explore your creative expression by picking up an art board from Axel’s and without judgment, play and then display or exchange your art board by the end of the exhibition.
An opening reception is planned for Friday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public and a great opportunity to meet the artists and employees of Axel’s.
With the exception of special events, Axel’s Gallery and Frame Shop is open Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Whitney Aldrich is owner of Axel’s Gallery and Frame Shop.