Support
BigTown today
In 2025, we had the honor of working with environmentalists, writers, artists, architects, photographers, filmmakers, and community leaders who helped shape bold, resilient programming—tackling big themes like community building, climate change, justice, and innovation. This marked the final chapter of our multi-year focus on photography and its power to shape how we see the world.
Ticket sales alone can’t cover the full cost of our programming—and with nearly 500 people joining our events this year, the impact on our local economy was real and meaningful.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll continue our partnership with the Architecture & Design Film Festival, add a segment from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and return for a final MY PLACE Photography Workshop with Jim Dow and Cassandra Klos.
We’re deeply grateful to the friends and patrons who made this year’s events possible. If you’d like to help keep this work going, one-time or ongoing support ensures we can continue to bring transformative arts programming to rural Vermont. Tax-deductible donations can be made to BigTown Projects, Inc.—our nonprofit arm—by check or through the link below.
Thank you!
Bring your curiosity — Leave inspired!
FILM
Partnering with the Architecture & Design Film Festival, we were able to screen three engaging films this summer —
Strange and Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island
Frank Gehry: Building Justice
& Beyond Zero
Three films that inspired conversation and brought new knowledge to our audience. BigTown wishes the repurposing committee for the Rochester High School, where we were able to screen these films, all the very best in its endeavors to revitalize this space and much positive momentum going forward.
TALK
We were able to host incredible artists, authors, and inspirational speakers, encouraging dialogue about complex and challenging topics.
April Surgent, one of the artists featured in our ongoing exhibition Being Here Now, gave a talk about her work photographing in the Pearl and Hermes Atoll.
Colleen Meaney, Program Director at the Treamont School, moderated a conversation on resiliency, recovery, and healing after conflict with authors and educators Dr. Theresa Betancourt and Betsy Small, with special guest Alusine Kamara.
Bill McKibben, author and leading environmental activist, gave on a talk on solar power and his new book, Here Comes the Sun.
FOOD
Your support allowed us to feed hundreds of people with delicious, locally sourced food, prepared by incredible chefs. A bountiful grazing table featuring the best of Vermont’s seasonal foods, wood-fired pizza by Chef PJ Lauriello, and One-Meal-For-All with food historian and hearth-cooking expert Paula Marcoux. Our last event even got a shout out from Vermont food influencer Senator Rocket at EatVermont on Instagram!
With the support from local food producers, including North Hollow Farm, Uphill Farm, Old Road Farm, Jasper Hill, and Red Hen Bakery.
We were continuously supported by Foley Brother’s Brewing, who offered beer and wine at all events.
Photos on this page were taken by Corey Hendrickson, photographer and 2024 My Place Photography Workshop participant