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Heart of Barre art project to be installed in Aldrich Library after statehouse showing; artists donate work to city
Summary
Local artists presented an 80x80 "Heart of Barre" art installation documenting flood stories; the city will host a ribbon‑cutting during Heritage Festival and the piece will travel to the Statehouse before permanent installation in Aldrich Public Library.
Two local artists presented “Heart of Barre,” a two‑panel, community art installation documenting personal stories from the 2023 and 2024 floods and created from 20 canvases that form larger 80x80 works. The project will be publicly unveiled during the Heritage Festival on July 24, will be exhibited in the Statehouse for five months beginning in September, and is intended for permanent installation at the Aldrich Public Library in February 2026.
Artist Deirdre (last name not stated) and collaborator Shauna Trader described the project as a collection of portraits, oral histories and poetry designed to highlight neighbors’ experiences of flood, recovery and community care. The installation includes audio QR codes linking viewers to recorded interviews; the artists said they intend to add supporting poetry and a companion volume whose proceeds will benefit local organizations (artists said the entire project will be gifted to the city and the library, and the city paid nothing for the work).
The artists said the project grew over two years and will include a ribbon‑cutting and a public reception; they said Ace Hardware and a private patron helped underwrite portions of the work. The artists also noted the project will be included in a documentary segment and that an artists’ reception at the Statehouse is scheduled for October 3. Council members and several residents praised the work and encouraged residents to attend the public opening.
What happens next: artists will coordinate logistics with city staff and the library for the July ribbon‑cutting and the February 2026 installation; the Statehouse display will run September through January.
