A student-led research and art initiative transforms an old silo into a public art piece honoring Vermont’s heritage.
Silo Transformation Project
Throughout the summer of 2022, Shane Silverman ‘24.5 extensively researched the feasibility of public art installations in Vermont with a focus on silos, a structure that is ubiquitous in the state’s landscape and history. The main purpose of the study was twofold: painting of silos would serve as a local beacon of community engagement and illustrate the values or representations of the region, while also providing a compelling tourist attraction and bridge to towns throughout Addison County.
The next June, Wyatt Robinson ’24 began his endeavor of painting a mural inspired by Vermont’s flora and fauna onto the silo adjacent to the Middlebury Recycling Center. he painting process did not come without hurdles, especially in the form of weather, but Robinson stayed motivated with “the unbelievable passion [he] saw from the community.” With hopes that his artwork can serve as a place for reflection and tranquility for all who stumble upon it, Wyatt Robinson has truly made a lasting impression on Middlebury College’s campus, as well as the larger public art initiatives throughout the state of Vermont.
I cannot overstate how thankful I am for the support I received as I embarked on this project and as I concluded it. My hope is that the silo will become a place of contemplation and tranquility, engulfing the passerby into a thicket of flora and fauna, providing a moment of peace in an otherwise hectic world.