Gihon River Collective, VSC Alumni Assemble Show in London, UK

The Gihon River Collective is a group of writers and visual artists who were in residence at Vermont Studio Center (VSC) in September 2009. The Vermont Studio Center is the largest international artist and writers residency program in the United States. Every month for the past 25 years, VSC has welcomed to Johnson, Vermont, over 50 sculptors, painters, installation artists, printmakers, photographers, multi-media artists, poets and writers from around the world. The Gihon River Collective, made up of September 2009 residents, visiting artists and writers and staff, is now assembling a show of their work, COPY0909, with additional events in London. It is further supported in association with the University of the Arts London.

The collective sees COPY0909 as a continuation of the vibrant artistic community that was established during their residency at VSC. The show will bring into one space the rich diversity of artistic production of this international group of artists and writers. The members of the collective have made it their goal to bring their shared experiences and passion back to their home countries. They see this group show as a way of cultivating new audiences and encouraging others to embrace the possibilities of artistic community and collaboration.

The revenue generated by the sale of small works donated by each artist and writer (as endorsed by Yinka Shonibare MBE, artist) will be presented to the Vermont Studio Center to assist a UK artist or writer upon his or her application and acceptance to the program as the Gihon River Collective Fellowship.

Exhibitors include:

Visiting Artists and Writers:
Brian Belott, USA
Kathy Black, USA
Gregory Botts, USA
George Pearlman, USA
Ed Smith, USA
Cole Swensen, USA
Christy Symington, UK
Tontxi Vazquez, Puerto Rico/UK

Alumni Writers:
Tova Gardner, Israel/USA
Christopher Lee, Canada
Sierra Nelson, USA
Amanda Gayle Oliver, USA
Liliana Valenzuela, USA

Alumni Visual Artists:
Leonardo Aguinaldo, Philippines
Erin Lee Benson, USA
Marilynn Derwenskus, USA
Mark Dilks, USA
Ciara Foster, Ireland
Charlie Grosso, USA
Joshua Haycraft, USA
Amna Ilyas, Pakistan
Josianne Ishikawa, Japan/USA
Chutima Kerdpitak, Thailand/UK
Rinaldo Klas, Suriname
Elaine Woo MacGregor, UK
Christopher Manzione, USA
Natasha Mell-Taylor, USA
Wendy Morrison, USA
Jacqueline Norheim, USA
Lillian Pease, USA
Anne Percoco, USA
Jon Rajkovich, USA
Renata Szur, Hungary                   
Terry Wise, USA