Rock River Artists grows by three
Rock River Artists (RRA), a collection of fine artists and craftspeople whose studios stretch from Brookline to South Newfane, have welcomed three new area artists into the fold: Ed Jekot, painter and sculptor; Nancy Libby, painter; and Noelle VanHendrick and Eric Hendrick, clay artists of ZPOTS.
These artists will join eight others on the 2026 tour: Brittany Bills-Coleman, painting; Chris Darrow, clay; Richard Foye, raku pottery; Gayle Robertson, painting; Gianna Robinson, painting; Deidre Scherer, thread on fabric; Matthew Tell, pottery; and T. Breeze Verdant, inlay jewelry.
Jekot, director of marketing at Mary Meyer in Townshend, came to Vermont several years ago after listening to a podcast featuring an old friend and fellow Rhode Island School of Design alumni, Adrianna Alty, with historian and writer, Jill Lepore.
In his studio, Gallery 1330, Jekot has been working in three-dimensional modes. What will be shown most on the RRA tour, however, will be encaustic paintings, a method that involves wax, resin, and pigment.
Libby has been painting since high school, working in various media; lately, the focus is on acrylics. Looking forward to being part of the RRA tour for the first time, Libby finds it inspiring to hang out with fellow artists to talk, just creative minds gathering, and the organization of Rock River Artists offers that potential.
VanHendrick and Hendrick join the tour after having tried 20 years ago, when its geographic reach did not include Brookline, the home of ZPOTS.
The couple and a few others produce work to be marketed as the 25-year-old ZPOTS through 100 galleries across 50 states and abroad. VanHendrick, Hendrick, and one other throw the pots; another tends to the flatware, and all tend to next steps before VanHendrick writes and paints on each piece before it goes to glazing.
New and existing members are gearing up for Rock River Artists annual Open Studio Tour starting at South Newfane Schoolhouse, 357 Dover Road, Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information go to rockriverartists.com.
