BigTown Gallery in Rochester, VT is celebrating 25 years of community programming—honoring a quarter-century of creativity, connection, and collaboration! In a time when the sense of community and shared understanding is more important than ever, BigTown celebrates the enduring power of the arts to inspire and unite. To commemorate this special anniversary, BigTown is thrilled to collaborate with Kyle Bergman, founder of the Architecture & Design Film Festival, to present three immersive community gatherings this summer. These events will spotlight the themes of community building, activism, and innovation, and are designed to enrich the conversations sparked by BigTown’s summer exhibition, Being Here Now, and the second annual My Place Photography Workshop. Each event will feature a film screening, artist’s talk, and shared meal included with the ticket, supporting BigTown’s 25th anniversary fundraising goal.

The first of these events is coming up quickly on Saturday, June 28th!

COMMUNITY BUILDING
3:30PM – FILM: Strange and Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island
5:00PM – TALK: Artist April Surgent, featured in the summer exhibition
6:00PM – GALLERY OPENING: BEING HERE NOW: A Photographic Look at Our World Today
6:00PM – FOOD: Taste of Vermont, in the garden

Join us for an unforgettable evening of film, conversation, and shared food—the first of our Summer FILM/ TALK/FOOD series and a celebration of those who lead by example to create lasting change. Whether in hometowns or far-off ecosystems, this night honors the creativity, commitment, and compassion that help reshape our world.

Event tickets are on sale at the link for $50. This is a fundraiser for our 25th Year of Community Programming — if you can pay more, we would greatly appreciate your generous support.

Thank you!