search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
the Farm: Clemmons Family Farm & the Flynn


Flynn Curriculum & Instruction Program Manager Susanna Olson, Visiting Practitioner in Education/ Artist-in-residence, Aysha Upchurch, and Teaching Artist at Lincoln Center Education, Dacia Washington.


By JESSICA HANDRIK, Education Director


A year and a half ago, John Killacky and I were attending a workshop where local nonprofits had gathered to learn how best to approach a new grant opportunity. Someone in the room suggested we not reveal our plans, since weren’t we all in competition with each other? Lydia Clemmons, Director of Charlotte’s Clemmons Family Farm, raised her hand and graciously suggested that we were instead all in collaboration with each other in serving our community. That resonated so strongly with us that John and I approached her during a break to start a conversation. Nearly two years later, the trajectory of that conversation has resulted in two partnership activities with the farm, one of Vermont’s only African-American-owned historic farms and a recent recipient of the prestigious ArtPlace America grant. The Flynn’s Arts Literacy Institute will be held there this August, and our Amy E. Tarrant Gallery hosts a collection of art from Africa that farm founder Lydia Clemmons has collected over many decades.


On a recent visit to the farm—a stop on the Vermont African- American Heritage Trail, I met Lydia’s parents, the Clemmons


family’s patriarch and matriarch, Dr. Jackson Clemmons, a retired UVM doctor, and Mrs. Lydia Clemmons, a retired nurse anesthetis. I toured the stunning site and learned how Dr. Clemmons’ vision led to the transformation of two historic barns into a beautiful cultural center for the community: “the Barn House.” That chance to immerse myself in the farm and its possibilities made me even more excited to welcome our participants in August.


The farm has been a great supporter of the Flynn, hosting fundraising dinners in the early days of the budding performing arts center, and these upcoming events fortify a bond wrought long ago. “We are so excited about the Flynn’s choice to hold its institute here,” Lydia Clemmons said. “We appreciate the intentionality with which they are engaging in and honoring the meaning and history of the farm as a place for learning about African-American history and the African diaspora in Vermont.” We share the Clemmons’ excitement in renewing this wonderful partnership, and look forward to the invaluable insight we will undoubtedly draw from these experiences.


Back to


New Staff Members The Flynn welcomes two new staff members:


Ingrid Pels joins the Flynn as the new Staff Accountant after having served as a CPA at Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP for nearly 11 years in both the tax and audit departments. Her background additionally includes finance


experience at some of Vermont’s other wonderful non-profit organizations. Ingrid is excited to join the team and to further the incredible mission of the Flynn.


A Burlington resident since 1988, Liam Flynn has a long relationship with Burlington’s music scene as a performer and sound engineer at many local venues, including Nectar’s, Higher Ground, and here at the Flynn Center. A decision to enter


the IT field was a natural choice given his technical abilities and curiosity, but that choice (and his two young children) led him away from the performing arts world for several years. These two lives connected for him at the Flynn when he joined the IT team in January. Having children kindled an interest in photography, and when he is not at the Flynn, he can often be found somewhere with a camera waiting for the light to get better.


September, October, November MARQUEE | 11


Frédéric Silberman


Frédéric Silberman


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12