June 18, 2022
The Quarry Project Update

As I write this newsletter, Julia is rattling her way east from Portland, Oregon with her partner in a 1970 aluminum box truck packed with their and another couple’s household belongings. When she called me Wednesday evening, they were in upper Michigan. Her voice expressed both the excitement to be almost home in Vermont and the strain of the past month. We will see each other early next week to visit the exhibit of her photographs at the Chelsea Library before it is taken down and moved to the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier for the month of July. She will also meet with Lukas, Leslie and I to talk over the approach to capturing this summer’s finale. There is no doubt that her skill in revealing the intimacy within the piece in this compelling and vast setting has been a key component to the success of this project.
 
Lukas had a screening of the 2020 & 2021 films at the Media Factory in Burlington with lively conversation amongst those who attended. Another screening is scheduled for July 8 in Montpelier. Details are here.
 
In early June, Henry John and a small crew worked with Rowden Enterprises Crane Services of Wells River to lift the sections of the performer’s stages high into the air then gently place them on the water. They were scrubbed clean of the debris from two winters and a fresh coat of paint applied.  Now the crew is building the Audience Platform frames in preparation for the Eagle Floats that arrive late next week from Arkansas. The quarry is a hive of activity once again.
 
Over half the tickets have been spoken for, so if you are pondering, I encourage you to act soon to purchase your seat. There are 88 chairs and 2 accessible spots for each performance, including dress rehearsals. Seven Days is the ticketing agent and you can reach out to them with any questions.

We continue to take names for volunteers who will help with each performance. All volunteers get a free ticket. Sign up and get more information here. The jobs are: 

• assisting with parking and crossing the road,

• ticket and waiver management at the “door”

• seating the audience

• setting up the “lobby”

• preparing the performer’s “green room”

• selling books and cards after the performance

• breaking down the “lobby”

• breaking down the performer’s “green room”

• assistance crossing the road to your car

Here is an image Julia took last summer of part of the wall in what we call the cove. I love the crenulation. The Wells Lamson is peppered with these remains from the industry that are so beautiful to my eye.

Enjoy your summer and I will write again in July,