Oh! What a Circus
This month, make sure you head to Experienced Goods to enjoy the incredible holiday window displays created by Gemma Champoli and the Goods staff. It's magical! The store is part of Downtown Brattleboro's Festival of Miniatures, and it's fair to say that Experienced Goods went all out. The staff has been putting aside tiny treasures for months, giving Gemma, who was in charge of the project, plenty to work with.
Gemma says, "I have been fascinated by small things my entire life and have been an avid collector of anything tiny." She created the circus-themed window in honor of British painter and children’s book illustrator Brian Wildsmith (1930-2016).
Wildsmith said, “Beauty is an antidote to darkness — an ode to optimism, joy, and love.” It is Gemma's hope "that you will feel some of that joy;" her design also "pays homage to all of us who live and thrive on the fringes of society creating a culture of beauty, fantasy, collaboration, and friendship."
The other window is an Elfin forest. Leave yourself some time to take in all the whimsy and wonder on display!
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From Gemma: "It is a pleasure to share this vision with you and to have worked collaboratively with some of my favorite people to bring this vision into fruition. With a grateful heart, thank you to our wonderful team of creatives:
Eric Cutler for layout and design and very long- reaching arms, for your beautiful mind and soul, and for our friendship.
Emma Champoli, Elfin house builder and designer extraordinaire.
Albert Berthiaume for construction management and for being available for everything.
Imelda Reilly for holding the form of Elfin energy in real life with enthusiasm.
Karen Zamojski who always shows up to support me in everything I undertake.
Thank you, thank you with love, Gemma
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The store collected so many small objects that there was plenty of material for Joan Bourbeau to craft a third window of wee delights. Joan creates many displays throughout the store, so it was fun to see her designs in miniature. Aren’t we lucky to have such talent at our local thrift store!