Mountain Times - Volume 48, Number 19: May 8-14

14 • The Mountain Times • May 8-14, 2019
Did you know?
When tending to their
lawns, homeowners are
advised to pay attention
to areas that may feature
standing water. According
to the World Health Organization,
standing water
is a breeding ground for
mosquitoes, which can
breed in great numbers in
pools of water. Mosquitoes
are known to carry
diseases like malaria,
West Nile virus and Zika.
Furthermore, mosquitoes
that bite pets can
transmit heartworms, a
serious problem if it goes
undiscovered. Standing
water also can be a haven
for bacteria, mold and
parasites that are dangerous
to human health. If
standing, stagnant water
is a problem in your yard,
remediation is necessary.
Directing downspouts
away from the house can
remediate standing water.
Changing the grading of
soil so that low spots are
elevated is another way to
reduce instances of standing
water. This may be a
project that requires the
assistance of a drainage
professional. In addition,
homeowners can
remove standing water
from empty flower pots,
pool covers, bird baths,
and more to reduce the
likelihood that mosquitoes
will appear on their
properties.
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“Earth’s Crust,” a sculpture in Woodstock by Hector Santos, is 20 years old.
Submitted
Sculpture by local artist
celebrates 20 years
By Curt Peterson
Installation of “Earth’s Crust,” a
stone sculpture created by local artist
Hector Santos, was an ordeal in 1999,
but the impressive work has remained
fresh and in-place for 20 years this
month.
Made with granite slabs from an old
schoolhouse and schist rocks from
Sharon, the exhibition stands 6 feet
tall, 5 feet wide and is 18 inches thick.
The granite pieces provide enduring
anchors – 10 feet long, they extend 4
feet into the ground.
The log truck delivering the slabs
got stuck in soft, wet ground, requiring
tractors and a lot of sweat to extricate,
according to an April 24 press release.
The piece can be seen from Prosper
Road in Woodstock, and is a permanent
display at SculptureFest, an outdoor
gallery open to the public all year,
owned and managed by Charlet and
Peter Davenport. The adjacent King
Farm hosts related displays.
“The sculpture represents the earth’s
crust, like the title,” Santos told the
Mountain Times. “It’s the way I imagine
the planet’s mantle – in fact, ‘Earth’s
Mantle’ was my original title for the
work. I’m not a geologist, but these are
the materials that make up the crust.”
Santos, 55, moved with his mother
from Northampton, Massachusetts
when he was 11 to a commune near
Turner’s Falls.
“It was culture shock,” he said. “It
was the ‘70s – there was a lot of music
and artists, and there was a lot of construction
going on.”
He worked for a stonemason and
picked up skills and a deep interest in art
from the experience and surroundings.
Santos found it challenging making
ends meet while trying to start his own
stone masonry enterprise. He worked
the “gig economy” to pay the bills, including
as bartender at the Prince and
the Pauper in Woodstock.
He showed Charlet Davenport,
whom he had known for some years,
drawings of an artistic project he had in
mind.
“She said if I made it, she would
install it at SculptureFest,” Santos said.
“I didn’t have the necessary money,
and she encouraged me to apply to the
Vermont Arts Council for a grant.”
Santos’s first application was rejected.
He submitted his second application
on the last eligible day.
“A couple of weeks later they awarded
me the grant,” he said.
VAC gave Santos $1,000, which he
had to scrimp, save and borrow to
match.
According to the VAC website, jobs
and business provided by the arts
community comprised 8.6 percent of
the Vermont economy in 2016.
Santos continues to create art using
stone, concrete and wood, some for
public display and others on commission.
“But, day-to-day, I build stone walls,
steps and do repair and maintenance
work as my main business,” he said.
Santos lives in Brownsville and has a
business website: hectorsantos.com.
SculptureFest has no plans to
ceremonialize “Earth’s Crust”’s 20th
birthday. Santos agrees. He just wants
to “acknowledge” the milestone.
SculptureFest will participate
June 22 in Carvers and Sculptors, an
indoor-outdoor event at the History
Center at Dana House on Elm Street in
Woodstock. Some of Santos’s work will
be on display.
A soft opening on June 22 at SculptureFest
on Prosper Road will start the
official season, and the main opening,
including live dance and music performances,
will occur on August 24 at
the King Farm. All events are free and
open to the public.
“It’s very popular,” Peter Davenport
told the Mountain Times. “We
get upwards of 750 people wandering
around among the exhibitions, having
picnics and taking photos.”
Email: jellis@ellisbrothers.net
Website: www.ellisbrothers.net
802.265.7899
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802.422.2399 • mountaintimes.info MOUNTA IN TIMES
802.422.2399 • mountaintimes.info MOUNTA IN TIMES