Art Hop
September 9-10
Now in its 19th year, SEABA has presented a remarkable exhibition of visual art, Vermont’s largest, the South End Art Hop.
Art Hop 2011, dedicated to the life and works of
Bentley Davis Seifer —November 17, 1998 – July 12, 2011—
Bentley Davis Seifer, the 12-year-old child of Bruce Seifer and Julie Davis died on July 12th while enjoying the natural surroundings of Bolton potholes. This year’s South End Art Hop has
been dedicated to Bentley to honor his talent for art, and especially his love and enthusiasm for the South End Art Hop.
Bentley’s love of the Art Hop was a tribute to his parents, former SEABA Executive Board Member, Bruce Seifer, of Burlington’s Community & Economic Development office, and former Art Hop Coordinator and oil painter Julie Davis.
As a family, they helped to shape and create what the South End Art Hop means to our community today.
Since Bentley was three years old, he was a fixture in his Mom’s studio in the Howard Space Building where he secured the loft as his own. Bentley’s talent for art was always there but his appreciation for it only grew when he sold two paintings at his first exhibit at the age of four. He also won a coloring contest securing a $25 gift certificate. After these events he made a point of making something he could “sell” every year.
The abrupt end of Bentley’s life is a shock to the many family, friends and acquaintances who were fortunate enough to know this special child. On the weekend of the Art Hop, an exhibit will be held at the Champlain Elementary School showing Bentley’s work along with many other students with family and friends in attendance.
A memorial foundation has been established in Bentley’s name to fund projects that exemplify how Bentley lived his life to the fullest, with a focus on programs and initiatives in our community. If you should choose to send a donation, please send in care of:
THE BENTLEY DAVIS SEIFER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC.
in c/o Collins, McMahon & Harris, 308 Main Street, P.O. Box 1623, Burlington, VT 05401.
The Art Hop is a two-day event occurring on the weekend following the Labor Day holiday. It attracts over 30,000 visitors, the majority from outside Burlington. Visitors are attracted to the South End artist’s studios, and local businesses that are refit as art galleries and exhibition sites for the more than 500 participating artists. The event celebrates the unique characteristics of the Pine Street corridor, in particular the development of concentrated creative and artistic activity that has been established in numerous re-purposed factories and warehouses within the District.
It takes hundreds of volunteers to make the Art Hop happen. Thank YOU!
