‘Miniatures’ At Westover School

MIDDLEBURY — “Miniatures,” an exhibit featuring the model-making and photography talents of artist and educator Robert Mitchelll, are on view at Westover School’s Schumacher Gallery until January 20. The artist creates imaginary worlds by painstakingly crafting architectural models, photographing them with dramatic lighting and various backgrounds, and then hand printing them with Polaroid transfers.

The exhibit may be viewed daily between 12:30 and 5 pm when school is in session. The Schumacher Gallery is within Westover’s Performing Arts Center, accessible from the school’s main entrance at 1237 Whittemore Road (Route 188), opposite The Green in Middlebury.

Fascinated with the effects of age on buildings, Mr Mitchell includes details such as weathered wood and distressed paint finishes on his models. One series of photographs depicts a tenement building in 1930, 1960 and 1990, showing the effects of neglect and decay on the building. Other photographed scenes are injected with humor or a surreal view.

Mr Mitchell’s work has been exhibited at The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, at The Whitney Museum of American Art and art galleries in New York City as well as the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

A resident of Weston, he has taught art at Weston High School since 1996.

Westover School is an independent, college-preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. More information is available by calling 203-758-2423.