Paul Calter’s collection of “November” landscapes is currently on display at Gifford Medical Center’s art gallery. Inspired by the scenery on his daily drive for coffee, he created these works to reflect the unique colors and beauty found in the eleventh month of the year.
“After the fall foliage is gone but before the snows arrive there is an unexpected feast for the eyes; umbers, ochers, sienna’s, purples, yellows, and some greens. Eventually I made these eleven paintings, eleven paintings for the eleventh month, and hope that they convey at least a little of the emotions I feel at this time of year.”
Calter has strategically placed the poem “My November Guest” by Robert Frost beside the exhibit. He believes his feelings about this month are reflected in the poem, describing “the faded earth, the heavy sky” and “the love of bare November days.”
Calter has been an active painter and sculptor since moving to Vermont in 1968. He earned a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in sculpture from the Vermont College of Norwich University, now the Vermont College of Fine Arts, in 1993.
Both his paintings and sculptures have been commissioned and exhibited around the region. He has permanent pieces featured at Vermont Technical College, Castleton State College, and Gifford. His pieces at the hospital include a fountain in the Courtyard Garden and a marble carving of a nurse located near the inpatient unit, which he donated in 2009 and 2012. The carving is based on a historic photo displayed at Gifford and was created in memory of his wife Margaret “Peggy” Calter.
Calter also has a degree in engineering and taught mathematics at Vermont Technical College, and elsewhere, for over 20 years. He’s written more than 10 mathematics textbooks, printed in multiple editions at major publishers, and developed a course titled “Geometry in Art & Architecture.”
Experience November through Paul Calter’s eyes by visiting the Gifford Gallery. The show is free and open to the public through Dec. 3. The gallery is located just inside the hospital’s main entrance at 44 S, Main St. (Route 12) in Randolph. Call Gifford at (802) 728-7000 for more information.
