NORTHFIELD — The Deerfield Valley Art Association’s Fiddleheads Gallery is moving to a newly constructed gallery in Bernardston, with a grand opening set for Sunday, July 19.
The relocation represents an opportunity to expand programming, welcome new audiences and strengthen ties with the surrounding community.
The move was driven by necessity after rising operating costs made it impossible for the nonprofit to remain in its Northfield location at 105 Main St. According to DVAA President Marge Anderson, the Community Bible Church, which had leased space to DVAA at a reduced rate in 2021, needed to increase the rent to cover its expenses.
“It was a reasonable amount of rent for the space, but it wasn’t something we, as a nonprofit, could afford at the time,” Anderson said.
The search for a new home connected the association with Chris and Vimala Steadman of River Arts LLC.
Although River Arts is not a nonprofit, Vimala Steadman has been involved with the DVAA for more than a decade after joining when they moved to the region. So when the gallery needed a new home, the Steadmans purchased the 55,757-square-foot property at 1 Brattleboro Road that was once the site of the Bernardston Inn, which burned down in February 2002. The Steadmans committed to developing a new space that will house the gallery under a lease agreement.
According to real estate transactions, River Arts LLC bought the 1 Brattleboro Road property from Peter P. Kerber and Beverley C. Kerber for $110,000 in the fall of 2024.
The new gallery spans 3,647 square feet and was built by Christopher Larange of Larange Builders. Chris Steadman said the project moved through the town’s standard permitting process, including review by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board.
The lengthy planning process involved handling environmental regulations, construction challenges and fluctuating building costs brought on by tariffs.
“Contractors couldn’t give estimates because they didn’t know how much they were going to pay for their materials,” Anderson said, referencing the impact of tariffs.
Despite the setbacks, Anderson believes the final location may prove to be even better than originally envisioned. Situated at the intersection of Routes 5 and 10 near the interstate, the gallery will occupy a highly visible spot in the center of Bernardston.
“It’s really in the heart of the village,” she said. “We’re hoping that we will do well there, because people are very welcoming. Everyone’s excited that we’re coming there.”
Bernardston Town Administrator Lou Bordeaux said he believes DVAA’s relocation will be a positive addition for the town, noting that the new gallery will be a welcome asset.
The new location also offers visitors an experience that extends beyond the gallery walls. Anderson noted that nearby restaurants, shops, a brewery and other attractions make Bernardston an appealing destination for a day trip. She highlighted one feature that reflects the organization’s commitment to accessibility: the gallery will maintain a scent-conscious environment by discouraging heavily scented products, making visits more comfortable for people with allergies and environmental sensitivities.
The new building is only slightly larger than the previous gallery and was specifically designed with the organization’s needs in mind. One feature Anderson is particularly excited about is a porch that hosts musicians during events, allowing visitors to gather outside while enjoying live performances.
“It has a porch, which I’m very excited about. … We could have musicians play on it, and people could sit on the lawn and listen to music,” she said.
The move also supports the association’s broader mission of serving artists at every stage of their creative journey. Founded in 1931, DVAA has expanded beyond traditional landscape and still-life exhibits to include themed shows, sculpture, stained glass, fiber arts and educational programming while staying committed to supporting New England artists.
Education remains a central focus. Anderson said the association hosts annual student exhibits, works with local schools and Scouting organizations, offers workshops for all skill levels, and encourages emerging artists by providing opportunities to exhibit alongside experienced creators.
“Some people have never tried art. … It’s on the bucket list. … They try it, and some of them are very good at it,” Anderson said. “For me, it’s about the process rather than the outcome. … It’s good for your heart and soul and mind.”
Appropriately, the inaugural showing at the new gallery will be an open Summer Members Exhibit featuring a record 60 artists, according to Anderson, with an opening reception on Sunday, July 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. Anderson believes the unusually high participation reflects excitement about both the new building and the visibility it is expected to bring.
“It’s an exciting thing that doesn’t happen often,” Anderson shared. “It’s brought in some brand-new artists who have never shown before, and we’ve got some older people who have sort of retired and are coming back.”
Rather than limiting the opening to a juried exhibition, the association intentionally chose a members’ show so that as many artists as possible could participate in the celebration.
“I wanted as many artists as possible to be able to show, to be there for all the excitement,” Anderson said, describing receptions as opportunities for artists to meet visitors, exchange ideas and build community.
Looking ahead, Anderson hopes the relocation will allow DVAA to deepen its partnerships throughout Bernardston by collaborating with schools, senior centers, local businesses and community organizations. While she said she plans to step down as president after this year, she intends to remain involved.
“I’m just hoping within three years that we’re doing a lot more programs with the community,” she said. “We’re going to grow a lot within our programs and our membership within the next two years.”
After the move, the Bernardston gallery will be open on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit deerfieldvalleyart.org.
