Artists Celebrate 100 Years of Vermont State Parks

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Vermont’s state parks: Charlotte’s Mount Philo State Park was established in 1924, and in the following century, 54 more protected areas for swimming, hiking and camping were added. Working with artists from Green Mountain and Vermont Parks Forever, Burlington-based boutique Common Deer is celebrating the milestone with a series of prints that highlight these natural wonders.

The project, titled Vermont Parks Collection, currently features 27 prints that capture the wild beauty of the state. The plan is to visit every park in Vermont, but Common Deer owner Sarah Beal is taking her time—she wants to give artists time to create meaningful works. The collection was launched in 2019 with Beal’s goal to “help residents celebrate the outdoors.” Artists featured include Casey Callahan, Dylan Fant, Elisa Järnefelt, and Phoebe Lo.

Working with local artists and organizations allows Beal to give back to the state that sponsors her store. So far, the parks fundraiser has paid out more than $20,000 to Vermont artists, Beal said, and donated about $10,000 to Vermont Parks Forever, which supports state parks.

“With these prints, we had the opportunity to collaborate with a range of artists and be part of a place-based celebration,” Beal said.

The first prints depict a single park, and the last three editions commemorate the 100th anniversary. Spending time in the parks is a must for artists—whether they’re working on a park they know or using the design as a road trip marker.

Burlington artist Dean Liebau, an avid nature lover, said his work about Groton’s Stillwater State Park was “a good opportunity to go there.” Indeed, he captured his impressions of the road trip in a vintage print of a station wagon with a canoe parked by a lake. It stands out with its woodland color palette and detailed linework.

Stylistic and creative freedom is important to Beal; she hopes to showcase the unique talents of each participating artist. As such, Common Deer intentionally doesn’t give too many clues.

“It’s not often that you get that kind of freedom,” Liebau noted admiringly.

When Tyler Elise Blinderman of Morrisville received a list of available parks from Common Deer, she was excited to spot Elmore State Park. “I jumped at it because I had a very personal experience with it,” she explained. Blinderman’s print features her signature typography and whimsical style, combining iconic and, as she put it, “hidden” references. Those who have visited Elmore will recognize the fire tower immediately, but only those who Very Those familiar with the area will recognize the balanced rock formation, created by post-glacial glaciation, that is located along the trail.

Beal hopes these personal touches will appeal to a wide range of Vermonters, each with their own relationship with a favorite park or two. She’s noticed that some customers follow the collection and are excited to see what comes next.

Liebau and Blinderman contributed to the anniversary print. Liebau depicts Vermont wildlife looking up at the sky, nodding to a year of exciting celestial events: April’s eclipse, this year’s aurora borealis. Blinderman’s design features a Nalgene water bottle covered in stickers from state parks across the state.

Highlighting the 100th anniversary of Vermont State Parks is a continuation of what Common Deer has been working on for the past five years — celebrating Vermont’s natural spaces and the people who love them.