— by Duncan Green

6/18/25

Springfield, VT — Gene Parulis of Landmark College always loved natural photography. The humanities professor had a passion for capturing shots of wildlife, still images of notable landscapes, and, most of all, enhancing these photos using digital software. Like many part-time, local artists however, Parulis struggled to find a place to display his work.

After learning about his artistic skills, a colleague encouraged Parulis to get in touch with the Gallery at the Vault, a hybrid store and museum of fine arts and crafts in downtown Springfield, Vermont. The “hidden gem” serves as one of the only displays in the area exclusively for local artists. Like many in the region, Parulis had never heard of the store, but was excited to check it out.

Now, more than 15 years later, the Brattleboro-based artist has ventured to the gallery on numerous occasions to display pieces captured from across the globe. Last week, Parulis made the trip to the Vault to add photographs he’s captured—from his backyard to China—for the shop’s annual Flower show.

Gene Parulis poses with his pieces for this summer’s Flower Show. All photos by Duncan Green.

When entering the Main Street storefront, you’re greeted by an array of arts and crafts, from small, $5-10 handmade trinkets to masterful, museum-worthy paintings. If Marilyn Miller, Beth Ezold and Randi Flamino, the Vault’s main employees, aren’t at the counter ready to greet you with a witty remark, they are probably in the back room, hanging new pieces or helping an artist take an old set down. Even when the women at the counter are wrapped up, they love nothing more than giving a new customer a tour. Each piece has a story that goes with it, so you’ll want to set aside some time for your visit. It is part museum, after all.

As a credited Vermont State Craft Center, the Vault’s primary objective is to uplift community artists and give them a place to receive recognition for their work, floor manager Miller says. The space on Main Street used to be a local bank; it opened in 1907 and still houses an early 20th century style vault in its main room — hence the gallery’s name. The chamber that used to house money and precious items now holds children’s crafts, handmade games, and “fiber art.”

“You come in here and you look at what people do, and it feeds your soul, it feeds your own ideas,” Ezold says. “We never quite know what's coming in, which is kind of exciting. It gives people of the community a feel of being part of the art world.”

Beth Ezold, Marilyn Miller, and Randi Flamino (left to right), the gallery’s main staff.

The gallery is divided into two main quadrants, with the front displays containing juried pieces and the back “Open Wall” for any artist to present their handiwork. The main displays, which generally rotate around fourx artists' collections annually, are judged and approved by a jury of five local artists, says Miller. The jurors review the work for its quality, style, and framing, and once approved can remain on display for months.

Unlike most other fine arts displays, the Vault will accept any local artist’s work for the Open Wall — regardless of experience. Some of Miller and Ezold’s favorite pieces are created by elementary and middle school students in the Springfield School District. For many of these young artists — not to mention other community members — the Open Wall is the first public place outside of school to display their work publicly.

So far this year, the gallery has already hosted two of its four annual Open Wall shows. Its “Treasures of the Earth” display concludes July 16, and drop-offs for the “Stepping into Nature” show begin a week later. During the nonshow season, in February, the gallery puts on the kids’ show. “They get to see their work up there and show their parents. It’s fantastic!” Flamino says. “It's such a good introduction to art outside of art class.”

“The Vault,” originally built for the early 20th century bank—and the gallery’s namesake.

From young developing artists to local professionals, the Vault displays work of all skill levels. Most recently, Springfield professional artist Rick Hearn shared his jury-approved “Put a Woman in Charge” collection, a series of abstract portraits of important and notable female leaders from across the globe who inspire him. From icons like American Olympic gymnast Simone Biles to a caring woman who feeds starving children in her community whom Hearn met while traveling in Africa, the collection is meant to demonstrate powerful, influential women Hearn wishes to honor.

As a local artist, Hearn considers himself lucky to have found such a niche community to celebrate his work — he recognizes that in remote rural areas, it’s not easy to come by such opportunities. “I live five miles from (the Vault), there really couldn’t be a better option for me,” Hearn says.

For people wishing to hone their art skills, the gallery hosts regular workshops throughout the year, usually once or twice a month. From calligraphy to fabric bowl weaving to watercolor, Miller says her team hopes to offer a wide array of possible crafts for potential artists in the community. Artists interested in teaching classes can pitch their ideas through the gallery’s website.

The Vault has just launched  its annual Flower Show, featuring paintings, photos, and flower arrangements from multiple artists in the region. Parulis, one of this year’s featured artists, is excited to share new abstract blurring effects he has learned to create by jumping and quickly moving his camera mid-shot. The show, centered around community collaboration and pieces based on the beauty of blooming flowers, is really what the gallery is all about.

“We're the only (fine arts center) in Springfield. We are the town’s gift shop. We offer quality, and it's Vermont made. It’s not coming from somewhere else, it’s here. And that’s important to people,” Miller says.

Duncan Green grew up in Plainfield and went to Lebanon High School. He’s now a rising junior at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, studying journalism and history, and served as news editor this past semester for The Daily Orange*, SU’s independent student newspaper. He is Daybreak’s first summer reporting intern.*