The Carving Studio & Sculpture Center in West Rutland, Vermont, has entered a new chapter under the leadership of Executive Director Noel Sinozich, who recently stepped into the role following the retirement of longtime director Carol Driscoll. Sinozich marked his arrival with the unveiling of two new 800-square-foot timber-framed pavilions, symbolizing both continuity and innovation at the renowned sculpture facility. The leadership transition also brought new Board of Trustees President Jeff Yates and Vice President Marianne Klimchuk to the organization.
"We have a new director, we have a new president and vice president of the board. It's a really fun reset moment. It's really exciting that you come into this place that has all this history, and even now you'll see alumni who have been coming here for 20 years," Sinozich explained. His appointment represents more than just a change in leadership – it signals a strategic shift toward expanding the studio's reach and impact in the local community.
Sinozich brings a unique background to the position, having worked extensively in finance with companies including Boston Globe Media and its umbrella companies as a business and financial analyst. His strong organizational management skills are expected to complement the artistic mission of the studio as it seeks to grow its programming and community outreach initiatives.
A primary focus for the new leadership team is strengthening connections with surrounding neighborhoods and expanding the studio's role as a community resource. "The board brought me on to grow the offerings of the studio. They want to do more for the local community of Rutland and West Rutland, neighboring Castleton, all the other towns as well," Sinozich said. "Do more stone programs, do more metal programs, bring in new mediums, get new equipment – you know, just be able for the studio to really kind of put itself in a place where it is at the forefront of, if you want to learn a really high barrier to entry form of sculpture, this is where you come."
The studio has already launched several community engagement projects that exemplify this vision. The Downtown Rutland Sculpture Trail features multiple artists creating marble monuments honoring notable Rutland figures, while the Stone Bench Project brings together local teenagers to work with limestone, creating benches for neighboring towns. These initiatives demonstrate the studio's commitment to making sculpture accessible to broader audiences while contributing tangible benefits to the region.
"I think our biggest thing is we want to make sure that people in this community, in West Rutland, know that this is a resource for them, too," Yates emphasized. "If we can reach out to the community, that's what I would want to do. I feel like they're right down there. I want to bring them up here. When I say to people, 'Oh, I'm the president of a carving studio,' and they go, 'There's a carving studio?' And I go, 'Yes! You should look it up, you should come here.'"
Longtime Board Member Carolyn Enz Hack echoed this sentiment, stating, "We feel like we're an underutilized asset for the community. We hope to see more people who live in the area come and visit us, come to our parties, come to walk in the sculpture garden." This perspective reflects a broader recognition that the studio has significant untapped potential to serve as a cultural hub for the region.
One of Sinozich's key priorities involves expanding programming beyond the traditional summer season. Currently, most activities are concentrated between June and September, with limited offerings in May and October. "The key thing for me right now is to provide more programming year-round," he explained. "I've been working on making sure that the insulation and heating systems are in place, and all that, so we can do some stuff in the winter."
The new pavilions unveiled last Friday represent a significant infrastructure improvement that supports these expansion goals. Originally planned and largely constructed under Driscoll's direction, Sinozich saw the project through to completion. The structures replace inadequate plastic tents that previously provided insufficient protection from weather conditions. "We used to always be underneath these little plastic tents. They leak, they really don't keep you cool in the summer. As the sun came in, you tried to hide somewhere in the shade. Everybody tries to get to one side because the sun slants in one way," Yates recalled.
The new pavilions are equipped with sophisticated infrastructure designed specifically for sculpture work. "Stone carvers use a lot of power, so each of the posts of the pavilions has its own dedicated circuit and air, and each of the pavilions has an underground air feed that powers their pneumatic tools, air chisels, and just makes the work so much faster," Sinozich detailed. "Being able to get everybody the right amount of air and power in a place that's right by their workspace, so they're not tripping on hoses and stuff like that, provides not only just a more pleasant experience, but a safer one."
The second pavilion, positioned behind the main studio, is specifically designed for welding and metalwork. Its outlets accommodate heavy-duty metal welding and power tool usage, creating a seamless environment for students and instructors during programs and classes. This expansion into metalwork represents part of the studio's broader effort to diversify its offerings beyond traditional stone carving.
Sinozich also discussed plans to develop partnerships with university sculpture programs, both locally and nationally, focusing on stone work. Many university programs struggle to provide stone carving opportunities due to the material's weight and accessibility challenges. "I'm already in talks with professors to reach this goal," he noted, suggesting that such partnerships could provide valuable educational opportunities while introducing new participants to the studio.
Retiring director Carol Driscoll reflected on the community aspect that draws people back to the studio year after year. "People come here, and then they really just love the community. I mean, really come back for the community as much as the classes, but that really helps, you know, if you can get more people at a time, because we'll run courses with whatever number," she observed.
The leadership transition has generated considerable optimism among board members and staff. Vice President Klimchuk expressed confidence in Sinozich's vision and capabilities: "He's a visionary, he's got great finance skills. He sees the great potential of this organization that we've all seen. He can really take it to the next level. He's got such a can-do attitude."
This optimism extends throughout the organization, creating what Sinozich describes as a positive momentum. "We're really excited about what the future brings, and broadly speaking, it's just the kind of energy that begets energy. It's an exciting time," he concluded. With new leadership, improved facilities, and expanded community focus, the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center appears positioned for significant growth while maintaining its commitment to artistic excellence and community service.
