Eight new artist-designed banners are now on display along Bridge Street in Waitsfield as the sixth annual Banners on Bridge Street public art exhibition returns for the summer season.
The outdoor exhibition features original artwork by Mad River Valley artists displayed on custom-fabricated banners mounted to village lampposts. The banners will remain on view through mid-October, offering residents and visitors a free public art experience in the center of Waitsfield.
A Meet the Artists reception will take place Monday, July 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., hosted jointly by Artisans Gallery and The Village Grocery.
Since launching the project six years ago, Waitsfield artist Bette Ann Libby has organized Banners on Bridge Street as a community-based public art initiative that transforms reused materials into large-scale outdoor installations.
Each year, Libby collects and sews upcycled banner materials to fit the village lampposts, distributes discarded house paint to participating artists and coordinates creation of original works for public display.
Over the life of the project, more than 40 Mad River Valley artists have contributed artwork. Previous exhibitions have featured artists ranging from established local creators to children and first-time participants, bringing color and seasonal energy to Bridge Street while expanding access to public art in the community.
Libby said the project is rooted in a belief that art should be visible, accessible and integrated into everyday public spaces.
“Banners on Bridge Street was created to support artists and create opportunities for free public art exhibitions,” Libby said. “Using reclaimed materials and community participation has become an important part of the project’s identity.”
The 2026 exhibition features work by:
- Loida Alvarez
- John Anderson
- Katie Babic
- Rita Doyle Ioannidis
- Beth Kendrick
- Macy Moulton
- Bette Ann Libby
- Tommy O’Grady
- Julian Purinton
The annual installation has continued to grow since its early years and has received recurring approval and support to return to Bridge Street each summer season.
Organizers encourage community members and visitors to stroll Bridge Street, view the artwork and attend the July 14 reception to meet participating artists and learn more about the project.
For additional information about Banners on Bridge Street, contact Bette Ann Libby at
