Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

'Evolving Patterns'

An exhibit honoring Charles Darwin the year of his 200th birthday is an inspired idea, and one that drew a variety of responses. On view through December 23 at the Jackson Gallery at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theatre, the aptly named exhibit includes oil and watercolor paintings, photographs, prints and collages from 22 local artists. It was economist E.F. Schumacher, not the naturalist Darwin, who told us “small is beautiful,” but the curators of “Evolving Patterns” apparently agree: The works in the show are small and affordable (hint, hint). Call it survival of the wallet.