Animals in Middlebury

“The Messenger,’’ by Dana Simson, in her show “the animals are innocent,’’ at the Henry Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vt., through Jan. 11.  The museum says that the exhibit features the mixed-media work of artist, ceramist, author and illustrator Sim…

The Messenger,’’ by Dana Simson, in her show “the animals are innocent,’’ at the Henry Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vt., through Jan. 11.

The museum says that the exhibit features the mixed-media work of artist, ceramist, author and illustrator Simson. “Her ceramic boat sculptures with their animal passengers, along with her paintings of animals, appear whimsical and charming at first glance. However, there's a more serious side to the works, as they're meant to represent the potential effects of climate change on animals.’’

Middlebury is best known as the home of Middlebury College and, especially for the college’s Bread Loaf School of English, a graduate school associated with many celebrated writers, but especially the great poet Robert Frost, who lived part of the year in nearby Ripton, Vt. , in a homestead now owned by MIddlebury College. The area also has many beautiful and highly productive farms. The Green Mountains rise to the east of Middlebury.

Middlebury College, which is considered elite

Middlebury College, which is considered elite

Downtown Middlebury

Downtown Middlebury

Lithograph of Middlebury from 1886 by L.R. Burleigh with list of landmarks

Lithograph of Middlebury from 1886 by L.R. Burleigh with list of landmarks