the artistic possibilities
of designing with nature

Upcoming events

January 1, 2024 from 10:45 am

We are extending the display of Robert Shannons retrospective untill the end of May 2024.  We invite interested partys to contact us and schedule a visit while the broad spectrum of our founder's contribututions are on view.  We can be reached at info@4cfoundation.org   For more information on the show please click this link.

 

Design and construct the man-made environment to be in harmony with the natural environment.

Past events

July 29, 2023
A celebration of Bob's life with friends and family.  Please click here for more information and to rsvp.
July 28, 2023, 4:00 pm to July 30, 2023, 12:00 pm

 

AN ARCHITECTURE OF CIRCUMSTANCE 

Launching a new gallery and retrospective exhibit of the art and architecture of 

Robert Foote Shannon. For details and directions, click here.

 
September 10, 2022
Steven Fellows will lead a “Bio-reactor” Workshop on Sept. 10, 2022 at 2 p.m. Attendees will build a high temperature composting machine that can handle clean-up of large quantities of organic matter. It is a low maintenance design constructed from inexpensive materials. Air is introduced to create aerobic digestion and generate temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds in short order.
Please RSVP or direct inquiries to Steven at gardenmaster58@gmail.com or (802)875-2194.
This is a free event, small donations are accepted by the foundation to further environmental missions.
May 1, 2021

We hope everyone is in good health and as safe as possible during this pandemic. We also wish a quick recovery to anyone who has contracted the virus.  We eagerly anticipate a day when we can return to our full schedule of summer events.  Summer of 2021 will still see the opening of the gardens to self-guided tours as well as guided tours for small groups by appointment (802-875-2194).  We have been using this time to focus on the construction of some major improvements to the facility that will dramatically enhance the experience of a visit to the foundation in the future.  Please click here to see more about the new additions and changes. 

March 21, 2020, 12:00 am to June 30, 2020, 10:15 pm
The Foundation, like many non-profits will have a delayed schedule for visitors, which will depend on the duration of this pandemic. The gardens will be open after May 15th to individual visits with six foot distancing, in groups of no more than 4, unless otherwise stated on this website. We wish all well.
September 29, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
September 22, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
The symposium will be chaired by Robert DuGrenier. Open to the public. The dialogue will focus on the ethical implication inherent with implementing solutions to various critical sustainability issues.
September 7, 2019, 5:00 pm to October 6, 2019, 5:00 pm
August 18, 2019 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
A panel discussion to address The Fourth Corner Foundation's Rescape Project.  The panel of experts from various professions will be moderated by Robert Foote Shannon.  The conference is open to all interested parties.  Lunch will be provided. The format will be dynamic with input encouraged from the public.
August 10, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Gallery Opening featuring the work of writer and illustrator C.W. Norris Brown. Original art work for his book, "Did Tiger Take The Rain" on exhibit.  Group show featuring photography of Lawrence Linder, painting of Robert Foote Shannon, and others.
July 21, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Bring 2 items you have made for review by fellow artists.  The critique session will be followed by a BBQ.  Limited to 15.  E-mail 4thcornerfoundation@gmail.com if you plan to attend.  Include your name and contact information.  Please put "July 21st Art Critique" in the subject line.
June 15, 2019, 5:00 pm to July 24, 2019, 5:00 pm
The graphic art of Rick Veitch, noted comic book creator working since 1973.  Also current student work from Castleton University Art Department.
October 13, 2018 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Six Seasons of Gardening
September 15, 2018, 5:00 pm to October 15, 2018, 12:00 am
Be here Now and now again. Art in the present.
August 4, 2018, 5:00 pm to September 8, 2018, 8:45 am
Philadelphia's Indepent Casting comes to the 4th Corner Foundation
July 7, 2018, 5:00 pm to July 30, 2018, 5:15 pm

Openening Reception for our current show.  Starts at 5:00. Drinks and snacks.

 

June 28, 2018
TBA
June 9, 2018 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Claudia West leads a group of Master Gardeners, and others in a demonstration garden creation, using new scientific, sustainable methods of design.
September 24, 2017
Active artists from the surrounding areas are invited to a group critique and barbeque on Sept 24th at 1:00.  Open to all interested artists.  Call 802 875 2194 or email us here to rsvp.
August 27, 2017
A presentation by Robert Shannon explaining the design and construction of small, economical air collectors added to a home to reduce heating bills and fossil fuel use.
August 5, 2017, 5:00 pm to September 15, 2017, 1:00 am

Group art show opening reception at the foudation on Aug 5th and available to view until Sept 15th.  A sample of this work will be available to view at the River Garden Gallery in Brattleboro.

July 29, 2017, 1:00 pm to July 30, 2017, 4:00 pm

The Re-scape project is an innovative plan to use the suburban landscape as a way to produce viable food crops.

This two day event will discuss the viability and the potential of this ecoligically responsible plan. We will be covering everything from the relationships and layout of plant species to promoting the project to a diverse audience.

July 16, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Guided by those who created it
July 1, 2017, 11:45 am to July 31, 2017, 1:00 am
We have rented the back wall of the River Garden Gallery on Main St. in Bralttleboro.  This month we have an exhibit introducing the foundation and a sample of our permanant colection.
June 10, 2017, 5:00 pm to July 31, 2017, 6:00 pm

This show will contain work from 7 artists and will focus on navigating the vast relationship between self, nature  and process through several mediums including paint, glass, and mixed media.  

August 20, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

August 20, 2016,  from 1 pm to 5 pm we hosted a one day conference followed by a reception.

Four long-established architects explored recent projects that contain innovative ideas in the integration of high conservation and alternate energy solutions with real world conditions and constraints.

 

This was a free event sponsored by the Foundation. 

July 23, 2016, 5:00 pm to August 14, 2016, 5:00 pm

“Adept Pursuits - Accomplished Work” consisted of artwork by 8 artists including Cynthia Rosen, Riki Moss, Carolyn Enz Hack, Maria Kretschmann, Katie Loesel, Sabrina Fadial, Erika Lawlor Schmidt and Kristen Partesi.  Curated by Matthew Brader.

Reception for art opening was held Sat July 23rd at 5pm.

June 25, 2016, 5:00 pm to July 21, 2016, 5:00 pm

New Acquisitions from Santa Fe and mono-prints by Paul Evelti (for sale to benefit the Foundation).

 


bob at work

 

This is not an easy announcement to make.  My head down, deep breaths…

 On February 2nd 2023, Our founder Robert Shannon lost his long battle with lung cancer and passed away.  He died in New Mexico, at home, cared for by his life partner Steven Fellows and surrounded by loved ones. 

 In a world where so many aspire to shed light on new paths forward, Bob’s passing leaves a void once filled by a man that continually strived to show us that our future is our own. It doesn’t need to be determined by decisions based on compliance, convenience or ignorance.  His creations serve as a reminder that fruitful design and implementation require curiosity, play, and humor.  He held experimentation and a fearless but thoughtful approach to mistakes as a top priority throughout his process.  He saw possibilities where others found limitations.  He was propelled by an insatiable urge to create, to spend time in that liminal space of directing expression through problems and solutions.  Quite a void I say, quite a void.

 In Vermont we are currently in the process of putting the finishing touches on the new art gallery in preparation for a retrospective/memorial art show to be held on July 29th.  For details on the memorial at 11am click here.  For details on the gallery opening and retrospective, please click here. It is painful and impossible to imagine this reveal without Bob, but we know it is exactly what he would have wanted.

         -Matt Brader-