In the Gallery

Souls of the Skunk River: Bone, Clay, and Fire

Deb Scott

Exhibition Dates: June 2-27, 2026

Artist Reception: Friday, June 5 // 5-8pm

Live music: Lucy Lu and the Nobodies 

The figures I make are imagined, yet familiar. They carry traces of real lives—neighbors, wanderers, family, and the kinds of souls that stay with you long after you’ve met them. Growing up close to the land and the river, in a home filled with collected objects and lived-in stories, shaped how I understand beauty. I am drawn to what is weathered, overlooked, and quietly enduring.

Artist Statement — Deb Scott Souls of the Skunk River: Bone, Clay and Fire
 
I create from memory, instinct, and a lifelong habit of noticing what others pass by.
 
Fire is an essential collaborator in my pit-firing process, leaving its mark in ways I cannot fully control. Bone, clay, and fire each carry their own history—materials shaped by time, use, and transformation—and together they guide the work as much as I do.
 
The figures I make are imagined, yet familiar. They carry traces of real lives—neighbors, wanderers, family, and the kinds of souls that stay with you long after you’ve met them. Growing up close to the land and the river, in a home filled with collected objects and lived-in stories, shaped how I understand beauty. I am drawn to what is weathered, overlooked, and quietly enduring.
 
My surfaces are worn and imperfect. This work is not about refinement—it is about presence. Each piece holds a story, sometimes written, sometimes only felt. Through Souls of the Skunk River: Bone, Clay and Fire, I hope viewers recognize something—someone they’ve known, or perhaps something within themselves—and feel compelled to linger there for a moment.
Artist Bio
Deb Scott is a self-taught artist working across sculpture, painting, and ceramics. Her work, Souls of the Skunk River: Bone, Clay and Fire, explores memory, storytelling, and a deep connection to place.
 
Her practice centers on expressive, imagined figures imbued with a strong emotional presence. These figures are often accompanied by narrative elements that extend their stories beyond the object itself. Rooted in a childhood shaped by nature, animals, and resourcefulness, Scott’s work reflects a life lived in close relationship with the land.
 
Working extensively in clay, Scott incorporates pit-firing techniques that embrace unpredictability and the transformative effects of smoke and flame. Her process is deeply tactile and personal, often involving handmade tools crafted from bone—including deer and snapping turtle—as well as wood and other found materials.
 
Scott maintains an active studio practice and shares her work through exhibitions and on Instagram (@souls_of_the_skunk_river). 

Up Next:

July 2026

Cory Christiansen

Drifting Upstream

July 2-30, 2026

Reception: Friday, July 3 // 5-8pm

Live music: Jefferson Connection

 

Mini Gallery

A smaller, more intimate extension of our Main Gallery showcasing local, emerging artists.

June 2026

ACB Private Collection Show + Sale

For years, the Art Center of Burlington has cared for and displayed artwork from its permanent collection. This special Mini Gallery exhibition offers a rare opportunity to purchase select pieces that have been part of ACB's collection for many years.

As we continue to grow and evolve, we're making room for new additions while giving these works the chance to be enjoyed in new homes. The exhibition features a variety of artwork, each with its own history and connection to the Art Center.

Whether you're a longtime supporter, a collector, or simply looking for a unique piece of art, we invite you to stop in, explore the collection, and take home a piece of ACB history.

Up Next:

In the Mini Gallery

Artscapes

2026 Gallery Schedule

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