Vermont Arts Exchange

Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) is a non-profit community arts organization with a mission of “bringing the arts to people of all ages, abilities and income” founded in 1994. For over 25 years one of their “clients” is The Vermont School for Girls. This partner is a residential treatment and education home for girls suffering from severe emotional and physical trauma (mainly sexual abuse). Currently, they hold 12 art classes a week for the girls. Their new project with the girls, TLC, began in 2013 under the name “The Doll Project”. They call them TLCs…They are plush animals, dolls, monsters, robots and a few tractors all with varying material sewn on.

Matthew Perry explained “What we do is create, teach and engage the community. We work mainly with underserved populations and those in need. I guess we feel it is important to help those less fortunate. This program is 2 fold in the way that the creators (the young girls who are already victims) are in the end helping younger ones that also are victims. It also helps the fireman or policeman in time of need when a child needs comforting.”