RARVT has been working to preserve the North Adams Shul Mural. This unique piece of Jewish-American folk art was nearly forgotten until the 1990s, when it was discovered behind the wall of an attic crawlspace in an apartment building in North Adams, Massachusetts. The mural is an artifact of North Adams' little-known history as a center for Jewish and Eastern European culture.

RARVT's goal is to preserve the mural and display its history in a form that is open to the public. One option is to remove the mural wall and relocate it to a museum or cultural center where it can be preserved. Another option is to restore the entire shul building and open it to the public.

Either goal requires years of commitment, teams of experts, and thousands of dollars. RARVT sees its role as that of a promoter and connector. We're reaching out to historians, art preservationists, donors, and the local Jewish community to raise awareness of the mural and build a community that can help save it.

To that end, our video artists, writers, and musicians have created a short promotional video about the mural. We are expanding this into a longer informational video to use as outreach. You can like and share it from our YouTube page:

Check out West Dover pastor Jeremy Kirk and hear about a different kind of Christian--one who actually follows Jesus's teachings to love and care for others, especially the disadvantaged. Jeremy has deep roots in punk and music. Hear him talk about the sounds that inspired his activism and his vocation.

See it on our Virtual Events page or on our YouTube channel, where you can find other interviews and virtual events.

ENIAM rocked the house!
Herbie Littlecreek showed us how it's done!
Third Eye Collective were the hostesses with the mostesses!

And a huge thanks to you, the folks of southern Vermont, who came out to support the great causes of anti-racism, local music, and local artists. Everyone was safe and socially distanced, but all together.

We can't wait for our next event--see you soon!

We're super excited for tomorrow's live music and art event!
There will be indoor space available, but due to Covid restrictions, expect to spend some time outside. Dress for spring weather in Vermont.
See you there, and look for pics, video, and audio on our social media!

During the winter of Covid-19, RARVT conducted interviews with local musicians, artists, and activists of southern Vermont. Check out the first in our series, in which John Langran interviews Jon and Susan Joyce, incredibly talented studio and touring musicians who have worked with some of the biggest names in rock and pop music. After years of working in L.A., Jon and Susan moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, where they hope to continue making music and working with people who promote diversity. Check out the interview on our Virtual Events page!

RARVT continues to make connections with the artist and activist community in Southern Vermont.
Tom Namaya is an author, musician artist, and activist who has built installations around the world, including places of conflict such as Northern Ireland and Palestine. When not traveling for his B4 Peace Project, he makes his home in Southern Vermont. 

RAR VT hopes to work with Namaya Productions soon!

Check out Springfield-area artist and entrepreneur Herbie Littlecreek painting an antique electric organ for Rock Against Racism VT.
See the project at The Void, 109 Main Street in Brattleboro, Vermont.  Look for our merch while you're there!
Music courtesy Wes Stannard & Andrew Whyte