Public art has a way of shaping our relationship with place—it invites curiosity, sparks conversation, and turns ordinary moments into encounters with something unexpected. In North Bennington, that invitation arrives every summer in the form of welded steel, carved stone, recycled materials, and the occasional upside-down tree.
As the lilacs fade and the sun starts to set later, the village of North Bennington transforms into one of Vermont’s most unique art destinations. With sculptures sprouting from lawns, gardens, sidewalks, and museum grounds, the town becomes a walkable gallery. This is the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show—better known as NBOSS (pronounced N-Boss). In 2025, it returns for its 28th year of accessible, open-air creativity.
From Humble Beginnings to a Regional Favorite
Founded in 1997, NBOSS began with the goal of bringing art out of the gallery and into the streets. The first show, organized by Bennington College graduate Anthony Cafritz and village residents, featured just a handful of sculptures displayed on village lawns. Nearly three decades later, NBOSS has grown into the longest-running outdoor sculpture exhibition in Southern Vermont, with more than 50 works scattered across the town, and a dedicated following of artists, local residents, and curious visitors.
Opening Day: Art Meets Block Party
This year’s show will kick off on Saturday, June 28, with the Opening Reception and outdoor party from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at 48 Main Street at the Vermont Arts Exchange campus. Expect live music, mingling with artists, food from local vendors, and an exuberant, all-ages crowd. It’s part art opening, part neighborhood block party, and the sculptures are the guests of honor.
A Farewell to Longtime Curator Joe Chirchirillo
Curated for the 13th and final time by sculptor Joe Chirchirillo, the 2025 show will be both a celebration and a send-off. Chirchirillo, a seasoned artist whose own work spans steel and water-based installations, helped shape NBOSS into what it is today: an open, inclusive platform for sculpture in all its forms. Under his guidance, the show has featured everything from polished stone abstracts to kinetic wind-driven forms, and site-specific installations that invite interaction or contemplation or both.
Diverse Voices and Creative Forms
Every year, artists are selected through an open call that welcomes newcomers and professionals alike, resulting in an eclectic and diverse collection. In 2024, that meant welded metal forms alongside found-object totems, tree-hung mirrored mobiles, and tributes to notable figures of the town’s past, like Shirley Jackson. Some pieces were deeply meditative; others, delightfully odd. All invited you to slow down, look closer, and enjoy the show.
Art Across the Village, Downtown Bennington and Museum Grounds
Sculptures are installed across the village—on lawns, near storefronts, in parks, and at local landmarks. NBOSS partners with the Bennington Museum, where additional works are featured throughout the summer on the museum’s ten-acre campus, and with the Better Bennington Corporation to extend installations into downtown, including the scenic Downtown Riverwalk site. Visitors can pick up a map or explore on their own, discovering art where they least expect it: tucked near a train depot, rising from a garden, or perched beside a quiet trail.
A Community-First Approach to Public Art
A large part of NBOSS’s mission is their community-first approach. The show is free, it’s outdoors, and it’s woven into daily life in North Bennington. Organizers have made it their mission to keep the show grounded in local collaboration. Artists help install the work, volunteers assist with logistics, and the public gets to enjoy a summer of sculpture without ever needing to step into a gallery (Although we still recommend visiting Vermont galleries whenever the chance arises!).
And while the show honors the village’s sculptural heritage—North Bennington has long been home to artists like David Smith, Anthony Caro, and Isaac Witkin—it’s also looking toward the future. This year’s lineup will once again highlight underrepresented voices, while proudly supporting New England’s up-and-coming artists and professionals.
So whether you’re an art lover, a casual stroller, NBOSS 2025 promises to be a highlight of the summer. Come walk the village, meet the artists, and discover the power of public art.
For maps, artist updates, and event info, visit nbossvt.com or follow @nbossvt on social media.
