The opening of OTR as a small storefront five years ago marked the first step in a larger vision of how food, art, and music would work together to foster and strengthen community. To begin we focused on the food, filling a bakery void that had been missing from Richmond since the closing of The Daily Bread. The move to our new building and addition of the wood fired oven allowed us to expand our offerings and launch “Live at On The Rise” (our evening music series). The café space allows us to show movies, host theatrical performances, bring in the best in local music, and display the work of talented local artists on the walls. Now that we have settled in, we are ready to share the space in yet another way: community art experiences for all ages. Having art workshops at OTR brings us full circle and reestablishes the way in which Judy, Ben, and Raechel originally connected to the community years ago.

HOW IT HAPPENS

Mondays and Tuesdays will be art days at On the Rise. Afternoon sessions will go from 3:00 to 5:00. Snack, instruction and materials are provided. Pre-registration and payment for the sessions is required- see attached sign-up sheet. Evening sessions will be more eclectic affairs. In the evening we will offer everything from movies and theatre performances, to one time works shops, craft nights, and other community events. Some evening events may be free, while others will include a cover charge. A monthly schedule is posted on our website. Check out Ontherisebakery.net for a full view of our hours of operation, calendar for the “Live at On the Rise” music series, and schedule of arts programming.

GET INVOLVED

All art workshops at On the Rise are open to people of all ages. The after school timeslot makes the Monday and Tuesday sessions convenient but not limited to school age children. The evening programs that begin at 7 or 7:30 are open to children but perhaps more suited for an adult schedule. We are committed to our workshops being open for the entire community - we do ask however ,that children under five be accompanied by an adult. If you have ideas for leading a workshop, movie, or other event, PLEASE talk to us. We are open your ideas. E-MAIL US IF YOU HAVE PROGRAM IDEAS TO SHARE

Raechel Barone is a co-owner and baker at On the Rise Bakery. Prior to opening OTR, Raechel taught Kindergarten and first grade in South Burlington where she felt fortunate to be able to incorporate her arts background in a traditional public school setting. As an undergraduate, Raechel concentrated in dance and theatre with a specialization in integrating arts into Early Childhood Curriculum. Raechel’s graduate studies focused on diverse approaches to art instruction with young children. Over the years she has lead childrens’ workshops in clay, puppetry, book making, dance, and musical theatre. Most recently, Raechel is fascinated by the art of baking- and you can find her at OTR everyday!

Ben Bush co-owns and runs On the Rise Bakery with the help of many others. While his most recent efforts have involved bagels, brunch, and wood fired ovens, his earlier credits are more suited for this artistic endeavor. Ben has an extensive background in studio art and theatre design. He has taught art classes at summer camps and been an instructor of scenic and lighting design at Barnard College in New York City. During his time in New York, Ben designed and assisted on numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. The pull from the community where Ben grew up was strong enough to bring him back to Richmond ten years ago. Since returning, Ben has designed and built residential homes and additions as well as the bakery building! Ben enjoys cooking, gardening, playing music, making art, and working hard to make crazy ideas become reality.

Judy Bush has had an artistic presence in the Richmond/Huntington community for the past three decades. She is an accomplished potter, printmaker, papermaker, and baker. Judy is a founding member and current secretary of Huntington Valley Arts and has helped to organize their Living Arts Festival since its inception. In years past you may have known her as the art director and managing director of Camp Exclamation Point. Currently, you can find her at OTR on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings when she puts her artistic talents to work with bread, bagels, muffins, scones, sweetrolls and more as the Early Baker. Judy’s clay work is admired and used everyday in the form of the coffee mugs at OTR!

Chris Billis is famous in some places for her portraits of children, and in Huntington for her Craft Extravaganza camps with Lisa Bouffard. She and Lisa host vacation craft camps and currently run an after school program at CHMS and evening open studio. She’s also famous at Brewster-Pierce school as the mother of Reuben and Eliza, former PIE pres., Girl Scout leader, and the artist in residence who with Alison Forrest facilitated the mural “Foods of Vermont through the Seasons”. You may remember her behind the window of the Daily Bread in the early ‘90s. Chris’s art has taken many forms through the years offering enjoyment and a career spanning two decades. Like many people who work for years alone she’s come to enjoy making things with friends and teaching children.

Lisa Hurst Bouffard grew up sewing with her mother and grandmothers. In fact, one of the machines she used then is still in her home. She is a successful seamstress; you may have seen her ads in the Times Ink or at Richmond Farmers’ Market selling fleece hats, vests, ponchos and crocheted items. Lisa has worked with kids of all ages through her life and has two wonderful kids of her own. She teaches day camps, volunteers at local schools, co-coached Girls on the Run and now coaches Girls on Track. Most recently Lisa and Chris Billis have teamed up. They offer arts and crafts workshops, camps, and crafting evenings in Huntington. She and Chris focus on projects that are fun, interesting, and illustrate the beauty of handwork.