Losing your marbles in Vermont

HomeBlogLosing your marbles in Vermont

One material I know little to nothing about in this business is stone, so when I was told a trip to Gawet Marble & Granite quarry was in order on my recent visit to Vermont, I was actually looking forward to it. Not so much for the technical stuff but for the art program that held residence on the site. Positioned on 200-acres of a former marble quarry and manufacturing site was a sculpture garden and active work spaces for artists— locally, nationally and internationally renowned. Because we were there on a rainy Sunday we only saw a few artists working, but they were tented and tapping away at a seemingly endless supply of excavated and abandoned marble and granite. I’ve never seen marble sculpture outside of a museum or church, so this was really cool to see up close. And despite my best efforts, I learned a little something about marble production too.

This was scattered among the sculptures that lined the road leading up to the quarry entrance.

Known for producing the best marble in the union, Vermont is home to multiple quarries. A form of surface mining, quarrying removes materials that are close to land’s surface, though they often dig below the water table, which creates beautiful lakes and ponds.

The cliff over the water was at least 60 feet high.

For larger pieces used on counter tops and large format tiles, like the ones I saw here, miners drill large holes in the rock, at wide distances apart. We also think we saw compressed water or air devices that could have been used to make very clean cuts through the stone.

The weights on either side are made of... marble!

In the video you can see the size of the marble chunks being removed from the Earth. At the Gawet quarry, we saw a plumb bob next to an excavation area that we assume was also used to transport the Earth chunks with a crane.

Made of... marble!

The amount of material that had been left was astounding. As far as you could see, there were piles and piles of unused marble.

Thrown in the mix is some slate and granite.

It was so abundant, buildings had been constructed from mix-and-match chunks, creating storage structures and work spaces from what was mostly white marble, though we found a little black and green.

Most of the buildings were boarded up. The windows and wood were pretty dilapidated but the marble looked great.
Variation in the stone and block sizing of the buildings was amazing.

What was undeniably my favorite part of the visit was the carving studio and sculpture center that had been set up at the entrance to the site. It was wonderful to see all that material re-purposed to make beautiful and sometimes quirky artwork.

Not sure if this is marble but the texture on the woman's body is really cool.
Marble's flexibility affords intaglio work.

This might be a tree? A work in progress at the very least.

To think this same material built the columns of the Parthenon!

Found this in the quarry. "The elemental spirit these marble quarries always inspire - young and old - alike to fashion its beauty. 2002- Nick"

-Emily

Must Read

Mohawk Builder + Multifamily promotes Made in USA portfolio

Calhoun, Ga.—Mohawk Builder + Multifamily is aiming to build a more sustainable world with a diverse portfolio of carpet, laminated wood and resilient flooring...

Johnsonite named Top Product in Fuse Alliance Supplier Awards

Solon, Ohio—Tarkett’s Johnsonite family of rubber tile and finishing accessories was named Top Product in the Fuse Alliance Supplier Awards during the group’s annual...

WFCA launches SEAL Academy

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has launched the SEAL (Seeking Excellence As Leaders) Academy, a leadership development and certification program billed as a...

Mannington hires award-winning carpet designer

Salem, N.J.—Mannington has appointed Jeanette Himes as manager of residential carpet design. With her extensive experience in carpet design, Himes is set to bring a...

Underlayment: Padding products tout form and function

Underlayment is a crucial part of the flooring installation process. Its benefits include sound absorption, moisture protection, substrate leveling and more.  Choosing the right underlayment...

Southwind names Jim Mahaffey divisional VP

Dalton, Ga.—Jim Mahaffey has been chosen to be the divisional vice president for Southwind's Northeast region of the sales team. Mahaffey joins Southwind after...
Some text some message..
X