by Christopher Byrne

Art Map Burlington welcomes two new venues this month: an artist studio-gallery in the Burlington Town Center and a gallery on Flynn Avenue in the South End Arts District.

After a fifteen year absence from Burlington, abstract artist Stephen Zeigfinger opened Abstractions Gallery (14), a gallery-cum-studio, on the upper level of the Burlington Town Center in February. Zeigfinger, whose artistic career spans over 60 years, is a visceral painter in the tradition of Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell, with color and energy central to the work. During his absence, Zeigfinger lived and worked in Spain and Hungary, where he operated two galleries. He creates new work in the gallery and artists and art lovers are invited to stop by and meet the artist. In addition to the original artwork, Zeigfinger also sells 19th century prints and other graphic artifacts. Abstractions Gallery is open daily, and the grand opening will be on Thursday, March 10th, 5-7PM. The gallery is next to American Eagle Outfitters. (image: Ice by Stephen Zeigfinger)

Encounterworks Productions is an art event production company specializing in professional art presentation and logistical planning for independent productions, owned by Maya Urbanowicz. In February, she opened the EP Salon (36) at 180 Flynn Avenue, next to Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace. With a mission of bridging creative communities across discipline and locality, EP Salon works with regional, national and international artists. EP Salon’s mission is to foster creative expression through workshops and dialogue in the arts through rotating exhibitions and event productions. For the Grand Opening Show, which runs through March 25th, EP Salon presents an all Vermont show with work by Emily Eastridge, Kevin Donegan, Eric Roy, Don Ramey, Estefania Puerta, Michael Nordstrom, Alissa Faber and Maya Urbanowicz.