ENOSBURGH — A new executive director is at the helm of Cold Hollow Sculpture Park.
Robin Schatell joins the park with more than 30 years of experience in arts programming and public engagement, and she is ready to lead the park into its next chapter.
“It’s everything I’ve been working towards, which is a public art park,” Schatell said. “Public space is really vital to communities and bringing people together without the barriers of traditional arts venues.”
A long-time resident of New York City, Schatell is looking forward to spending the summer in Vermont. Her career has been defined by arts programming in city spaces, but she is excited to transfer her skills to the rural landscape.
Robin Schatell is the new executive director of Cold Hollow Sculpture Park. Her prior leadership roles include director of public programs & community engagement at Van Alen Institute and Madison Square Park Conservancy; executive producer for the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene; executive director for the River To River Festival; and director of programming for Riverside Park at NYC Parks and Recreation.
Sculptor David Stromeyer and writer Sarah Stromeyer founded Cold Hollow Sculpture Park in 2014 in the hills of Enosburgh. From June to October, visitors can walk among David’s 70 sculptures spanning five decades.
“These 42 acres of public land filled with art, surrounded by a beautiful landscape — my job is to continue to facilitate that relationship,” Schatell said.
While she has spent time working for traditional arts venues, like museums and performance halls, public space is Schatell’s true love.
In response to the shutdown of performing arts venues during COVID-19, she founded Mov!ng Culture Projects, a consultancy which produced more than 100 arts events across all five New York City boroughs—helping restore connection and vibrancy during a period of isolation.
“I love it. I absolutely love it,” she said. “I love the freedom of it. I love the openness of it. Sometimes I go into a theater and I’m like, ‘What am I doing in here?’”
Schatell’s first major initiative at Cold Hollow Sculpture Park will be leading the park’s 2026 season, which opens June 6. The season will feature the launch of “Amongst the Sculptures,” the park’s public programming series, which will include the unveiling of new sculptures by David.
This season also includes the premiere of the park’s first-ever artist commission, a site-specific musical work by composer Phil Acimovic. Titled “Tuning, Timing, and Resonance,” the composition is inspired by the park’s landscape and acoustics and will be performed by Acimovic and four other musicians Aug. 15.
“We feel most fortunate to now have Robin’s depth and breadth of experience, her bold vision and vigorous enthusiasm guiding the park’s future,” Sarah Stromeyer, chair of the park’s board of directors, said.
The Messenger spoke more with Schatell to learn more about her professional experience and vision for Cold Hollow. Her answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What drew you to a career in the arts?
A: I come from a family of artists, photographers and theater people. My dad used to take me to the theater when I was a kid, and I just fell in love with it.
I did an internship when I was in college at a Broadway producer’s office, and that was thrilling. And then magically, beautifully, I fell into what we call in New York City the downtown arts community.
Q: Can you tell me more about why you love public art?
A: I think the beauty of the park is there are no expectations. When you go into a museum, I think sometimes people get nervous and they think, ‘Okay, I’m in a museum. I have to know what I’m doing.’ Here, you can just sit for hours in a chair, stare into the distance and maybe you’ll notice something about the sculpture, maybe you’ll walk around. It’s just a really contemplative space, and I think we need that.
There’s a need and desire for people to be connected to each other. Public space, I think, is a way to do that. Relationship building is always the work I’ve always been doing. I’m very interested in people.
Q: What are your ideas for bringing new visitors into the park?
A: Looking to the future, we should be collaborating with local arts organizations and local artists. Collaboration works because you’re giving artists opportunities to make work, and you’re bringing in their friends and fans and their audiences, and then you’re introducing those people to your park. So it’s a win, win.
Some ideas include expanding our artist in residence program and organizing events that include other industries. How about beer brewers? Cheesemakers? There is cross-pollination to be had between food and the arts.
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