Human and farm animal parallels

Photo by Joan Brace O’Neal, in the show “Unplowed Realities,’’ at Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, Vt., through Nov. 19.

The gallery says:

“Unplowed Realities’’  examines farm, food, and the dairy cow as interconnected systems of survival, care, and sacrifice. The exhibition considers our relationship to land, food, and the economy at a moment when small farmers face mounting pressures to sustain their livelihoods. Unlike industrial-scale operations, small farms prioritize diversification, stewardship, and local food systems, emphasizing resilience, ecological balance, and community nourishment.

“Through the portrait genre, Joan O'Neal engages the concept of the animal gaze, positioning the dairy cow as a subject rather than a resource. Her attentive drawing depictions of cows invite reflection on empathy, labor, and shared vulnerability across species, revealing ethical and visual parallels between animal and human lives.’’

Quantum physics and art

“Chart #3,’’ by John Anderson, in the group show “Stardust,’’ at Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, Vt., through Oct. 31.

The gallery says:

“The Mad 802 Collective presents “Stardust,’’ an exhibition about The Quantum World. This multimedia installation looks at the behavior of photons, particles and mysterious patterns of quantum phenomena, inspiring us to think about the magic of the quantum fundamental basis to reality. Artists open up to their interpretation of the immaterial while engaging with the scales of the unimaginably tiny to the infinitely large.’’

Artists' homage to trees in a state that is mostly trees

“Uproot III” (charcoal on paper), by Julie Comnick, in the group show RISE: Trees; Our Botanical Giants, at Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, Vt., through April 26.

The gallery says the show “features 20 artists paying homage to the tree in the creative process. Artists salute their relationship with wood materials reclaimed or formally crafted and in doing so push the conversation between man-made and nature into one of collaborative celebration.’’

The Mad River.