Help a Downtown Landmark — Build B.A.M. Together

Help Save a Downtown Treasure — and Build Bennington’s Creative Future

Imagine the heart of a small town — a place where generations have found inspiration, creativity, and connection — quietly fading away.

In Bennington, Vermont, that place is Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery. For 53 years, Jay and Joan Zwynenburg have been pillars of our downtown and champions of the arts. Their store has been more than a shop — it’s been a gathering place, a source of creativity, and a symbol of what makes small-town America special.

Now, as Jay and Joan retire and navigate serious health challenges, the store faces closure. If it disappears, it’s not just the loss of a beloved business — it’s the loss of part of Bennington’s soul.

But there’s hope. And you can be part of it.

We’re launching the Bennington Artisan Market (B.A.M.) — a bold, community-driven project to save and reimagine this downtown treasure.

B.A.M. will:

- Preserve Jay’s legacy through custom framing and art supplies

- Support Vermont and regional artists with a vibrant artisan marketplace

- Boost our downtown by keeping this vital space open and thriving

Jay’s is currently selling down inventory as it prepares for this transition. Your donation helps us purchase the business, restock with new art supplies, install a modern point-of-sale system, and open the refreshed space as the Bennington Artisan Market.

We have the plan. We have the space. We’re ready to begin.

What we need now is your support. This is the moment to step in.

This is more than saving a store. It’s helping a family. It’s preserving decades of history and creativity. It’s building a future that reflects the spirit of Bennington: resilient, artistic, and deeply rooted in community.

Every donation — no matter the amount — brings us closer.

Whether it’s $10, $53, or $100+, your gift sends a powerful message:

This place matters. This story isn’t over.

Please give today — and help us spread the word.

Together, we can save a treasure, honor a legacy, and build something extraordinary for Bennington’s future.

—Jasen Frederickson

Founding Director, Bennington Artisan Market - B.A.M.