Immersive Open Studio Experience
The Dream Theatre at Rock n Rolling Hills Farm Opens Its Doors for a Whimsical, Immersive Open Studio Experience
Barnard, VT — October 3 & 4, 9 AM–5 PM — This fall, artist and creature designer Kris Manning invites the public into The Dream Theatre, a one-of-a-kind working studio nestled within Rock n Rolling Hills Farm, for Vermont Crafts Council’s Open Studio Weekend, Loop #10.
Blurring the line between fine art, fabrication, and cinematic world-building, Manning’s work transforms a traditional Vermont horse barn into an imaginative, immersive environment filled with handcrafted creatures, sculptural inventions, and richly detailed visual worlds. Visitors will step inside a space where art feels as though it has emerged from a film set. Each piece is meticulously built with the same level of craftsmanship and storytelling found in high-end creature design for the screen.
Known for work in the film industry, including creature fabrication for major franchises, Manning brings that same approach to original artwork. The studio showcases a wide range of disciplines from sculptural creatures and kinetic pieces to paintings, mixed-media works, and experimental builds that often incorporate reclaimed and repurposed materials sourced locally in Vermont.
The Open Studio offers a rare opportunity to experience the creative process up close. Guests can explore the evolving world of Manning’s upcoming projects, including a large scale immersive exhibition currently in development, as well as a growing field guide of original creatures that expands the mythology of The Dream Theatre.
At its core, the work is rooted in curiosity, wonder, and the idea that imagination can be made tangible. Each piece invites viewers not just to observe, but to enter into hidden systems, unseen worlds, and stories waiting to be discovered.
Event Details:The Dream Theatre at Rock n Rolling Hills Farm, 707 Bowman Road, Barnard, VT
Dates: October 3 & 4, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Loop #10
Visitors are encouraged to come curious.