VT Folk Artist Stephen Huneck Dead
January 9, 2010 8:51 AM   Subscribe

Despondent at having to lay off staff, Stephen Huneck took his own life Friday. Perhaps not well-known outside of Vermont, Stephen Huneck dedicated his life to celebrating the bonds between people and dogs. He credited his dogs with helping him survive and recover from a serious illness. Half of the proceeds from his art sales go to the Chittenden County Humane Society. His Dog Studio and Dog Chapel are open to dogs (as well as humans), and they are free to roam the buildings and land. Treats are always available for the dogs.

The Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury is a favorite stop for dog lovers. A simple, small chapel filled with notes, photos, and remembrances of dogs past. We would always make a stop here on the way to visit relatives in NH. Stephen and Gwen made it a very special place of love and acceptance.

Previously: All dogs go to Heaven. Well, unless they're Jewish. Or Muslim. Or whatever.
posted by paddbear (32 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
What a sad story...a shame that he was able to help so many others but couldn't get the help he needed. And its always terrible when animals lose powerful advocates like him.


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posted by vito90 at 8:59 AM on January 9, 2010


. Will give my dogs extra treats today.
posted by jkaczor at 9:03 AM on January 9, 2010


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so, so sad.
posted by CitizenD at 9:04 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by fore at 9:05 AM on January 9, 2010


Oh damn. His "Sally" books were wonderful children's literature adults could also enjoy. Seems like he was a genuine mensch, too.

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posted by fourcheesemac at 9:08 AM on January 9, 2010


I wish I would have gone to visit with my labs. This is so sad.
posted by 6:1 at 9:12 AM on January 9, 2010


I forgot to add a link to the local "independent" paper, Seven Days, blog post and video interview with Stephen Huneck done earlier this year.
posted by paddbear at 9:13 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by prettymightyflighty at 9:33 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by zarah at 9:48 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by twins named Lugubrious and Salubrious at 9:59 AM on January 9, 2010


How sad. We visited the museum on a family trip in 2005 and it was really an experience. A treasure. Very sad.
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posted by ameliajayne at 10:21 AM on January 9, 2010


“Welcome all creeds, all breeds. No dogmas allowed,” reads the sign outside.
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posted by e.e. coli at 10:26 AM on January 9, 2010 [1 favorite]


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When do we see the Goldman traders committing suicide?
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 10:41 AM on January 9, 2010 [7 favorites]


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posted by dog food sugar at 10:49 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by dbiedny at 10:58 AM on January 9, 2010


I hope that his dream of the dog chapel lives on. It is a wonderful place.

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posted by meinvt at 11:00 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by ceri richard at 11:03 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by localroger at 11:30 AM on January 9, 2010


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posted by amyms at 12:18 PM on January 9, 2010


Like many spots in my own backyard, the dog chapel is somewhere I've intended to visit, but not gotten around to yet. I hope it stays open; it'd be very sad indeed to see such a wonderful manifestation of Huneck's work die, too.

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posted by lovermont at 12:19 PM on January 9, 2010


Very sad, I never remember having heard of him, but looking at his art it seems oddly familiar...and teary eye inducing because of his death and remembering all the dogs I've known that have also passed.
posted by melissam at 2:04 PM on January 9, 2010


A friend of dogs is a friend of mine.

Thanks for the post, paddbear, and thank you Stephen for all the good things you've done.
posted by belvidere at 2:11 PM on January 9, 2010


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A family member lives near St Johnsbury, and our extended family always makes a point to go to the Dog Chapel. We were going to go last week actually, but figured the weather was crummy and we would just go this summer instead. I hope they're able to keep it open.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:53 PM on January 9, 2010


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posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:21 PM on January 9, 2010


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So sad. He brought joy to people (and dogs) from all over, and we'll really miss his zany and gentle spirit in Vermont.
posted by GodricVT at 5:53 PM on January 9, 2010


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posted by Pragmatica at 6:42 PM on January 9, 2010


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posted by fairywench at 6:45 PM on January 9, 2010


Oh, dear. How sad. The Dog Chapel is such an unusual place, and has brought joy to so many.
posted by Sidhedevil at 6:50 PM on January 9, 2010


Oh man. My late father-in-law had a CD cabinet made by Huneck. It was in the shape of a nun. Rather strange actually, but whimsical. We visited his gallery a few years ago.

Sad.
posted by bondcliff at 9:04 PM on January 9, 2010


Fuck, 2010. Just...fuck. While living in VT, I meant to get up there with my dog and never got around to it. I really hope it stays open.

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posted by youcancallmeal at 9:52 PM on January 9, 2010


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posted by Ink-stained wretch at 10:08 PM on January 9, 2010


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posted by fremen at 10:44 AM on January 10, 2010


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