Who We Are

About the Festival

The Festival of Miniatures is an annual holiday event that transforms the storefronts of Brattleboro, Vermont, into a self-guided gallery of exquisitely crafted miniature scenes. From tiny Victorian parlors to microscopic winter forests, each window holds a world of its own.

The Festival

A Celebration of the
Tiny & the Wonderful

Founded by a small group of artists and community organizers, the Festival has grown into a beloved seasonal tradition that draws visitors from across New England and beyond. It runs from November 27 through January 10 and includes storefront displays, special events, guided tours, and more.

Entirely community-powered and fiscally sponsored by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC), the Festival is free to explore and open to all.

See Events

Executive Team

Big ideas often start small. Behind the Festival of Miniatures is a passionate team of artists, organizers, makers, and community champions who bring creativity, collaboration, and a love of all things tiny to Brattleboro. Together, they turn miniature ideas into a larger-than-life celebration.

Melany Kahn

Founder/Director

A lifelong miniaturist, Mel has been in the Brattleboro community for over 60 years. Her late parents Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason were integral in supporting the Brattleboro Arts community. For 12 years, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem in the Brattleboro courts and was a court appointed family mediator. She is an avid forager and the author of the children’s book Mason Goes Mushrooming.

Nancy Vitale

Executive Producer

Nancy is a strategic producer working at the intersection of storytelling and social change. She has collaborated with leading artists and groundbreaking nonprofits across the country, producing films, videos, podcasts, theatrical events, and multi-day festivals. Prior to moving to Brattleboro with her family, Nancy’s partners included PEN America, World Science Festival, and Pop Culture Collaborative.

Deb Holman

Director of Marketing/Communications

Deb was the long-time Director of Marketing and Communications for Northfield Mount Hermon School and Oak Meadow School. As a media consultant and project manager, she has worked for area non-profits such as the Tropical Storm Irene Long-Term Recovery Committee and the SEVCA Vermont Everyone Eats program.

Mini Artisan Team at Dollhouse Clubhouse

Members are from the artistic community of the Brattleboro, Vermont area, who contribute their talent and time all year long to bring the Festival scenes to life.

Marta Bernbaum

A glass artist and founding member of the Vermont Glass Guild, Marta also established the Harmony Collective Gallery, and Brattleboro-West Arts. In addition to being a contributing artist and maker, she leads the lighting and electrical components of the entire Festival of Miniatures. We like to call her the General Contractor of all things mini.

Carmella Richardson

Carmella is a recent graduate of Southern New Hampshire University whose love of miniatures, gardening, and all things creative dates back to early childhood. As the youngest and strongest member of our team, she is frequently relied on to be the mover-of-dollhouses.

Desiree Stango

A lifelong resident of Brattleboro with a degree in Display, Exhibit, and Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Desiree is key to the the main curator and designer of our Festival’s centerpiece dollhouse display, the ItsyBella Stewart Gardner Museum. She is a real estate broker with Berkley & Veller (she’s your trusted finder of a home in case you want to move here after visiting our terrific town!)

Amelia Farnum

Amelia is a founding member of Dollhouse Clubhouse. With a strong professional background in video editing and storytelling, her attention to the narrative details in miniature scenes is essential to the Festival. She credits her Italian mason grandfather with her own mastery of mini stonework as she handles all of the brick building, stone walls, and fieldstone patios from placement to grout.

Our Mission

The Brattleboro Festival of Miniatures celebrates small scenes with big imagination, welcoming local artists, businesses, and visitors to share free, accessible experiences that spark creativity, foster community connection, and stimulate economic vitality in our region.

FAQs

How did the Festival of Miniatures begin?

The Brattleboro Festival of Miniatures was founded in 2025 to bring local artists and makers together to create a townwide miniatures exhibition, holiday stroll, and slate of events to bring area residents downtown to commune, shop, and instill pride in Brattleboro. It was successful beyond imagination, with visitors coming from around New England and beyond, and local stores reporting record holiday sales.

Where exactly are the storefronts?

All participating storefronts are in Brattleboro, Vermont. Download our guide or use the interactive map on the Visit page to find all locations (coming soon).

What is the Museum of Things Tiny & Found?

The MOTTAF is our year-round home for miniature art and curiosity, located on Main St. in downtown Brattleboro. Open all year with rotating exhibitions, permanent collections, and community events. Visit their website for hours or schedule a private tour.

Where Can I Buy Miniatures?

The following places offer a little something for every collector and mini enthusiast: Museum of Things Tiny and Found Gift Shop, Thrifting New England, Experienced Goods, Twice Upon a Time, Verdigris, Altiplano, B's Nest, Millie's Antiques, and Beadniks.

I have a dollhouse or scene I would like to display during the Festival.

Many of the small scenes in our shop windows are created by creative Brattleboro shop owners. In some cases, we will match local artisans with shops to create scenes.

We are also open to displaying completed scenes that fill a shop window, when appropriate. NOTE: Priority will be given to Brattleboro-area makers.

To be considered, please complete the Maker Form and let us know about your vision for a store window. Please include photos to help us see what you have in mind!

Is it free to attend?

Yes! The Holiday Stroll is entirely free. You simply walk the streets of Brattleboro and discover the scenes. Some special events and performance may have a fee.

How do I sign up to volunteer or be a maker?

Visit our Get Involved page to fill out the volunteer or maker interest form. We'll keep you posted.

Is the Festival Accessible?

Our Festival is committed to offering free and accessible programming, serving any person regardless of ability, identity, background, or economics. Our unique Holiday Window Stroll can be viewed from the sidewalk or in other accessible public spaces any time of day or night. As programming is added, we will provide updated accessibility information.

I’m a miniaturist—how can I get involved?

The Brattleboro Festival of Miniatures celebrates the creativity and artistry of the Brattleboro, VT region. Local miniaturists are welcome to fill out the Maker Form.

We invite everyone with an interest in miniature arts to visit Brattleboro, be inspired by the small scenes and community spirit, attend an event, shop our unique stores, and visit the Museum of Things Tiny and Found. Follow us on Instagram @festivalofminiatures for the latest news.