A "short snorter;" a trumpet; a nurse's cap; a saber and a beaded Native American bag are just some of the items that inspired a new exhibition of juried artwork by Vermont artists to open next week at Norwich University's Sullivan Museum.

The exhibit, "Inspired by Stories: Artists Reflect on the Historical Collection of the Sullivan Museum," which will be on display until August 28, will open with a reception on Thursday, May 28, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

The exhibit will feature works inspired by some of the 15,000 objects housed in the museum that tell the Norwich story. Eighteen artists selected an object from the museum and created a response to it. The pieces will be displayed with the original object.

"This was an opportunity for artists to explore personal perceptions of history while creating and exhibiting contemporary work," said Marilyn Solvay, museum director.

Thirty-nine artists entered their current work last February and were juried by artists Sabra Field, Mary Azarian, and Kenneth Leslie, and 18 artists were chosen for the project: Angelo Arnold; Marc Awodey; Jason Baldwin; Alex Bottinelli; Rudy Caron; Richard Gombar; Phyllis Gosling Greenway; Nicole Kircher; Don LaHue; Robin LaHue; Riki Moss; Philip Robertson; Delia Robinson; Peter Russom; Art Schaller; Romy Scheroder; Barbara E.M. Scotch and Janet Van Fleet.

The Sullivan Museum is open 9 a.m.-4 pm Monday through Friday and many weekends for special events. We are located next to the Kreitzberg Library off Route 12 in Northfield. For more information about the exhibition the public can call 802-485- 2448.