Community Calendar

"Talismans" – is an online art show of the objects, people or ideas which guide us. 

Visual artist, video, music ands poetry.

Launches January 10

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 750 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 66 countries in 30 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles

https://www.personaland.com

We are having a snowman building contest throughout our city! The rules are simple,

build your creation, give it a name, snap a photo, and email erin_demers@torringtonct.org! We made the time frame big (just in case snow is limited) so you will have plenty of time to get outside and get building.

All snow creations will be entered into each category.

We will have a public vote where everyone will be able to see all of the fantastic builds throughout Torrington! Get thinking and get building!

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

SUBMISSIONS

February 1 – April 1, 2025

The Woodbury Public Library is delighted to once again host the Nonnewaug High School Senior Showcase featuring the award winning art of NHS Seniors Jackson Brent, Logan Feng, Kayleigh Gingras, Molly Hartmann, Kiera Jacobi, Ava Parks, Audey Rogers, Zodie Smith, and Sophie Solury. The student’s work will be on display in the Library’s Gallery Space with a reception for the artists on February 8th at 2:00 PM. The students were taught by NHS Art Teacher Leeza DesJardins, an award winning artist in her own right. Her students go on to receive many art awards and many pursue a career in the arts after high school. 

Join us for a French Conversation Group at the Library. Meets the first and third Friday of each month. Reading Room. Free & Open to the Public. Please email to register.

“Cozy Up with a Good Book” Winter Reading Program, all ages, January 2 – March 20, 2025.

Stay warm this winter and Cozy Up with a Good Book in the Morris Public Library’s Winter Reading Program for all ages (January 2 – March 20, 2025). We explore various reading activities, new authors and genres in our reading journey this year.

Cross off the appropriate blocks in your Reading Card for each book you have read or listened to. One book may qualify for up to three categories (blocks). Return/e-mail your completed card by March 20 to qualify to win the Grand Cozy Prize. Reading Cards are available at the library or via morrispubliclibrary.net (starting January 2).

Have had an extra-cozy reading spree and completed several cards this winter? Enter more than one card into the drawing!

All reading levels have their own Reading Card and the Grand Cozy Prize!

Information: https://morrispubliclibrary.net or 860-567-7440.

In this three-week workshop, learn the basics of machine quilting as you create a table runner. You’ll learn to cut fabric, piece a quilt top with accurate ¼” seams, and use a sewing machine to quilt your table runner and add binding. All materials are provided, but you can bring your fabric if desired. If you choose to bring your own fabric, please contact the Makerspace at create@gunnlibrary.org for requirements. Ages 18+. Registration required. Participants must attend all three sessions.

Please register @ https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/quilting-for-beginners-an-introductory-class-for-adults/

Artists Kathleen Borkowski and Aaron Borkowski will exhibit their work at the Norfolk Library during the month of February in an exhibition entitled “You and Me”. Kathleen has been a lettering artist since the 1980s when she took her first calligraphy class. She puts letters, words, and symbols together to create an image. Her studio is in Whiting Mills, and her work includes painting on paper and book making. Aaron is currently creating images using digital phone photography, which he edits and manipulates with phone applications to achieve the desired end result. Aaron has recently exhibited his photos at Five Points Gallery in Torrington and Gallery on the Green in Canton.

An internationally known sculptor, Joy Brown’s larger than life human figures are instantly recognizable. And while her bronze sculptures grace public spaces from Beijing to New York City, each piece begins as a clay figure fired at her home studio in Kent, CT.

An opening reception for The Art of Joy Brown takes place Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Tremaine Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays.

Come to the library to experience a book with your mind and five senses! This entertaining book focuses on sensory development, vocabulary building, and early exploration skills. The repetitive structure and descriptive language help young readers learn new words and concepts, enhancing their language and cognitive development.

Space is limited, and registration is required, so be sure to sign up on our website - https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/preschool-storytime-thats-not-my-snowman-by-fiona-watt/

Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come

Opening Celebration January 19

January 19, 2025 – March 30, 2025Homeward to the Prairie I Come showcases the work of Gordon Parks (1912-2006), a pioneering photographer, poet, filmmaker, musician, and composer. After becoming LIFE Magazine’s first Black staff photographer in 1948, Parks captured diverse images of life in the 20th century. Paired with his lesser-known works of poetry, this exhibition positions Parks within the history of art and provides a catalogue of his wide-ranging interests beyond documentary photography.

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

Opening Celebration February 23

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

After decades of photographing everyday life, artist Arthur Nager turned his attention to documenting the Naugatuck Valley. This exhibition compares Nager’s earlier works in black and white with recent color compositions of the region that capture the architecture and landscape of the Greater Waterbury area.

August 15, 2024 – September 21, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes.

 These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Cornwall Library is excited to begin its 2025 art shows with Hotspot, Kit White’s dramatic and innovative paintings prompted by recent California wildfires. As White worked on the paintings, his daughter in San Francisco was sending home vivid images of the lurid, smoke-filled air outside her taped-up windows. The paintings were his response to her apocalyptic scenario.

The show runs from January 11 until February 22 except Mondays, when the library is closed. The Artists Reception from 5 to 7 pm on January 11. Registration on the library website for the reception is requested.

Though at first the paintings can seem wholly abstract, close inspection reveals a black and white photograph of a wildfire embedded in each, creating a layered space that reveals itself slowly. The result is a startlingly eloquent reaction to the fire, and by extension to climate change.

The embedded image results from a unique process developed by the Eastman Company in Rochester. It begins with a digital photograph White manipulates and then transfers via inkjet printer onto a giant sheet of mylar. After White puts down a base layer of oil paint, he treats his canvas with a solution that lifts the photograph from the mylar onto the painted canvas. He then overlays the “ghost” image embedded in the painting with more oil paint. The effect is more akin to an 1860s-era glass plate photograph, with its imperfections, than to a crisp contemporary image, suggesting the porousness and mutability of memory.

White says “This particular method of working, with a spectral photo embedded in the painting, began with the Iran-Iraq war, when I started thinking that most people get their sense of the world from photographs, not direct experience. It seemed, then, that if I wanted to address the physical world, I had to acknowledge the role of photography in creating our sense of a place.”

Kit White is a New York-based artist and writer who studied Fine Arts at Harvard and was professor of Painting at the Pratt Institute for 21 years. He has had many solo exhibitions and his work is in the collections of museums including The Guggenheim Museum, The M, The Weisman Art Museum, The Johnson Art Museum, the Luther Brady Collection, (formerly, The Corcoran Museum), and others. In 1979, he received the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award for painting. He is the author of 101 Things to Learn in Art School and his work is the subject of a monograph, Kit White, Line Into Form, by critic Carter Ratcliff.

Spring is in the Air—Gallery 25 in The Historic Train Station presents Art in Bloom!

As the days grow warmer and Spring 2025 approaches, Gallery 25 is excited to invite you to our Annual Spring Show: Art in Bloom. From February 7th through April 27th, the gallery will showcase works from our talented member artists in a variety of mediums, including paintings, glass art, collages, mixed media, photography, woodworking, jewelry, and much more. It’s a vibrant collection you won’t want to miss!

Opening Reception:

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 8th, from 4-6 pm. Be among the first to view the new artwork, enjoy light refreshments, and sip wine while mingling with the artists and fellow art enthusiasts.

We’re thrilled to welcome Robin Le as the newest member of Gallery 25! Robin’s paintings have evolved from expressive portraits of women and animals, celebrating their strength and beauty, to her current series of abstract works strongly influenced by nature. Her process involves multiple intuitive mixed media layers, often refined with oils, aiming for a dynamic interplay of movement, depth, and a rich exploration of textures and colors. Come check out Robin’s unique creations in our Spring Show!

Artist Workshops:

Gallery 25 is also offering several exciting workshops for those looking to tap into their own creativity:

Learn to Paint Gouache with Liz Rosiello: Thursdays, February 13th, 20th & 27th, 6 pm–8 pm

Alcohol Ink Workshop with Adele Moros: Sunday, February 16th, 1 pm–3 pm

Experience the Pottery Wheel: Make a Small Bowl with Roberta Ahuja: Saturday, April 4th, 1 pm–5:30 pm

A Weekend in the Life: April 11th–13th—A weekend of exciting community events in New Milford.

Make it a Weekend Getaway!

New Milford is a wonderful destination to spend the day or weekend! Stroll through our charming town, explore unique shops! It’s the perfect mix of art, culture, and relaxation.

Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

New Milford Commission on the Arts

11 Railroad St., New Milford, CT 06776

860-355-6009 * gallery25ct.com

Open Friday & Saturday 12-6 and Sunday 10-4

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

Exhibition featuring : Matthew J. Best, Mark Buku, Stanwyck Cromwell, Vincent Dion, Lois Goglia, Mark Guglielmo, Sam Posey, John Simboli, Laura J. Stern and Lydia Viscardi.

Exhibition runs from January 10 - February 22, 2025.

Opening reception Friday, January 10 and Artist talk Friday February 7.

Enjoy a tasty lunch, wonderful music and lots of dancing!

Menu: TBD.

Band: Northeast Country

* Pre-registration REQUIRED BY Wednesday Feb 19th

The Fantasy Book Club will meet at the Morris Public Library on Friday, February 21, 6:30 PM to discuss "Chain of Gold" by Cassandra Clare.

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

New registrations and book requests: 860-567-7440 or https://morrispubliclibrary.net/library-calendar-event.../

Join us at Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust for poetry readings from the recently published "Finding Home" a book of poems inspired by the process of trying to remove invasive plants and restoring space and light for indigenous plants to thrive. The process unleashed creativity in Woodbury's poet laureate (2023-2024) and led her explore the connection between gardening and poetry. Joining Sandy is Dee Salomon, the Ungardener, and Heidi Cunnick, chair of the Cornwall Conservation Commission with practical advice on what each of us can do to rid our yards of invasive plants. Held at the Studio, 5 Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, CT 06798. Free to members, $6.00 non-members.

“Avengers... assemble!”

Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia at the brewery! Come on down and show us how smart you are!

Friday, February 21st, at 7:00, Michael Sasportas returns to 2nd Home. It has been too long since we've had the pleasure of hosting Mike, and we are very much looking forward to what we know will be an evening of great music, food, drinks, and fun!  

For reservations call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

Google Street View

https://goo.gl/maps/eC7A4ZDEjenNqzpb6

https://goo.gl/maps/NWGK4NRyk6MNfmWZ6

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

In a Chicago junk shop, three men plot to rob a man of his coin collection, the showpiece of which is a valuable “Buffalo nickel.” These high-minded grifters fancy themselves businessmen pursuing legitimate free enterprise. But Donny, the oafish junk shop owner, Bobby, a young junkie Donny has taken under his wing, and “Teach,” a violently paranoid braggart, are merely pawns caught up in their own game of last-chance, dead-end, empty pipe dreams.

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "For the Love of Animals," a stunning new exhibition by artist Caryn King. It will be displayed in the Stairwell Gallery from February 1st to March 29th, 2025. This collection of captivating animal paintings reflects King's deep affection for the art of painting and the animal world.

Caryn King, a narrative painter, began her artistic journey with clay and spent 14 years as a sculptor. Along the way, she earned a BFA in Illustration, worked as a toy designer, and taught art. After transitioning back to painting, King found her authentic artistic voice and hasn’t looked back. “I used to say I would paint one day - if only I could figure out what to put on a blank canvas. Once I discovered that vision, I haven’t stopped painting since,” she shares.

Inspired by her love for animals, the exhibition features a series of animal portraits that highlight each creature's beauty, texture, and soul. The emphasis on texture, which traces back to her early years as a clay artist, gives the paintings a dynamic and expressive quality that avoids sentimentality while capturing the peaceful essence of the animals. The collection offers a serene reflection on the animals'

grace and spirit, inviting viewers to experience a sense of tranquility often elusive in our fast-paced world.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the junction of Route 47 opposite the Green in Washington, CT. Library hours may be found at gunnlibrary.org.

For more information, call (860)868-7586 or email adoerwald@gunnlibrary.org.

"Talismans" – is an online art show of the objects, people or ideas which guide us. 

Visual artist, video, music ands poetry.

Launches January 10

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 750 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 66 countries in 30 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles

https://www.personaland.com

We are having a snowman building contest throughout our city! The rules are simple,

build your creation, give it a name, snap a photo, and email erin_demers@torringtonct.org! We made the time frame big (just in case snow is limited) so you will have plenty of time to get outside and get building.

All snow creations will be entered into each category.

We will have a public vote where everyone will be able to see all of the fantastic builds throughout Torrington! Get thinking and get building!

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

SUBMISSIONS

February 1 – April 1, 2025

The New Milford Farmers Market will be in the Parish Hall of St. John's Episcopal Church, 7 Whittlesey Avenue, New Milford.

The Woodbury Public Library is delighted to once again host the Nonnewaug High School Senior Showcase featuring the award winning art of NHS Seniors Jackson Brent, Logan Feng, Kayleigh Gingras, Molly Hartmann, Kiera Jacobi, Ava Parks, Audey Rogers, Zodie Smith, and Sophie Solury. The student’s work will be on display in the Library’s Gallery Space with a reception for the artists on February 8th at 2:00 PM. The students were taught by NHS Art Teacher Leeza DesJardins, an award winning artist in her own right. Her students go on to receive many art awards and many pursue a career in the arts after high school. 

“Cozy Up with a Good Book” Winter Reading Program, all ages, January 2 – March 20, 2025.

Stay warm this winter and Cozy Up with a Good Book in the Morris Public Library’s Winter Reading Program for all ages (January 2 – March 20, 2025). We explore various reading activities, new authors and genres in our reading journey this year.

Cross off the appropriate blocks in your Reading Card for each book you have read or listened to. One book may qualify for up to three categories (blocks). Return/e-mail your completed card by March 20 to qualify to win the Grand Cozy Prize. Reading Cards are available at the library or via morrispubliclibrary.net (starting January 2).

Have had an extra-cozy reading spree and completed several cards this winter? Enter more than one card into the drawing!

All reading levels have their own Reading Card and the Grand Cozy Prize!

Information: https://morrispubliclibrary.net or 860-567-7440.

This cross-disciplinary workshop will introduce the basics of Adobe Illustrator and fundamentals of traditional screen printing. In the first two sessions, you will learn to create digital designs through guided exercises, then transfer your image from the computer screen to a mesh printing screen. The final session will focus on the hands-on process of screen printing on paper.

Instructor: Nick Colabella

Saturdays, February 8, 15 & 22, 2025

10 AM - 1 PM

Ages: 16+

Members: $139.50

Non-Members: $155

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Fun French Games and Conversation for Kids at the Gunn Library

The Gunn Memorial Library invites intermediate and advanced French-speaking children, ages 6-10, to join us for an hour of fun and interactive language practice! This engaging program combines games with French conversation, allowing young learners to improve their language skills while enjoying themselves.

Led by experienced facilitators, the session will encourage fluency, build confidence, and create a playful environment where kids can connect with fellow French speakers.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse your child in the beauty of the French language. Registration is required—please visit our website to secure your spot! www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/category/jrlib/2025-01/

Throughout history, artists such as Maurice Prendergast would hand burnish Japanese paper to transfer their inked image without a press. In this printmaking workshop, you will learn to print by hand using various tools to create impressions on paper and produce second impressions, or ghost images, by applying release medium to the plate before printing.

Instructor: Tony Kirk

Saturday, February 22, 2025

10 AM - 4 PM

Ages: 14+

Members: $117

Non-Members: $130

MORE INFO & REGISTER

The Cornwall Library is excited to begin its 2025 art shows with Hotspot, Kit White’s dramatic and innovative paintings prompted by recent California wildfires. As White worked on the paintings, his daughter in San Francisco was sending home vivid images of the lurid, smoke-filled air outside her taped-up windows. The paintings were his response to her apocalyptic scenario.

The show runs from January 11 until February 22 except Mondays, when the library is closed. The Artists Reception from 5 to 7 pm on January 11. Registration on the library website for the reception is requested.

Though at first the paintings can seem wholly abstract, close inspection reveals a black and white photograph of a wildfire embedded in each, creating a layered space that reveals itself slowly. The result is a startlingly eloquent reaction to the fire, and by extension to climate change.

The embedded image results from a unique process developed by the Eastman Company in Rochester. It begins with a digital photograph White manipulates and then transfers via inkjet printer onto a giant sheet of mylar. After White puts down a base layer of oil paint, he treats his canvas with a solution that lifts the photograph from the mylar onto the painted canvas. He then overlays the “ghost” image embedded in the painting with more oil paint. The effect is more akin to an 1860s-era glass plate photograph, with its imperfections, than to a crisp contemporary image, suggesting the porousness and mutability of memory.

White says “This particular method of working, with a spectral photo embedded in the painting, began with the Iran-Iraq war, when I started thinking that most people get their sense of the world from photographs, not direct experience. It seemed, then, that if I wanted to address the physical world, I had to acknowledge the role of photography in creating our sense of a place.”

Kit White is a New York-based artist and writer who studied Fine Arts at Harvard and was professor of Painting at the Pratt Institute for 21 years. He has had many solo exhibitions and his work is in the collections of museums including The Guggenheim Museum, The M, The Weisman Art Museum, The Johnson Art Museum, the Luther Brady Collection, (formerly, The Corcoran Museum), and others. In 1979, he received the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award for painting. He is the author of 101 Things to Learn in Art School and his work is the subject of a monograph, Kit White, Line Into Form, by critic Carter Ratcliff.

Artists Kathleen Borkowski and Aaron Borkowski will exhibit their work at the Norfolk Library during the month of February in an exhibition entitled “You and Me”. Kathleen has been a lettering artist since the 1980s when she took her first calligraphy class. She puts letters, words, and symbols together to create an image. Her studio is in Whiting Mills, and her work includes painting on paper and book making. Aaron is currently creating images using digital phone photography, which he edits and manipulates with phone applications to achieve the desired end result. Aaron has recently exhibited his photos at Five Points Gallery in Torrington and Gallery on the Green in Canton.

An internationally known sculptor, Joy Brown’s larger than life human figures are instantly recognizable. And while her bronze sculptures grace public spaces from Beijing to New York City, each piece begins as a clay figure fired at her home studio in Kent, CT.

An opening reception for The Art of Joy Brown takes place Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Tremaine Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays.

Saturdays in February beginning 2/1 at 10:30am

All ages welcome!

Saturday Storytime is BACK! Come to OWL for an all ages storytime in the children's room every Saturday at 10:30 then stay to play. In addition to our puppet theater, wooden blocks, and train set, we now have a dollhouse! We also have an ongoing Scavenger Hunt with a squishy prize for winners.

During February our craft table is home to a GIANT coloring poster, as well as a special weekly craft for older children. And most importantly come in to browse our collection of print books, Nutmeg nominees, and Wonderbooks!

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

Opening Celebration February 23

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

After decades of photographing everyday life, artist Arthur Nager turned his attention to documenting the Naugatuck Valley. This exhibition compares Nager’s earlier works in black and white with recent color compositions of the region that capture the architecture and landscape of the Greater Waterbury area.

Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come

Opening Celebration January 19

January 19, 2025 – March 30, 2025Homeward to the Prairie I Come showcases the work of Gordon Parks (1912-2006), a pioneering photographer, poet, filmmaker, musician, and composer. After becoming LIFE Magazine’s first Black staff photographer in 1948, Parks captured diverse images of life in the 20th century. Paired with his lesser-known works of poetry, this exhibition positions Parks within the history of art and provides a catalogue of his wide-ranging interests beyond documentary photography.

August 15, 2024 – September 21, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes.

 These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Spring is in the Air—Gallery 25 in The Historic Train Station presents Art in Bloom!

As the days grow warmer and Spring 2025 approaches, Gallery 25 is excited to invite you to our Annual Spring Show: Art in Bloom. From February 7th through April 27th, the gallery will showcase works from our talented member artists in a variety of mediums, including paintings, glass art, collages, mixed media, photography, woodworking, jewelry, and much more. It’s a vibrant collection you won’t want to miss!

Opening Reception:

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 8th, from 4-6 pm. Be among the first to view the new artwork, enjoy light refreshments, and sip wine while mingling with the artists and fellow art enthusiasts.

We’re thrilled to welcome Robin Le as the newest member of Gallery 25! Robin’s paintings have evolved from expressive portraits of women and animals, celebrating their strength and beauty, to her current series of abstract works strongly influenced by nature. Her process involves multiple intuitive mixed media layers, often refined with oils, aiming for a dynamic interplay of movement, depth, and a rich exploration of textures and colors. Come check out Robin’s unique creations in our Spring Show!

Artist Workshops:

Gallery 25 is also offering several exciting workshops for those looking to tap into their own creativity:

Learn to Paint Gouache with Liz Rosiello: Thursdays, February 13th, 20th & 27th, 6 pm–8 pm

Alcohol Ink Workshop with Adele Moros: Sunday, February 16th, 1 pm–3 pm

Experience the Pottery Wheel: Make a Small Bowl with Roberta Ahuja: Saturday, April 4th, 1 pm–5:30 pm

A Weekend in the Life: April 11th–13th—A weekend of exciting community events in New Milford.

Make it a Weekend Getaway!

New Milford is a wonderful destination to spend the day or weekend! Stroll through our charming town, explore unique shops! It’s the perfect mix of art, culture, and relaxation.

Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

New Milford Commission on the Arts

11 Railroad St., New Milford, CT 06776

860-355-6009 * gallery25ct.com

Open Friday & Saturday 12-6 and Sunday 10-4

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

This workshop will introduce the fundamentals of visual storytelling and sequential art with a focus on paneling, pacing, page composition, and panel transition. Draw short comics and storyboards with a professional comic artist using a story of your own creation or one from existing scripts.

Instructor: Bryn Brunnstrom

Saturdays, February 15 & 22, 2025

1 - 4 PM

Ages: Teens

Members: $85.50

Non-Members: $95

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Exhibition featuring : Matthew J. Best, Mark Buku, Stanwyck Cromwell, Vincent Dion, Lois Goglia, Mark Guglielmo, Sam Posey, John Simboli, Laura J. Stern and Lydia Viscardi.

Exhibition runs from January 10 - February 22, 2025.

Opening reception Friday, January 10 and Artist talk Friday February 7.

Create a cute and cuddly penguin plushie using the Makerspace’s sewing machines! No prior sewing experience is needed. We’ll review everything you need to know to complete your project, including how to thread the machine, select the right stitches, sew an accurate seam allowance, and add stuffing. Grades 6-12.

Registration required:

https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/teen-workshop-sew-a-penguin-plushie/

Address: 26 Doolittle Drive, Norfolk, CT

hosted in the Husky Meadows Farm kitchen barn basement

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Have you ever wanted to grow your own mushrooms in your backyard? Discover how easy the process is with Husky Meadows Farm’s free mushroom inoculation workshop on Saturday, February 22.

Participate in a hands-on learning experience with shiitake, lion’s mane, and oyster mushrooms. Learn about the different strains, species, and varieties of cultivated gourmet mushrooms from our resident mushroom enthusiast and farmer, Rana Justice. We’ll discuss how to select your logs, what supplies you’ll need, and how to care for your mushrooms while we enjoy some light refreshments from our kitchen.

This is a free event open to the public, hosted in the Husky Meadows Farm kitchen barn basement. Coffee and chaga tea will be served alongside our kitchen staples: cream & currant scones and quiche.

Join us for this free workshop and check out the other stops around town for a Winter Weekend Festival in Norfolk, hosted by Weekend in Norfolk! Email us at support@huskymeadowsfarm.com to register for this event.

Parking Information:

Parking is available at 30 Doolittle Drive (Husky Meadows Farm entrance) by the orchard. After turning at the Husky Meadows Farm sign, drive down until the fork in the road and take the right toward the orchard. There will be signs to lead you toward the kitchen barn basement. Anyone who requires an accessible entrance, please park at 26 Doolittle Drive, Norfolk, CT and follow the sidewalk inside.

RSVP is recommended, but walk ins are welcome!

To RSVP for this event, email us at: support@huskymeadowsfarm.com

To learn more about us, visit www.huskymeadowsfarm.com

Address: 26 Doolittle Drive, Norfolk, CT

hosted in the Husky Meadows Farm kitchen barn basement

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Have you ever wanted to grow your own mushrooms in your backyard? Discover how easy the process is with Husky Meadows Farm’s free mushroom inoculation workshop on Saturday, February 22.

Participate in a hands-on learning experience with shiitake, lion’s mane, and oyster mushrooms. Learn about the different strains, species, and varieties of cultivated gourmet mushrooms from our resident mushroom enthusiast and farmer, Rana Justice. We’ll discuss how to select your logs, what supplies you’ll need, and how to care for your mushrooms while we enjoy some light refreshments from our kitchen.

This is a free event open to the public, hosted in the Husky Meadows Farm kitchen barn basement. Coffee and chaga tea will be served alongside our kitchen staples: cream & currant scones and quiche.

Join us for this free workshop and check out the other stops around town for a Winter Weekend Festival in Norfolk, hosted by Weekend in Norfolk! Email us at support@huskymeadowsfarm.com to register for this event.

Parking Information:

Parking is available at 30 Doolittle Drive (Husky Meadows Farm entrance) by the orchard. After turning at the Husky Meadows Farm sign, drive down until the fork in the road and take the right toward the orchard. There will be signs to lead you toward the kitchen barn basement. Anyone who requires an accessible entrance, please park at 26 Doolittle Drive, Norfolk, CT and follow the sidewalk inside.

RSVP is recommended, but walk ins are welcome!

To RSVP for this event, email us at: support@huskymeadowsfarm.com

To learn more about us, visit www.huskymeadowsfarm.com

Yarn Bomb Drop-in Sessions are taking place at Five Points Arts Center throughout the winter and spring - free and open to the public of all ages, skills and techniques welcome!

MORE INFO HERE

Wednesdays (weekly):

2 - 4 PM

Jan 8 - May 28

Saturdays:

2 -4 PM

January 11 & 25

February 8 &22

March 8 & 22

April 12 & 26

May 10

He was the greatest painter of birds. Traveling throughout the North American continent by boat, train, bus, on foot, raising money from doing odd jobs and betting on horses, Rex Brasher accomplished the most phenomenal task, to paint every bird species in North America from life! Today all 874 of his watercolors rest in drawers at the Dodd Center at the University of Connecticut. The promise of building a museum to house his extraordinary collection has been extinguished. When his last surviving relatives passed a few years ago, his beloved home, Chickadee Valley, just over the border from Kent, CT, fell into the hands of The Rex Brasher Association. Their goal, to preserve Rex Brasher’s home and studio where he hand-colored 87,400 plates (NOT A TYPO!) making up 100 editions of the twelve-volume series, The Birds and Trees of North America, to build a small museum as well as to blaze nature trails on his 100 acre property. Today you will learn more about this incredible man, the efforts of the Rex Brasher Association to keep his memory alive, and how you can get involved. This is one of the greatest stories in ornithology and Americana. White Memorial’s Gerri Griswold and Matthew Schnepf or the Rex Brasher Association host an afternoon Remembering Rex. 2:00 p.m., Carriage House, FREE but you must pre-register: www.whitememorialcc.org Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Enjoy the sounds of rock and blues with local band, Timeless Groove! This quartet will take you on a musical journey from the 50’s to today, with songs to get you on your feet and dancing.

Tickets

"Clay and Quill", an exhibit of ceramics, paintings and calligraphy by Master Painter & Calligrapher Alibaba Awrang and Master Potter Matin Malikzada at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South Street, Roxbury, CT, will begin with an opening reception on Saturday February 22, 2025 from 3 pm to 5 pm (reception snow date: Saturday March 1, 2025 from 3 pm to 5 pm).

On Saturday February 22, 4-6pm the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village (CT) will host an opening reception for an exhibition of artworks by Jon Kopita, focusing on the playfulness of language, syntax, meaning, graphics, and identity. These framed drawings utilize lined cursive writing paper and document the artist’s meditative thoughts, observations, and obsessions. Resembling rhythmic chants or musical scores, the works are often imbued with subtle variations in spelling and meaning that lead to gentle resolutions and enlightened understanding. Mr. Kopita said, “While a picture might be worth a thousand words, I believe a thousand words are worth a picture. As a teacher, words really matter to me. My practice of making art started with trying to fit my very best longhand between the lines, utilizing lined paper that teachers used for decades to teach their students how to write cursive.” 

Additionally, The artist will have an art talk on Thursday, February 27, 5:30-7PM.

The Cornwall Library is excited to present MoMA insiders Ann Temkin and Romy Silver-Kohn in conversation about their new book, Inventing the Modern: Untold Stories of the Women Who Shaped the Museum of Modern Art. 

Inventing the Modern is a collection of lively profiles of fourteen visionary women who shaped the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in its early decades. It contains engaging essays about MoMA’s three founders, influential patrons, curators, and department directors who were central to the museum’s success. 

During the early years, even with the central involvement of prominent individuals such as Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, the future of MoMA was uncertain. Visitors took an elevator to rented space on the twelfth floor of an office building. Many considered the collection controversial at best. “At that time, to invent the Modern was just not the heroic enterprise that seems now to have been inevitable,” says Ann Temkin.

Silver-Kohn notes that while it’s widely known that MoMA was founded by three women, “it’s seldom discussed what brought them to that point and how revolutionary it was.” The usual story until now has emphasized the role of MoMA’s first director hired by the founders, Alfred H. Barr Jr.

In the end, of course, the work of these women was spectacularly successful. Their decisions and implementations have had a profound influence on modern art museums everywhere. Their arduous path to these triumphs is the inspiring subject of Inventing the Modern.

Temkin is the Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at MoMA, the first woman to lead that department. Silver-Kohn worked for many years as a researcher in painting and sculpture. Together they commissioned, contributed to, and edited the essays in Inventing the Modern. 

Attend in-person only at 30 Pine Street, Cornwall, CT 06753. Autographed copies of Inventing the Modern will be for sale. Free registration on the library website required.

On Saturday, the Substitutes will be playing at the brewery! They start at 6 pm.

Women, Wine, & Wheel

Saturday, February 25th, 6:30-9:30PM

What could be more fun than a bunch of friends laughing and learning the pottery wheel?

This is a two-day course (plus a day for glazing) where you will throw one piece of pottery on the wheel, & trim the base during the second visit. Your third visit you can glaze your piece at your leisure once it's out of the kiln where - you get to pick your colors and make it unique. BYOB and a snack to share if you'd like. $129 Each. Preregistration is required.

Needs a minimum of 4 people to run this class.

Village Center for the Arts

12 Main Street, New Milford, CT

(860) 354-4318

villagecenterarts.org

Saturday, February 22nd, at 7:00 PM, 2nd Home welcomes back Mark Paradis. Everyone has a great time with Mark, and this time will be just the same, we're sure. Great music, food, drinks, and fun. Come down and enjoy!

For reservations call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

Google Street View

https://goo.gl/maps/eC7A4ZDEjenNqzpb6

https://goo.gl/maps/NWGK4NRyk6MNfmWZ6

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

Garet&Co Presents: "From All Angles," the company's third annual performance in the glorious space of Battell Chapel in Norfolk CT, where each of their pieces will be set in the round. In "From All Angles," audience members will witness Garet&Co translate three of the works presented at their fall show, "Can't Keep Friends," to be in the round, where viewers can truly witness each piece from a new angle. In addition to re-staging these three works, Garet&Co will also be premiering TWO brand new works created for "From All Angles," including a site specific work made specially for the beautiful performance space. Finally but most notably, Garet&Co will also be bringing back an excerpt of their preeminent piece, "and sometimes i wish" for this show.

On SATURDAY ONLY: Audience members will be treated to a post-show reception and Q&A! Celebrate with Garet&Co!

ON SUNDAY ONLY: Audience members can enjoy a pre-show performance, where dancers will be performing an installation work in the space as the audience enters.

Garet&Co will also be offering several classes in the performance space at Battell Chapel during their time in the space:

- Int/Adv Technique 2/2 11:30-1

- Int/Adv Contemporary Phrase Work 2/16 12:30-2

- Beg Contemporary 2/23 1-2 (join this class prior to the Sunday show for a special discounted package of class + show tickets!)

- Int/Adv Contemporary 2/23 2-3 (join this class prior to the Sunday show for a special discounted package of class + show tickets!)

Garet&Co hopes to celebrate dance with you at "From All Angles!"

Show run time: 60 minutes

Rated PG-13

The ‘Girls’ have been thrilling audiences and earning raves from critics throughout North America since it began touring after its sensational Off-Broadway debut. This touching and hilarious ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ musical takes audiences on a journey into the lives of a group of female friends. Audience members can’t help but laugh, cry and even find themselves singing and dancing in the aisles as some of the most popular hit songs of the 80s and 90s make this musical a fan favorite!

Follow five friends as they visit their past, celebrate their present and look to the future on a wild and hilarious night out … and you’ll recognize a bit yourselves in every one of them!

It is described as “Desperate Housewives meets Mamma Mia” (Applause Magazine), “A boisterous, bust-out, bawdy musical revue” (Wisconsin State Journal), “An infectious, exhilarating sense of intoxication” (Hollywood Reporter) and “As funny and outrageous as Sex and the City!” (The Advocate). GIRLS NIGHT is bursting with energy and is packed with hits “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Man I Feel Like A Woman,” “I Will Survive,” “We are Family” and many more.

In a Chicago junk shop, three men plot to rob a man of his coin collection, the showpiece of which is a valuable “Buffalo nickel.” These high-minded grifters fancy themselves businessmen pursuing legitimate free enterprise. But Donny, the oafish junk shop owner, Bobby, a young junkie Donny has taken under his wing, and “Teach,” a violently paranoid braggart, are merely pawns caught up in their own game of last-chance, dead-end, empty pipe dreams.

Long-time musical partners Fred Krug and Brian Crane bring Simon & Garfunkel's iconic folk songs to life as the tribute band "On Bleeker Street." Having performed sold-out shows at venues like the Booth Theater and numerous concerts-in-the-park across the Susquehanna region, the duo has been delighting audiences with their faithful renditions of 1960s folk classics for over three decades.

February 22, 2025 at 8:00 pm

Admission $35 (plus fees)

Box Office 860-283-6250

www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "For the Love of Animals," a stunning new exhibition by artist Caryn King. It will be displayed in the Stairwell Gallery from February 1st to March 29th, 2025. This collection of captivating animal paintings reflects King's deep affection for the art of painting and the animal world.

Caryn King, a narrative painter, began her artistic journey with clay and spent 14 years as a sculptor. Along the way, she earned a BFA in Illustration, worked as a toy designer, and taught art. After transitioning back to painting, King found her authentic artistic voice and hasn’t looked back. “I used to say I would paint one day - if only I could figure out what to put on a blank canvas. Once I discovered that vision, I haven’t stopped painting since,” she shares.

Inspired by her love for animals, the exhibition features a series of animal portraits that highlight each creature's beauty, texture, and soul. The emphasis on texture, which traces back to her early years as a clay artist, gives the paintings a dynamic and expressive quality that avoids sentimentality while capturing the peaceful essence of the animals. The collection offers a serene reflection on the animals'

grace and spirit, inviting viewers to experience a sense of tranquility often elusive in our fast-paced world.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the junction of Route 47 opposite the Green in Washington, CT. Library hours may be found at gunnlibrary.org.

For more information, call (860)868-7586 or email adoerwald@gunnlibrary.org.

"Talismans" – is an online art show of the objects, people or ideas which guide us. 

Visual artist, video, music ands poetry.

Launches January 10

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 750 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 66 countries in 30 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles

https://www.personaland.com

We are having a snowman building contest throughout our city! The rules are simple,

build your creation, give it a name, snap a photo, and email erin_demers@torringtonct.org! We made the time frame big (just in case snow is limited) so you will have plenty of time to get outside and get building.

All snow creations will be entered into each category.

We will have a public vote where everyone will be able to see all of the fantastic builds throughout Torrington! Get thinking and get building!

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

SUBMISSIONS

February 1 – April 1, 2025

The Butterfly Effect

The butterfly effect rests on the notion that the world is deeply interconnected, such that one small occurrence can influence a much larger complex system. Small things matter, and we are all connected to a bigger system.

A small gesture of kindness, a smiling face, a helping hand, could all make a difference in somebody’s life.

These simple examples are a part of a bigger picture and if we can just focus and pay more attention to these little details, we may be able to make our lives and the lives of others so much better.

• Compliment the first three people you talk to today.
• Send a positive text message to five different people.
• Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter.
• Let someone go in front of you in line.
• Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.
• Smile at five strangers.
• When you're throwing something away, pick up any litter around you and put that in the trash too.
• Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone's entire day. Don't just think it. Say it.
• Put your phone away while in the company of others.
• Post inspirational sticky notes around your school or workplace.
• Say hi to the person next to you.
• Write a positive comment on your favorite blog, website, or friend's social media account.
• Everyone is important. Learn the names of the people you see every day. Greet them by name. Say "hello" to strangers and smile.
• When you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself something positive - you deserve kindness too!

These acts of kindness are so easy, and they almost always make people smile.

An internationally known sculptor, Joy Brown’s larger than life human figures are instantly recognizable. And while her bronze sculptures grace public spaces from Beijing to New York City, each piece begins as a clay figure fired at her home studio in Kent, CT.

An opening reception for The Art of Joy Brown takes place Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Tremaine Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays.

Spring is in the Air—Gallery 25 in The Historic Train Station presents Art in Bloom!

As the days grow warmer and Spring 2025 approaches, Gallery 25 is excited to invite you to our Annual Spring Show: Art in Bloom. From February 7th through April 27th, the gallery will showcase works from our talented member artists in a variety of mediums, including paintings, glass art, collages, mixed media, photography, woodworking, jewelry, and much more. It’s a vibrant collection you won’t want to miss!

Opening Reception:

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 8th, from 4-6 pm. Be among the first to view the new artwork, enjoy light refreshments, and sip wine while mingling with the artists and fellow art enthusiasts.

We’re thrilled to welcome Robin Le as the newest member of Gallery 25! Robin’s paintings have evolved from expressive portraits of women and animals, celebrating their strength and beauty, to her current series of abstract works strongly influenced by nature. Her process involves multiple intuitive mixed media layers, often refined with oils, aiming for a dynamic interplay of movement, depth, and a rich exploration of textures and colors. Come check out Robin’s unique creations in our Spring Show!

Artist Workshops:

Gallery 25 is also offering several exciting workshops for those looking to tap into their own creativity:

Learn to Paint Gouache with Liz Rosiello: Thursdays, February 13th, 20th & 27th, 6 pm–8 pm

Alcohol Ink Workshop with Adele Moros: Sunday, February 16th, 1 pm–3 pm

Experience the Pottery Wheel: Make a Small Bowl with Roberta Ahuja: Saturday, April 4th, 1 pm–5:30 pm

A Weekend in the Life: April 11th–13th—A weekend of exciting community events in New Milford.

Make it a Weekend Getaway!

New Milford is a wonderful destination to spend the day or weekend! Stroll through our charming town, explore unique shops! It’s the perfect mix of art, culture, and relaxation.

Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

New Milford Commission on the Arts

11 Railroad St., New Milford, CT 06776

860-355-6009 * gallery25ct.com

Open Friday & Saturday 12-6 and Sunday 10-4

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

Inside the Story, Substance, and Significance of the Book that Defines Judaism

Join us for our upcoming Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) series “Decoding the Talmud: Enter the intricate world of the Talmud: the monumental classic that has defined Jewish learning for centuries. Join this six-week course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute to discover the Talmud, its history, authors, and significance—and experience it for yourself.

You’ll learn the key terms, logical principles, and historical context required to decode every part of the Talmudic page. Plus, see how it became central to Jewish life and why it inspires fascination, debate, and study today.

Classes meet in-person on six Sunday mornings.

Step right up to our delightful BLT - Bagels. Lox. Tefillin. event! Join us on Sundays from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, running from July 4th to August 25th, for a heartwarming experience.

Wrap Tefillin, recite a prayer, and relish in the scrumptious bagels, lox cream cheese, paired perfectly with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. It's more than just a meal; it's a chance to truly connect, to embrace your Jewish traditions, and simply enjoy each other's company. Don't worry if you don't have your own Tefillin - we've got you covered with our guidance and equipment.

No prior knowledge required - just bring yourself and an open heart. This event is family-friendly, so bring along the little ones for a meaningful and delicious experience. Come hungry, leave happy - we'll take care of the rest!

August 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes.

 These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come

Opening Celebration January 19

January 19, 2025 – March 30, 2025Homeward to the Prairie I Come showcases the work of Gordon Parks (1912-2006), a pioneering photographer, poet, filmmaker, musician, and composer. After becoming LIFE Magazine’s first Black staff photographer in 1948, Parks captured diverse images of life in the 20th century. Paired with his lesser-known works of poetry, this exhibition positions Parks within the history of art and provides a catalogue of his wide-ranging interests beyond documentary photography.

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

Opening Celebration February 23

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

After decades of photographing everyday life, artist Arthur Nager turned his attention to documenting the Naugatuck Valley. This exhibition compares Nager’s earlier works in black and white with recent color compositions of the region that capture the architecture and landscape of the Greater Waterbury area.

The reception and opening celebration for our new exhibitions will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Opening remarks will take place at 1 pm. The Museum will offer a reduced admission of $5 for the day.

Modern Women: Georgia O’Keeffe & Kay Sage

February 23, 2025 – June 8, 2025

For the first time, Modern Women: Georgia O’Keeffe and Kay Sage places the work of these two pioneering female artists in conversation with each other. Using artwork, photographs, objects, and ephemera, this exhibition traces their personal artistic trajectories within the larger context of their life experiences. O’Keeffe (1887-1986) Sage (1898-1963) both came of age and artistic maturity in the early 20th century, a time of social and political upheaval alongside rapid technological change. Modern Women sheds light on how these two female artists responded to the challenges and opportunities of working in the early- to mid- twentieth century, eventually rising to prominence in important Modernist movements.

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

After decades of photographing everyday life, artist Arthur Nager turned his attention to documenting the Naugatuck Valley. This exhibition compares Nager’s earlier works in black and white with recent color compositions of the region that capture the architecture and landscape of the Greater Waterbury area.

Enjoy a magical afternoon with us while you mingle with your favorite princesses & characters!

We encourage you to Dress to Impress!

$45 per 1 adult & 1 Child includes: Assorted drinks, Snacks, Make Your Own Sundaes, Freeze Dance, Crafts to take home and more!

Additional adults or children attending in your family are $22.50 per person.

Advanced reservations required

Artists Kathleen Borkowski and Aaron Borkowski will exhibit their work at the Norfolk Library during the month of February in an exhibition entitled “You and Me”. Kathleen has been a lettering artist since the 1980s when she took her first calligraphy class. She puts letters, words, and symbols together to create an image. Her studio is in Whiting Mills, and her work includes painting on paper and book making. Aaron is currently creating images using digital phone photography, which he edits and manipulates with phone applications to achieve the desired end result. Aaron has recently exhibited his photos at Five Points Gallery in Torrington and Gallery on the Green in Canton.

Join us on Sunday, Feb 23 at 1pm as we host the CT Museum of Culture and History as they present their program: The Hartford Circus Fire.

This is a free event.

Light refreshments will be served.

Embark on a delicious journey back to the 18th century and witness the captivating art of chocolate-making! Our presenters from The Pewter Pot LLC in Salem, CT will demonstrate the traditional tools and methods used to transform the humble cacao bean into rich, delicious chocolate. We’ll see the entire process from roasting to refinement – and sample some of the results! Products from The Pewter Pot will be available for purchase after the program. Who knew history could be so delicious? This FREE program will be held in the Harwinton Town Hall Assembly Room. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Harwinton Historical Society and the Harwinton Public Library.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to welcome author Rod Oneglia who will be here signing copies of his new novel “A Quiet Grief” on Sunday, February 23rd at 2 pm.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1938, a young, idealistic propaganda minister in Benito Mussolini's fascist government (Gianni Orlandini) meets a Venetian girl of patrician family (Gabriella De Luca), also a nurse in the Italian Red Cross.

She is "the most beautiful woman" he has ever seen. He "wears good will upon his heart like a badge of honor". Enraptured they fall in love and plan to marry. All as Adolf Hitler places his first Nazi SS operatives in Rome to secure his "Pact of Steel" with Mussolini prior to the start of World War II.

As Germans arrive, they are welcomed. But when Hitler's chief designate (Heinrich Durer) - believing himself of "master race" begins to degrade Italian life and Italians themselves - Gianni begins to question his support for his fascist government which allowed Durer entrance to Italian soil. When Durer ultimately harms members of Gabriella's family to show support for the Reich, Gianni's journey to destroy the SS officer and to embarrass Mussolini becomes an obsession.

Working in secrecy while maintaining his position in Mussolini's regime he forms an astonishing coalition of Italian resistance fighters as diverse as an opera diva, a Jewish banker from Milan, a nurse from Flint Michigan on holiday in Italy at the time and a stage hand from the Teatro Reggio in Torino, and sets a plot to accomplish his goal. The emotional gut needed for this struggle shows the power of stalwart, honest people who want democracy returned to their land. The struggle brings both exhilaration and sorrow.

“A Quiet Grief” is particularly relevant today as world, and US, politics veer ever closer to an "open" acceptance of authoritarian ideology. The work was presented as a work in progress at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference in August 2023 and received positive response.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Oneglia loves Italy. All of it. For its unbelievable history, its art, its architecture, its food and especially for the diversity of its regions settled by people from all corners of the globe who traversed its boundaries over the centuries introducing their own cultures into the mix.

His education includes a BA from Middlebury College, study abroad in Florence, a JD from the University of Connecticut, and a year at the Wharton School. He is a multifaceted writer, having authored three plays, a musical, a humor book("Twas The Night Before Hannukah”), a collection of Vietnam War poems, and a series of short stories. Additionally, he sculpts bronze works which are part of private collections and a museum.

Oneglia has served on the Board of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, the Oliver Wolcott Library, the Litchfield Historical Society, the Torrington Historical Society and various other philanthropic institutions and business entities in NW CT.

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve signed copies of “A Quiet Place” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com. 

We mark the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby. It’s said that F. Scott Fitzgerald invented the term “Jazz Age”, so it’s perfectly fitting that we celebrate with this “jazz orchestra” concert featuring swinging hits of the 1920’s.

WaterburySymphony.org

Garet&Co Presents: "From All Angles," the company's third annual performance in the glorious space of Battell Chapel in Norfolk CT, where each of their pieces will be set in the round. In "From All Angles," audience members will witness Garet&Co translate three of the works presented at their fall show, "Can't Keep Friends," to be in the round, where viewers can truly witness each piece from a new angle. In addition to re-staging these three works, Garet&Co will also be premiering TWO brand new works created for "From All Angles," including a site specific work made specially for the beautiful performance space. Finally but most notably, Garet&Co will also be bringing back an excerpt of their preeminent piece, "and sometimes i wish" for this show.

On SATURDAY ONLY: Audience members will be treated to a post-show reception and Q&A! Celebrate with Garet&Co!

ON SUNDAY ONLY: Audience members can enjoy a pre-show performance, where dancers will be performing an installation work in the space as the audience enters.

Garet&Co will also be offering several classes in the performance space at Battell Chapel during their time in the space:

- Int/Adv Technique 2/2 11:30-1

- Int/Adv Contemporary Phrase Work 2/16 12:30-2

- Beg Contemporary 2/23 1-2 (join this class prior to the Sunday show for a special discounted package of class + show tickets!)

- Int/Adv Contemporary 2/23 2-3 (join this class prior to the Sunday show for a special discounted package of class + show tickets!)

Garet&Co hopes to celebrate dance with you at "From All Angles!"

Show run time: 60 minutes

THE PRESIDENTS PASTA DINNER HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Come meet the woman who volunteer with the Woman’s Club of Greater. New Milford. Enjoy some hot cocoa and snacks and find out how you can help our community through the many projects we do. “We are Girl Scouts” for grownups!

"Talismans" – is an online art show of the objects, people or ideas which guide us. 

Visual artist, video, music ands poetry.

Launches January 10

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 750 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 66 countries in 30 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles

https://www.personaland.com

We are having a snowman building contest throughout our city! The rules are simple,

build your creation, give it a name, snap a photo, and email erin_demers@torringtonct.org! We made the time frame big (just in case snow is limited) so you will have plenty of time to get outside and get building.

All snow creations will be entered into each category.

We will have a public vote where everyone will be able to see all of the fantastic builds throughout Torrington! Get thinking and get building!

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

SUBMISSIONS

February 1 – April 1, 2025

The Woodbury Public Library is delighted to once again host the Nonnewaug High School Senior Showcase featuring the award winning art of NHS Seniors Jackson Brent, Logan Feng, Kayleigh Gingras, Molly Hartmann, Kiera Jacobi, Ava Parks, Audey Rogers, Zodie Smith, and Sophie Solury. The student’s work will be on display in the Library’s Gallery Space with a reception for the artists on February 8th at 2:00 PM. The students were taught by NHS Art Teacher Leeza DesJardins, an award winning artist in her own right. Her students go on to receive many art awards and many pursue a career in the arts after high school. 

Artists Kathleen Borkowski and Aaron Borkowski will exhibit their work at the Norfolk Library during the month of February in an exhibition entitled “You and Me”. Kathleen has been a lettering artist since the 1980s when she took her first calligraphy class. She puts letters, words, and symbols together to create an image. Her studio is in Whiting Mills, and her work includes painting on paper and book making. Aaron is currently creating images using digital phone photography, which he edits and manipulates with phone applications to achieve the desired end result. Aaron has recently exhibited his photos at Five Points Gallery in Torrington and Gallery on the Green in Canton.

An internationally known sculptor, Joy Brown’s larger than life human figures are instantly recognizable. And while her bronze sculptures grace public spaces from Beijing to New York City, each piece begins as a clay figure fired at her home studio in Kent, CT.

An opening reception for The Art of Joy Brown takes place Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Tremaine Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays.

Kids up to 5 years old and their caregivers are invited to come Monday mornings for some creative fun. This indoor activity is an easy way to entertain your little ones and get the wiggles out.

Space is limited, please register on our website at https://www.gunnlibrary.org/series/toddler-fun-time/

Music and Rhyme for Children from Birth to 3s! A program for babies and their caretakers that incorporates music, rhythm, stories, and nursery rhymes to spur language development, body awareness, pre-reading skills, self-confidence, and cooperation. Gathering at 10:15, the program begins at 10:30.

Registration appreciated, drop-ins welcome!

"Clay and Quill": an exhibit of ceramics, paintings and calligraphy by Master Painter & Calligrapher Alibaba Awrang and Master Potter Matin Malikzada.

Alibaba Awrang is a leading contemporary calligrapher. Trained in Iran as a traditional Persian calligrapher, Awrang’s work has evolved to a new artistic form of calligraphy that blurs the lines between textual and visual expression, weaving letters and words into vibrant, lyric, and evocative paintings. In the artist’s own words: “In my painting, I present a contemporary, abstract approach to a traditional art form.”

At the pinnacle of his artistic career, in 2021 Awrang and his family were evacuated from Afghanistan by the U.S. Department of State, when the Taliban took control of the country.

Told to bring only what was essential for his family’s journey, Awrang packed a few sheets of paper, bamboo pens and a bottle of ink. Now resettled in Northwest CT, his richly layered work continues to tell stories, inspired by his life experience and ancient poetry.

Awrang’s work is included in esteemed private and public collections worldwide, including the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Quatar, the IFC Collection/World Bank Group in Washington DC, the RMIT Museum and Gallery in Melbourne, Australia, and the Etihad Museum in Dubai.

His work is currently featured in a show at the Wadsworth Atheneum (through April 13, 2025), entitled Divine Geometry: Islamic Art, as well as a year-long installation of his calligraphy on the four walls of the entry hall of the museum; in the 2024 Sydney Biennale; and in two prominent exhibitions in Connecticut: a 2023 show at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, entitled Uprooted: From Afghanistan to Connecticut; and a 2022 sold-out exhibition at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens in Litchfield County, entitled From Kabul to Connecticut. His work is well known in the Eastern world, with prior exhibitions in Kabul, Tehran, Bahrain, Dubai, Istanbul, among others.

Alibaba’s first west coast solo show will be at 836M, a San Francisco-based gallery, entitled Didar that opened on January 16, 2025.

Awrang was born in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan in 1972. He received his Bachelor and his Master of Calligraphy degrees at the Iranian Calligraphy Association, respectively, in Shiraz and Tehran, Iran. He taught painting and chaired the Calligraphy and Miniature Painting Department at the Turquoise Mountain Institute, established in Kabul by King Charles III of the United Kingdom, to preserve the cultural heritage of Afghanistan.

His work has been published in several books, including Kelke Khyal (Calligraphy of Alibaba Awrang), 2015). In 2024, Awrang received an Assets for Artists award from the MASS MoCA Museum in North Adams, Massachusetts.

A seventh-generation Afghan master of traditional pottery, Matin Malikzada is internationally recognized for his technical skill and elegant designs.

A native of Istalif, Afghanistan, once a vibrant center of ceramic art and commerce, Matin was forced to flee Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. Along with his family, he is now resettled in Northwest Connecticut, where he continues his journey as an artist.

In Kabul, Matin served as head of the Ceramics Department at the Turquoise Mountain Institute, where in his youth he studied and honed the skills inherited from his father. Upon graduating, he was hired as a Master of Ceramics, and ultimately rose to lead the department.

Matin revitalized a nearly lost art of symmetrical design and turquoise glaze derived from natural pigments unique to Istalifi pottery and has trained over one hundred artisans in these ancient techniques.

In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in Law from Tabesh University in Kabul, he has earned Certificates in Design and Crafts from the City and Guilds Institute of London, been a visiting artist at the Institute of Ceramic Studies at Shigaraki, Japan, demonstrated his skills at Davos, and authored books on Istalifi pottery.

Matin was awarded an NEA Creative Partnership Grant from the NW CT Arts Council to support his teaching a series of master classes as well as a traditional arts teaching grant from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Additionally, in an exhibition entitled Uprooted: From Afghanistan to Connecticut at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Matin tells the story of the impact of displacement on and through his work. One of three artists in the state, Matin received the Emerging Creative Award from the CT Office of the Arts. And recently, in collaboration with designer Bunny Williams and Bunny Williams Home, Matin created an exclusive collection of tableware and decorative pottery.

As a practicing artist for nearly twenty years, Matin has exhibited his work and demonstrated his skill to heads of state, dignitaries, artists, educators, as well as museum- and gallery-goers around the world.

Learn to play Cribbage and/or compete against other players in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere of casual play!