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
20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers Event- Call For Submissions
Strangers become friends through art making
Global artists have been randomly paired and tasked to create an artwork together.
See the results and watch the video of their relationships,
You can also check out the earlier Stranger Show of two years ago. https://personaland.com/hut/exhibition/strangers
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
The Stranger Show 2
Mail us your Postcard Art
A throwback to the 20th Century Mail Art movement, we're inviting artists from around the world to send us your art on a postcard.
One side: Your art, the other side, we need your name, email address, title of work, any artist statement addressed to:
Personaland PO Box 219 Harwinton, CT 06791
Just the cost of postage. Deadline for cards - May 5
We plan to exhibit the postcards at global art locations
Going Postal 2
Residents of New Milford only are encouraged to tap into their creative side in the coming weeks. The second annual New Milford Poetry Contest has returned, with submissions being accepted now through April 25. The Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts and New Milford Public Library are co-sponsors of the New Milford Poetry Contest. The contest is open to New Milford residents in four age categories: youth 8-12; young adult 13-18; adult 19-55; and senior 56+.
The literary arts offering, which celebrates National Poetry Month in April, will conclude with a public poetry reading and awards ceremony.
For more information, visit the NewMilfordNow.org story about the contest.
New Milford Poetry Contest - 2025
Two stranger become friends by collaborating on a work of art.
See the visual and videos online
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
Stranger Show
The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the Burlington Town Hall at 200 Spielman Highway, Burlington, CT on Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 8:00 am to 1:00pm.
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767. Use Sponsor Code: BurlingtonCT
Blood Drive
Winsted Restaurant Week is your opportunity to try as many restaurants as your schedule allows for one incredibly low fixed price. Ever wonder about that restaurant you’ve heard about or driven by all those times? Winsted Restaurant Week 2025 is your chance to give it a try at a reduced cost.
Winsted Restaurant Week
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.
The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, April 6. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.
Art Exhibition by Doug Bloom and Justin Perlman
Artist/author and college professor Steven Parlato brings his collage series, “They Are Not Disposable” to the Woodbury Public Library. The series, which depicts sixteen Black Americans whose lives were stolen due to racial violence is part tribute and part call to action.
The Middlebury artist's work has graced theater posters and book covers, and he’s exhibited throughout CT and in NJ, PA, and OH. An award-winning poet and college professor, Parlato is the author of two young adult novels, The Namesake (winner of the 2011 Tassy Walden Award for New Voices in YA Fiction) and The Precious Dreadful. Both explore grief, loss, and hope. On stage, he’s played roles ranging from the Scarecrow to Macbeth. Parlato offers writing workshops at libraries throughout CT. Follow him on FB at Steven Parlato Author and IG: @stevenparlato.
Art for Change: They Are Not Disposable Collage by Steven Parlato
Something GIANT is coming to the Gunn Memorial Library! The Junior Library invites all members of our community to join us for Story Mode, a creative storytelling adventure leading up to the start of Summer Reading in June!
In collaboration with the GIANT Room, a New York City-based innovation hub for kids, the Junior Library will provide four Remix activities Stations. These stations will allow you, your friends, and your family to draw and invent unique characters, settings, and plot twists and see them transformed into published trading cards, games, and comic strips.
Every Remix Station is a self-directed activity, so you can complete it on your own time with or without the help of a librarian. The Junior Library also offers “Creation Hours” every week, during which you can use supplies from the Makerspace to bring your vision to life. Be sure to check the library’s website for the complete schedule!
Each month focuses on a different part of your story:
- March 8-29, dream up your character. Complete a character sheet with a drawing of an avatar and its traits, including powers, power rating, voice, favorites, items, weaknesses, strengths, birthday, habitat, physical features, awards, and more. The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card for you!
- April 5-26, build your own city and create a place for the story to happen. Engineer a building and decide its materials and unique features. The GIANT Room will remix this creation into another printed trading card featuring their building sketch, an AI-generated 3D render of it and its features.
- May 3-24, create challenges for your character. Help create a deck of “Would You Rather” questions by submitting a question that help you reflect on your emotions, make you smile with a rhyme, spark a debate, or give you the giggles! The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card.
- June 7-28, tell a story about your character. Write and illustrate a comic strip using a pre-made template, and the GIANT Room will remix it into a printed poster.
- Saturday, June 21, from 10-12 pm kick off summer reading and level up your character’s story as you visit several activity stations at this community event with the GIANT Room.
This is a great opportunity to express your creativity, collaborate with your community, and see your ideas come to life!
This program was made possible by the Connecticut State Library.
Story Mode with The Giant Room
Looking for an intimate meaningful Prayer experience... At Chabad we don't pray with labels or levels. Every one talks to G‑d on their level and in their language and pace. The service are led in the beautiful traditional manner but are tailored to the individual's needs.
Followed by a Congregational Kiddush.
* All are Welcome
* NO Membership
* Spirited, song-filled prayers
* Warm, Friendly Community
* User-Friendly Services
* Relaxed, non-judgemental atmosphere
* Hebrew/English Prayer-Books
Join The Shabbat Experience
Create an original woven design using yarn made from natural fibers and explore one of the oldest forms of textile production alongside your fellow weaving companions. This traditional hand weaving workshop will cover techniques in winding two-color warps, dressing a floor loom in preparation to weave, and finishing cloth processes.
Instructor: Sophia DeJesus-Sabella
Saturdays, March 15 & 22, 2025
10 AM - 4 PM
Ages: 16+
Members: $175.50
Non-Members: $195
Introduction to Weaving Intensive
Discover the unique characteristics of bookbinding in this comprehensive workshop designed to address all levels. Learn a variety of hand sewing techniques to create different book structures which include the Do-Si-Do, Stick Bound Book, Japanese Stab Binding, Signature Sewn Hardcover, and the Coptic Stitch. Expand your knowledge of book arts in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
Instructor: Chris Perry
Saturdays, March 8, 15 & 22, 2025
10 AM - 1 PM
Ages: 14+
Members: $121.50
Non-Members: $135
The Art of Book Binding
Learn how to grow a heart that is ready for anything!
Meditation is a time-tested, evidence-based tool for regaining balance and locating joy.
Learn how to train our minds for stability and our hearts for peace. We will explore time-honored practices that can be done anywhere to grow roots in a constantly changing world.
Together, we will look at why people meditate, discuss the benefits of regular practice, and learn important foundational techniques to support a home practice. We will:
- Embrace mindfulness in daily activity
- Learn ways to overcome the obstacles that arise around practice
- Sit together in a guided meditation each week
- Share reflections and questions as we go
- Explore mindfulness in movement and eating
- Discuss ways of creating a supportive home practice
Summon your curiosity and see what quieting a busy mind is like. You are welcome if you have a practice needing refreshing or if you are simply curious and imagine this practice might be a valuable tool for your well-being.
BIO: Sheila Klapper’s unwavering dedication to meditation spans many decades, practicing within various traditions. In 2021, she completed an intensive 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. For 9 years, Sheila taught in community centers, adult education programs, and libraries in Northwestern, CT. During COVID, she began leading virtual groups that continued for several years. She started a bi-monthly meditation group at the Litchfield Community Center more than 5 years ago that continues to serve a welcoming group of meditators.
Sheila became a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2000 and briefly ran her yoga studio in Glastonbury, CT. Later, she brought her commitment to wellness to Hartford Hospital, where she taught yoga and meditation to both staff and patients while serving as a Medical Librarian.
Registration is required. Visit https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/mindfulness-meditation-to-balance-renew-with-sheila-klapper/
Gunn Memorial Library Adult program - Mindfulness Meditation to Balance and Renew, with Sheila Klapper
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of wheel throwing with an emphasis on individual experimentation and expressive design. Explore surface techniques such as graffito, clip trailing, and glaze application. All levels of experience are welcome.
Instructor: Kathy Cady
Saturdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2025
10 AM - 2 PM
Ages: 18+
Members: $315
Non-Members: $350
Ceramic Wheel Throwing and Surface Techniques
"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.
"Clay and Quill"
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.
The Art of Joy Brown
Litchfield’s three newest restaurants, La Catrina in Bantam, the Lost Fox Inn, and The Courtroom restaurant at The Abner Hotel are all participating, and Arethusa a mano, the coffee/breakfast/lunch/dessert spot in the Arethusa Farm family, is joining restaurant week for the first time.
That brings the total of participating venues to 21, and they range from coffeehouses, bakeries, and diners to cafés and award-winning fine dining restaurants.
See the RW page for menus, links, and phone numbers.
Each of the 21 participating venues will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu at $25, $35 or $50, with some spots serving daytime special packages, others serving a special restaurant week lunch, and still others presenting both lunch and dinner menus.
Litchfield Distillery is also participating in Litchfield Restaurant Week, donating bottles of its award-winning spirits to restaurants that will create special Litchfield Restaurant Week cocktails.
VisitLitchfieldCT.com is the official source of news and updates about Litchfield Restaurant Week, which is sponsored by the Town of Litchfield’s Economic Development Commission, the Lost Fox Inn, and other area businesses.
The EDC encourages restaurant week guests to tag @VisitLitchfieldCT when posting on Facebook and Instagram, as well as tagging Instagram posts #litchfieldrestaurantweek.
Call ahead to book your reservations for lunch and dinner. You won’t want to miss out on these delicious three-course special menus!
Litchfield Restaurant Week
Curious about 3D printing? Learn the basics of this amazing technology as you create your own 3D printed keychain in the Makerspace! You’ll discover how to create a 3D model using Tinkercad software and then prepare your file for printing with Cura. Keychains will be printed after the workshop and can be picked up at the library at a later date.
Grades 4-5
Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/kids-workshop-3d-printed-keychains-grades-4-5/
All participants must have a signed GML Makerspace waiver on file. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete this paperwork if this is your first Makerspace program.
Gunn Memorial Library Kids Workshop: 3D Printed Keychains
This is the show for lovers of Vintage Pop Culture.
It's almost that time again. Another of our New MIlford Vintage Mania shows to start off the New Year. It's the show for lovers of Vintage Pop Culture. We will have special guest artist there as well as Vendors with tables full of comics, sport and non sport cards, Vintage Magazines, Vintage Pulp Magazines, Vintage Paperbacks, Vintage toys and games, Classic movies on VHS and DVD, 8mm collector movies, Vintage Tv guides,movie posters and lobby cards and a Whole lot more !
Door prizes every hour ! You never know what you might win . Only $1.00 admission. Come down and see us and bring some friends. We still have some Vendor tables available. If interested please contact me. See ya'll then
NEW MILFORD'S VINTAGE MANIA POP CULTURE COLLECTIBLE SHOW
The New Milford Public Library will host an exhibit of quilts made by members of the Mountain Laurel Quilters’ Guild as part of the Guild's 25th Anniversary celebration. The exhibit launches with an opening reception that is open to the public on March 15 from 1pm - 3pm. Citizens are invited to view the exhibit during regular library hours from March 15 through April 24. Quilts on display will demonstrate the diversity of quilting today and will include styles from art quilts to more traditional pieces. In addition to members' quilts, there will be an opening day display of a
vintage quilt made with fabric from the New Milford Bleachery. For more information contact the Library at 860-355-1191. For more information about joining the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild, please contact Maureen Raftery at Maureenbrandy@yahoo.com. In addition to a robust program of quilting-related
speakers, the Guild supports local charities with comfort quilts and other quilted items.
Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Join us for Gardening with George! This is the fourth class in a five part series, however you do not need to attend all classes. The focus of this class is to learn how to grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries currents, gooseberries, and grapes. We will discuss the best varieties to grow. Registration is only for this class and required.
Gardening with George: Growing Small Fruits
Saturdays in March at 10:30 AM at OWL
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 January 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!
Saturdays at OWL–Stay to Play!
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.
Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come
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.
Arthur Nager: Building Stories
Budding actors are invited to join staff members from Waterbury’s City Youth Theater for a 4-week acting class series at the Woodbury Public Library.
At the hands-on program, students will foster acting skills through ensemble building and improvisation techniques, and will work with monologues and other text throughout the course. Classes will begin with physical and vocal warm ups. No previous experience necessary. The acting class is open to all interested students in grades 6 & up, and like all library programs, is free, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Woodbury Public Library. Registration is required as space is limited.
Based in Waterbury, Connecticut, City Youth Theater is open to high school and middle school students and is committed to developing theater skills that challenge each student to perform at their highest skill levels on and off the stage. The techniques shared during the rehearsal process are applied productively to any endeavor students may encounter, whether or not they pursue a theatrical career, and help prepare them for a challenging, exciting world.
City Youth Theater Instructor Catherine Pelkey has been a dedicated and energetic educator to students both big and small. After graduating from SUNY Purchase with a concentration in theatre and performance, Catherine moved home to CT where she has since combined her passions for theater and working with children in classroom, workshop, and after school program settings—Focusing on movement, gameplay, and collaboration as a means of expression and growth on and off stage. Catherine is excited to work with CYT and a new batch of students this coming March!
Teen Acting Class with City Youth Theater
Director’s Choice is a celebration of the talented artists who the gallery represents some who have been with me since the very beginning others for twenty or more years.
Thirty years ago, I never could have imagined that what began as a small idea would become a life’s work. I am proud to say that the gallery supports many artists in a multitude of ways allowing them to continue their important contributions and work. The rewards, the complexities and the sheer tenacity that being in this business for three decades requires are many; countless studio visits, writing hundreds of press releases and letters of recommendation, juggling finances in a fluctuating marketplace, managing personalities of artists, collectors and art advisors (OY!), marketing, sales, parties, dinners, long installation days, endless loading and unloading my SUV, gallons of white paint only eclipsed by the gallons of white wine and so much more. It has been a journey worth celebrating.
The Director’s Choice exhibition is installed in both beautiful buildings in Kent, CT and includes almost every artist in the program. Artists who have forthcoming exhibitions or were recently featured in exhibitions are not included in Director's Choice but are valued members of the team and we thank them. It has been my honor to exhibit their work and support their careers.
A special thanks goes out to the many employees and interns who have contributed to the gallery. My sincere and deep gratitude goes to Associate Director Lani Holloway who celebrated her 10-year anniversary at the gallery in 2024.
Artists: Daniel Anselmi, Jackie Battenfield, Gabe Brown, Cecile Chong, David Collins, Susan English, Gregory Hennen, Mary Judge, Andrea Kantrowitz, David Konigsberg, Margaret Lanzetta, Joanne Mattera, Laura Moriarty, Margaret Neill, Melanie Parke, Donna Sharrett, Eve Stockton, Josette Urso, Eleanor White, Tricia Wright
Please contact Lani Ming Holloway, Associate Director, Lani@kbfa.com, 860 560 3085 with inquires or to arrange a preview of the exhibition.
Director's Choice (celebrating 30 years)
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.
Exhibit: O'Keeffe in Conversation
Join us as we welcome Shannon Blanton to our newest gallery show.
From New Milford, CT as an established artist with a focus on natural flora and fauna. Her oil and watercolor works are multimedia using nature as her pallet.
Recently voted one of the top visual artists in Litchfield Magazine
Her paintings can be viewed for the month of March.
View her paintings here: https://www.studioshannonblanton.com/
Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT.
Call with any questions (860) 354-4318.
Gallery Show featuring Shannon Blanton
In Dialogue: The Figure in Painting, Drawing and Sculpture.
New work by Karen Bonanno at a mano gallery
Exhibition Dates: February 28th through March 28th
Opening Reception: Friday, February 28th from 6-8pm
In Dialogue: The Figure in Painting, Drawing and Sculpture by Karen Bonanno
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!
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
Art in Bloom: Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station Spring Show
An evening filled with dance! Classical ballet highlights from Napoli and Don Quixote. Also including new creations by guest choreographers, Thel Moore and Brian Reeder. Performed by the students of The Nutmeg Ballet.
The Nutmeg Ballet - Spring Performance Series
Museum still features ‘Jewish Experience’ exhibit
The New Milford Historical Society & Museum will host its temporary exhibit titled “The Jewish Experience in New Milford” through April 25.
This exhibit is part of an ongoing series to explore the historical experience of various ethnic groups in New Milford, which already features exhibits on Black Americans and indigenous peoples.
For an appointment or for more information, or for those with research needs, call the museum at 860-354-3069 or email nmhistorical@gmail.com.
Jewish exhibit at New Milford Historical Society
On Saturday, March 22nd at 1 pm the David M. Hunt Library, in partnership with Music Mountain, will host Zarifa Adiba, a violist from Kabul, Afghanistan and author of the memoir "Playing for Freedom". Zarifa is one of the first two female conductors in Afghanistan and has conducted the Zohra Orchestra, Afghanistan's first and only all female orchestra. Zarifa will speak about her experience of growing up in Afghanistan, finding opportunities to nurture her love of music in a culture that sees it as "sinful" and her work as an activist for girls and education. Zarifa will also share a recording of new music with the audience. This event is free and open to the public.
Playing for Freedom: The Journey of Afghan Violist Zarifa Adiba
“Photographs I could have taken but did not!“
Presented by: Thaddeus Kubis
If you could go back in time to your childhood, what photographs would you have created?
Join Five Points Arts Center instructor, professional photographer, and visual time machine camera operator in an exposition of his artistic journey and lifelong passion which spurred his creative career and lead him to create “Photographs I could have taken but did not!”.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
2 – 3:30 PM
Five Points Arts Center
Free and open to the public
Creative Arts Lecture by Thaddeus Kubis
Join a museum educator for this introductory course on comic illustration. Students will learn the fundamentals of illustration, as well as how to consider storytelling in your art. Participants are encouraged to attend all 3 sessions as each class will build up the previous week. All supplies provided.
3 Part Series: March 15, 22, 29
Cost
Adult: $45
Member: $35
Teen 13-18: $40
Sponsored by Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund
Adult Comic Illustration Class
Discussing his latest book A Translation of Dante's Vita Nuova, one of the world's greatest stories of love.
About the Speaker:
Joseph Luzzi is the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College. Professor Luzzi will be speaking on his recently published translation of Dante Alighieri’s Vita Nuova, universally regarded as one of the great works of western literature.
Joseph Luzzi received his PhD from Yale University and is the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College, where he also teaches courses on film and Italian Studies. He is the author of five books, including his most recent work, Botticelli’s Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance (Norton, 2022), a New Yorker’s Best Books of 2022 and Guardian Book of the Day selection.
30 free copies of Vita Nuova will be available on a first come first serve basis
JCC Speaker Series: Professor Joseph Luzzi
NMHS Theatre presents Legally Blonde.
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie,
Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances-this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle geniously charms her into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Come see our fantastic cast, stage crew, and pit orchestra perform in this fun show!
NMHS Theatre presents Legally Blonde
March 22 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
To celebrate the final weeks of Gordon Parks on display, join Quinn Mitchell and Friends for an enjoyable afternoon jazz concert! This 5-piece group will play a variety of jazz and R&B numbers to set the mood and have all in attendance ready for more.
Cost
$20.00 per General
$15.00 per Member
Sponsored by Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund
Jazz Concert: Quinn Mitchell and Friends
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!
Hot Cocoa Meet & Greet
Women, Wine, & Wheel
Saturday, 22nd 6:30-9:30PM
Ready for some serious fun with friends? Picture this: laughter, creativity, and a pottery wheel at your fingertips!
Join us for a super fun 2-day pottery adventure. On day one, you'll dive in and create your first masterpiece on the wheel. Then, come back for day two and give it a perfect trim. On your third visit, you can glaze your creation however you like (no rush, take your time!). All this for just $129 each. It’s the perfect blend of fun and art—grab a spot and let’s get spinning!
You must pre-register.
Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318
https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar
Women, Wine, & Wheel
Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure — this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all — with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child High School Edition is a special adaptation of the beloved worldwide hit. Tailored for high school theatre productions, it provides young actors the opportunity to play Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all of their favorite characters on their very own stage and bring the wizarding world to life for their communities. Waterbury Arts Magnet School Theatre Department conjure the magic of live entertainment, making it a truly exciting and engaging experience for students and audiences alike.
WAMS Theatre presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Clams : "A Celebration of 1960's and 70's R'n'B, Classic & British Rock" w special guest Bob O'Connor.
The Clams are a NY band, Made up of Jimmy Ekizian: Lead vocals and trumpet, Bruce Peeters: Keyboards, Saxophone and vocals, John Langworthy: Bass guitar and vocals, Bobby Bauer: Drums and vocals and Rory Gordon: Guitar and vocals.
The Clams currently perform at festivals, nightclubs and private parties in the tri state area. They recently had the privilege of opening for KT Tunstall at Catamount Ski Resort.
The Clams are a smaller version of The legendary Hey Baby Band! This band is comprised of current and former members. The Hey Baby concept was brought on stage by Lead singer/ trumpet player, Jimmy Ekizian, in 1984.Uninspired by the MTV revolution of the early 80's, Jimmy launched a band capable of recapturing the magic of the music from the 60's and 70's. R'n'B, Funk, Blues and Rock n Roll, was the foundation. Over the decades, Hey Baby has shared the stage with such greats as: Three Dog Night, NRBQ, Southside Johnny and played the 25th anniversary of Woodstock in 1994.
The Clams stay true to their Hey Baby lineage and recreate the music of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Van Morrison, Sly and the Family Stone, Joe Cocker, Santana, Chicago, The Allman Brothers, The Doors and a big dose of The Beatles.
With a signature sound all their own and infectious rhythms,
The Clams will dare you to sit still!
The Clams "A Celebration of 1960's and 70's R'n'B, Classic & British Rock"
NMHS Theatre presents Legally Blonde.
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie,
Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances-this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle geniously charms her into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Come see our fantastic cast, stage crew, and pit orchestra perform in this fun show!
NMHS Theatre presents Legally Blonde
Saturday March 22
Live music - Indie Folk adjacent type tunes featuring:
Jesus Maldonado & Velvet
Mother Juniper
Lars and Their Lilac Uke
Greenholt
Musician Links -
https://motherjuniper.bandcamp.com/
https://greenholt.bandcamp.com/album/shadow
Jesus Maldonado & Velvet, Mother Juniper, Lars and Their Lilac Uke, Greenholt
Set in New York City's East Village during the late 1980s, "Rent" follows a group of struggling young artists confronting the harsh realities of poverty, addiction, and the AIDS crisis while pursuing their dreams of creative expression and meaningful connection. The musical centers on friends Mark, a filmmaker, and Roger, a musician, along with their diverse group of bohemian friends, including Collins, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, and Mimi, as they navigate love, loss, and survival in the face of economic hardship and the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. Based loosely on Puccini's opera "La Bohème" and written by Jonathan Larson, "Rent" is a powerful rock musical that celebrates life, love, and the resilient human spirit.
March 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 at 8:00 pm
March 16, 23, 30 at 2:00 pm
Admission $26 (not including fees)
Box Office 860-283-6250
www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org
Rent the Musical
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.
Gunn Memorial Library Stairwell Gallery Presents: “For the Love of Animals" by Caryn King
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
20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers Event- Call For Submissions
Mail us your Postcard Art
A throwback to the 20th Century Mail Art movement, we're inviting artists from around the world to send us your art on a postcard.
One side: Your art, the other side, we need your name, email address, title of work, any artist statement addressed to:
Personaland PO Box 219 Harwinton, CT 06791
Just the cost of postage. Deadline for cards - May 5
We plan to exhibit the postcards at global art locations
Going Postal 2
Strangers become friends through art making
Global artists have been randomly paired and tasked to create an artwork together.
See the results and watch the video of their relationships,
You can also check out the earlier Stranger Show of two years ago. https://personaland.com/hut/exhibition/strangers
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
The Stranger Show 2
Residents of New Milford only are encouraged to tap into their creative side in the coming weeks. The second annual New Milford Poetry Contest has returned, with submissions being accepted now through April 25. The Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts and New Milford Public Library are co-sponsors of the New Milford Poetry Contest. The contest is open to New Milford residents in four age categories: youth 8-12; young adult 13-18; adult 19-55; and senior 56+.
The literary arts offering, which celebrates National Poetry Month in April, will conclude with a public poetry reading and awards ceremony.
For more information, visit the NewMilfordNow.org story about the contest.
New Milford Poetry Contest - 2025
Two stranger become friends by collaborating on a work of art.
See the visual and videos online
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
Stranger Show
"The Big Win" Community Breakfast!
Eggs | Pancakes | Bacon | Sausage | Juice | Endless Coffee
Adults $8
Seniors $6
Children under 8, $5
Cash or check accepted
KVFD Community Breakfast
Winsted Restaurant Week is your opportunity to try as many restaurants as your schedule allows for one incredibly low fixed price. Ever wonder about that restaurant you’ve heard about or driven by all those times? Winsted Restaurant Week 2025 is your chance to give it a try at a reduced cost.
Winsted Restaurant Week
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.
The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, April 6. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.
Art Exhibition by Doug Bloom and Justin Perlman
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.
The Art of Joy Brown
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!
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
Art in Bloom: Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station Spring Show
Litchfield’s three newest restaurants, La Catrina in Bantam, the Lost Fox Inn, and The Courtroom restaurant at The Abner Hotel are all participating, and Arethusa a mano, the coffee/breakfast/lunch/dessert spot in the Arethusa Farm family, is joining restaurant week for the first time.
That brings the total of participating venues to 21, and they range from coffeehouses, bakeries, and diners to cafés and award-winning fine dining restaurants.
See the RW page for menus, links, and phone numbers.
Each of the 21 participating venues will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu at $25, $35 or $50, with some spots serving daytime special packages, others serving a special restaurant week lunch, and still others presenting both lunch and dinner menus.
Litchfield Distillery is also participating in Litchfield Restaurant Week, donating bottles of its award-winning spirits to restaurants that will create special Litchfield Restaurant Week cocktails.
VisitLitchfieldCT.com is the official source of news and updates about Litchfield Restaurant Week, which is sponsored by the Town of Litchfield’s Economic Development Commission, the Lost Fox Inn, and other area businesses.
The EDC encourages restaurant week guests to tag @VisitLitchfieldCT when posting on Facebook and Instagram, as well as tagging Instagram posts #litchfieldrestaurantweek.
Call ahead to book your reservations for lunch and dinner. You won’t want to miss out on these delicious three-course special menus!
Litchfield Restaurant Week
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!
BLT On The Green | Bagels Lox Tefillin
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.
Exhibitions: O’Keeffe In Conversation
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.
Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come
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.
Arthur Nager: Building Stories
Director’s Choice is a celebration of the talented artists who the gallery represents some who have been with me since the very beginning others for twenty or more years.
Thirty years ago, I never could have imagined that what began as a small idea would become a life’s work. I am proud to say that the gallery supports many artists in a multitude of ways allowing them to continue their important contributions and work. The rewards, the complexities and the sheer tenacity that being in this business for three decades requires are many; countless studio visits, writing hundreds of press releases and letters of recommendation, juggling finances in a fluctuating marketplace, managing personalities of artists, collectors and art advisors (OY!), marketing, sales, parties, dinners, long installation days, endless loading and unloading my SUV, gallons of white paint only eclipsed by the gallons of white wine and so much more. It has been a journey worth celebrating.
The Director’s Choice exhibition is installed in both beautiful buildings in Kent, CT and includes almost every artist in the program. Artists who have forthcoming exhibitions or were recently featured in exhibitions are not included in Director's Choice but are valued members of the team and we thank them. It has been my honor to exhibit their work and support their careers.
A special thanks goes out to the many employees and interns who have contributed to the gallery. My sincere and deep gratitude goes to Associate Director Lani Holloway who celebrated her 10-year anniversary at the gallery in 2024.
Artists: Daniel Anselmi, Jackie Battenfield, Gabe Brown, Cecile Chong, David Collins, Susan English, Gregory Hennen, Mary Judge, Andrea Kantrowitz, David Konigsberg, Margaret Lanzetta, Joanne Mattera, Laura Moriarty, Margaret Neill, Melanie Parke, Donna Sharrett, Eve Stockton, Josette Urso, Eleanor White, Tricia Wright
Please contact Lani Ming Holloway, Associate Director, Lani@kbfa.com, 860 560 3085 with inquires or to arrange a preview of the exhibition.
Director's Choice (celebrating 30 years)
Join us as we welcome Shannon Blanton to our newest gallery show.
From New Milford, CT as an established artist with a focus on natural flora and fauna. Her oil and watercolor works are multimedia using nature as her pallet.
Recently voted one of the top visual artists in Litchfield Magazine
Her paintings can be viewed for the month of March.
View her paintings here: https://www.studioshannonblanton.com/
Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT.
Call with any questions (860) 354-4318.
Gallery Show featuring Shannon Blanton
In Dialogue: The Figure in Painting, Drawing and Sculpture.
New work by Karen Bonanno at a mano gallery
Exhibition Dates: February 28th through March 28th
Opening Reception: Friday, February 28th from 6-8pm
In Dialogue: The Figure in Painting, Drawing and Sculpture by Karen Bonanno
Museum still features ‘Jewish Experience’ exhibit
The New Milford Historical Society & Museum will host its temporary exhibit titled “The Jewish Experience in New Milford” through April 25.
This exhibit is part of an ongoing series to explore the historical experience of various ethnic groups in New Milford, which already features exhibits on Black Americans and indigenous peoples.
For an appointment or for more information, or for those with research needs, call the museum at 860-354-3069 or email nmhistorical@gmail.com.
Jewish exhibit at New Milford Historical Society
Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure — this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all — with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child High School Edition is a special adaptation of the beloved worldwide hit. Tailored for high school theatre productions, it provides young actors the opportunity to play Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all of their favorite characters on their very own stage and bring the wizarding world to life for their communities. Waterbury Arts Magnet School Theatre Department conjure the magic of live entertainment, making it a truly exciting and engaging experience for students and audiences alike.
WAMS Theatre presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Burlington Historical Society invites you to attend our next program offered by the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History titled "True Crime - Murder and Mayhem in the Museum".
Forgeries, theft, murder: our museum is full of artifacts that tell stories of long-ago crime and punishment. This presentation uncovers stories from Connecticut’s past – and shows how our modern obsession with the true crime genre isn’t so modern after all.
This is a FREE event.
Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/zrCzgSCYwcdvKYvU7
Burlington Historical Society Program - True Crime
Set in New York City's East Village during the late 1980s, "Rent" follows a group of struggling young artists confronting the harsh realities of poverty, addiction, and the AIDS crisis while pursuing their dreams of creative expression and meaningful connection. The musical centers on friends Mark, a filmmaker, and Roger, a musician, along with their diverse group of bohemian friends, including Collins, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, and Mimi, as they navigate love, loss, and survival in the face of economic hardship and the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. Based loosely on Puccini's opera "La Bohème" and written by Jonathan Larson, "Rent" is a powerful rock musical that celebrates life, love, and the resilient human spirit.
March 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 at 8:00 pm
March 16, 23, 30 at 2:00 pm
Admission $26 (not including fees)
Box Office 860-283-6250
www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org
Rent the Musical
Dive into the exciting world of pour painting in this interactive workshop designed for artists of all levels! Using fluid acrylics, you’ll explore two mesmerizing techniques:
🎨 Bottle Pour – Learn how to create dynamic patterns and flowing color blends by layering and pouring paint over a bottle end.
🌊 Dutch Pour – Master this technique using airflow (such as a hairdryer or blowing) to create stunning, organic compositions with soft, feathered edges.
In addition to these techniques, we’ll also discuss embellishing pours, adding details and enhancements to elevate your artwork. Whether you’re aiming for bold, abstract expressions or delicate, ethereal effects, this workshop will provide the guidance and inspiration you need.
Each participant will receive two canvases to experiment with and take home their own unique creations. No prior painting experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and a willingness to explore!
🔹 All materials provided
🔹 Limited spots available—sign up today!
Pour Painting Workshop with Christy Bonaiuto
The New Milford Historical Society & Museum Presents a Book Talk & Signing,
Comanche and His Captain The Warhorse and The Soldier of Fortune
By Janet Barrett.
A tale of bravery, partnership, survival, and healing.
March 23, 2025
2:00 PM
$5.00 admission
FREE for museum members
At the museum on 6 Aspetuck Avenue.
New Milford Historical Society Book Talk and Signing
‘Comanche’ author to sign books at museum
The New Milford Historical Society & Museum will host a March 23 talk and book-signing by Janet Barrett, author of ‘Comanche and His Captain, the Warhorse and The Soldier of Fortune.’
The 2 p.m. program, to be held at the museum’s 6 Aspetuck Avenue home, will be offered free of charge to members and with a $5 donation to non-members.
For more information about the museum, visit nmhistorical.org, call the museum at 860-354-3069 or email nmhistorical@gmail.com.
'Comanche book-signing
Don’t miss our Spring concert for 2025, featuring a newly commissioned setting from composer Jonathan Woody of this uplifting poem by James Weldon Johnson.
The program also includes Stephen Paulus’ setting of “The Road Home” by the American poet Michael Dennis Browne, which was performed in January at the funeral service for President Jimmy Carter.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
St. Andrew’s Church in Kent, CT at 3:00 PM
Tickets available here: tickets
The commission project is supported in part by an Alfred Nash Patterson Grant from Choral Arts New England.
Spring Concert 2025 – The Gift to Sing
A benefit performance to raise money for The Village Music School Foundation, a 501(c)(3), public charity so that they may continue to provide music lessons to families in Litchfield County.
Bach and Bourbon
Join us for a discussion of muscle health and fitness as we age, with a particular focus on menopause and osteoporosis.
Sarah Wallace has taught fitness and health for over three decades on three continents. Sarah holds a Masters in Public Health and is a certified yoga teacher and teacher trainer. She is also certified in Yoga for Osteoporosis.
Women & Aging: Muscle Matters and Menopause with Sarah Wallace of Amenia Yoga
Shopping for cheese can be intimidating! From price disparity to over-the-top food trends, we’ve managed to overcomplicate one of the oldest, simplest and most nutritious foods. Join Cheesemonger Kate Truini-Redin of New Curds on the Block cheese shop for a taste of Connecticut’s dairy history, and learn what to look for and what questions to ask when visiting a cheese counter.
New Curds on the Block is an all- American cheese shop in Oakville, CT that carries exclusively cheeses made in the Northeast. Cheesemonger owner Kate Truini-Redin works directly with cheesemakers and farmers to source fresh and seasonal products to serve to you at peak deliciousness.
$5 suggested donation to KML.
Meet your Monger: Cheese Tasting
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!
Hot Cocoa Meet & Greet
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE TIMELESS ROMANCE OF THE ICONIC FILM
Join us for DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic.
Directly following the film, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs. Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most memorable movies of the past 35 years – now live!
Dirty Dancing In Concert
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
20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers Event- Call For Submissions
Strangers become friends through art making
Global artists have been randomly paired and tasked to create an artwork together.
See the results and watch the video of their relationships,
You can also check out the earlier Stranger Show of two years ago. https://personaland.com/hut/exhibition/strangers
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
The Stranger Show 2
Mail us your Postcard Art
A throwback to the 20th Century Mail Art movement, we're inviting artists from around the world to send us your art on a postcard.
One side: Your art, the other side, we need your name, email address, title of work, any artist statement addressed to:
Personaland PO Box 219 Harwinton, CT 06791
Just the cost of postage. Deadline for cards - May 5
We plan to exhibit the postcards at global art locations
Going Postal 2
Residents of New Milford only are encouraged to tap into their creative side in the coming weeks. The second annual New Milford Poetry Contest has returned, with submissions being accepted now through April 25. The Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts and New Milford Public Library are co-sponsors of the New Milford Poetry Contest. The contest is open to New Milford residents in four age categories: youth 8-12; young adult 13-18; adult 19-55; and senior 56+.
The literary arts offering, which celebrates National Poetry Month in April, will conclude with a public poetry reading and awards ceremony.
For more information, visit the NewMilfordNow.org story about the contest.
New Milford Poetry Contest - 2025
Two stranger become friends by collaborating on a work of art.
See the visual and videos online
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 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 67 countries in 31 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles. https://www.personaland.com
Stranger Show
Winsted Restaurant Week is your opportunity to try as many restaurants as your schedule allows for one incredibly low fixed price. Ever wonder about that restaurant you’ve heard about or driven by all those times? Winsted Restaurant Week 2025 is your chance to give it a try at a reduced cost.
Winsted Restaurant Week
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.
The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, April 6. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.
Art Exhibition by Doug Bloom and Justin Perlman
Sifted showcases Sarah Short’s masterful use of vintage materials in mixed-media collage. With a deep appreciation for the aged beauty of old book covers, forgotten ephemera, and letterpress typography, Short repurposes discarded materials into captivating compositions. Her work invites viewers to look closer, engaging with the layered textures and fragmented narratives that emerge from the remnants of the past.
“I want what was once beautiful to be beautiful again,” says Short. “My works urge you to lean in, see the small details, and remember your past.”
About the Artist
Sarah Z. Short is a mixed-media collage artist from the woods of Rhode Island. With a background as an English teacher, she has a deep connection to books—not just as literature, but as a tactile and visual medium. She prints with vintage wooden type on pages salvaged from discarded books, then transforms these prints into abstract collages, emphasizing shape, white space, and layered textures.
Her work has been exhibited in galleries, licensed as prints, and featured in both print and digital publications. In addition to her studio practice, Short teaches workshops online and in person, sharing her passion for collage and letterpress printing with others.
Sifted – Sarah Short
Artist/author and college professor Steven Parlato brings his collage series, “They Are Not Disposable” to the Woodbury Public Library. The series, which depicts sixteen Black Americans whose lives were stolen due to racial violence is part tribute and part call to action.
The Middlebury artist's work has graced theater posters and book covers, and he’s exhibited throughout CT and in NJ, PA, and OH. An award-winning poet and college professor, Parlato is the author of two young adult novels, The Namesake (winner of the 2011 Tassy Walden Award for New Voices in YA Fiction) and The Precious Dreadful. Both explore grief, loss, and hope. On stage, he’s played roles ranging from the Scarecrow to Macbeth. Parlato offers writing workshops at libraries throughout CT. Follow him on FB at Steven Parlato Author and IG: @stevenparlato.
Art for Change: They Are Not Disposable Collage by Steven Parlato
Tikes will have a great time playing with friends in a safe environment designed to promote social, physical, intellectual and creative growth. During this 2 hour class, the children will sing, paint, listen to stories and have gym time, all while learning to respect and share with others, as well as follow directions.
Requirements:
All "Tikes" MUST be potty trained
Please Bring: A peanut free snack and drink
Please Wear: Sneakers and clothes you don't mind getting paint on
Coordinator:
Michele Gasiewski
For Tikes Only with Ms. Michele
Something GIANT is coming to the Gunn Memorial Library! The Junior Library invites all members of our community to join us for Story Mode, a creative storytelling adventure leading up to the start of Summer Reading in June!
In collaboration with the GIANT Room, a New York City-based innovation hub for kids, the Junior Library will provide four Remix activities Stations. These stations will allow you, your friends, and your family to draw and invent unique characters, settings, and plot twists and see them transformed into published trading cards, games, and comic strips.
Every Remix Station is a self-directed activity, so you can complete it on your own time with or without the help of a librarian. The Junior Library also offers “Creation Hours” every week, during which you can use supplies from the Makerspace to bring your vision to life. Be sure to check the library’s website for the complete schedule!
Each month focuses on a different part of your story:
- March 8-29, dream up your character. Complete a character sheet with a drawing of an avatar and its traits, including powers, power rating, voice, favorites, items, weaknesses, strengths, birthday, habitat, physical features, awards, and more. The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card for you!
- April 5-26, build your own city and create a place for the story to happen. Engineer a building and decide its materials and unique features. The GIANT Room will remix this creation into another printed trading card featuring their building sketch, an AI-generated 3D render of it and its features.
- May 3-24, create challenges for your character. Help create a deck of “Would You Rather” questions by submitting a question that help you reflect on your emotions, make you smile with a rhyme, spark a debate, or give you the giggles! The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card.
- June 7-28, tell a story about your character. Write and illustrate a comic strip using a pre-made template, and the GIANT Room will remix it into a printed poster.
- Saturday, June 21, from 10-12 pm kick off summer reading and level up your character’s story as you visit several activity stations at this community event with the GIANT Room.
This is a great opportunity to express your creativity, collaborate with your community, and see your ideas come to life!
This program was made possible by the Connecticut State Library.
Story Mode with The Giant Room
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.
The Art of Joy Brown
Litchfield’s three newest restaurants, La Catrina in Bantam, the Lost Fox Inn, and The Courtroom restaurant at The Abner Hotel are all participating, and Arethusa a mano, the coffee/breakfast/lunch/dessert spot in the Arethusa Farm family, is joining restaurant week for the first time.
That brings the total of participating venues to 21, and they range from coffeehouses, bakeries, and diners to cafés and award-winning fine dining restaurants.
See the RW page for menus, links, and phone numbers.
Each of the 21 participating venues will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu at $25, $35 or $50, with some spots serving daytime special packages, others serving a special restaurant week lunch, and still others presenting both lunch and dinner menus.
Litchfield Distillery is also participating in Litchfield Restaurant Week, donating bottles of its award-winning spirits to restaurants that will create special Litchfield Restaurant Week cocktails.
VisitLitchfieldCT.com is the official source of news and updates about Litchfield Restaurant Week, which is sponsored by the Town of Litchfield’s Economic Development Commission, the Lost Fox Inn, and other area businesses.
The EDC encourages restaurant week guests to tag @VisitLitchfieldCT when posting on Facebook and Instagram, as well as tagging Instagram posts #litchfieldrestaurantweek.
Call ahead to book your reservations for lunch and dinner. You won’t want to miss out on these delicious three-course special menus!
Litchfield Restaurant Week
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/
Toddler Fun Time
Tikes will have a great time playing with friends in a safe environment designed to promote social, physical, intellectual and creative growth. During this 2 hour class, the children will sing, paint, listen to stories and have gym time, all while learning to respect and share with others, as well as follow directions.
Requirements:
All "Tikes" MUST be potty trained
Please Bring: A peanut free snack and drink
Please Wear: Sneakers and clothes you don't mind getting paint on
Coordinator:
Michele Gasiewski
For Tikes Only with Ms. Michele
Museum still features ‘Jewish Experience’ exhibit
The New Milford Historical Society & Museum will host its temporary exhibit titled “The Jewish Experience in New Milford” through April 25.
This exhibit is part of an ongoing series to explore the historical experience of various ethnic groups in New Milford, which already features exhibits on Black Americans and indigenous peoples.
For an appointment or for more information, or for those with research needs, call the museum at 860-354-3069 or email nmhistorical@gmail.com.
Jewish exhibit at New Milford Historical Society
Learn to play Cribbage and/or compete against other players in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere of casual play!
Cribbage at the Library!
Join us in the Junior Room for this special Storytime in Spanish. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Registration is appreciated, please call or email (kmljuniorroom@biblio.org) the Junior Room to register, or register online.
Spanish Storytime with Yaznic Mateos
Write Away will appeal to you if you have tales, yarns, neighborhood histories, family legends, or any kind of story you’ve been wanting to investigate. You do not need any experience in making art or writing, just a story to share!
• We start by creating visual maps that show the elements of the stories.
• These end up revealing character and setting details, and allow us to see more connections between events and people.
• Our maps also show us the way to themes to explore and develop when the writing begins.
Deirdre Fischer is an Academic Coach and Writing Coach; Writer of Historical Fiction; other genres; Literacy Advocate; and magma cum laude graduate from New York University.
Write Away! Story Mapping and Writing Experience
We've got a new group starting up! Make & Mingle Mondays is a hobby group for people of all ages to join together twice a month to share their current hobbies and crafts. No need to register beforehand, drop ins welcome!
All hobbies are welcome to participate
5:30-7:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month (except holidays)
Torrington Armory Kitchen
Make & Mingle Mondays
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!
Hot Cocoa Meet & Greet
The Gunn Museum is excited to announce a special Zoom lecture on "Washington's Arthur Woodruff and the Creation of Glee Clubs and Community Choruses in the Gilded Age” on Monday March 24 at 6:30pm.
In this virtual lecture John Ong, past president of the University Glee Club of New York City will discuss the importance of Dr. Woodruff and his role in early community choruses and the glee club movement.
Dr. Woodruff was born in 1853 in Washington, CT. He was the conductor of the University Glee Club of New York City for thirty years, ending his tenure in the1920s. He would go on to lead the Washington Choral Club. The museum is fortunate to have Dr. Woodruff’s papers in its collection.
