Community Calendar

Five Points Arts, one of Connecticut’s largest and most respected arts nonprofits, is accepting submissions for its 2024 Small Works Juried Exhibition. Open to all artists 18 years or older working in any style or medium. All accepted works will be exhibited at Five Points Gallery and on the Five Points website. The one award will be a 2025 solo exhibition in Five Points Gallery.

Call Dates: August 18 – October 6, 2024

Exhibition Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 4, 2025

https://fivepointsarts.org/2024/08/14/call-for-art-2024-small-works-juried-exhibition/

A walk in the Great Mountain Forest with Noah Charney and Mike Zarfos.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Theresa Bates. The exhibit, “Conversations with Color,” will be on view beginning Friday, October 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, October 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

The show highlights the artist’s intuitive, colorful, expressive paintings full of emotion and movement. 

“As a painter, color is like another language to me. It is a way of communicating. My pallets are true indications of what I am trying to express,” Bates explains. “The compositions are simple so the colors can react. I find less is more in any good conversation. It's the constant play of speaking and listening.”

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, October 20. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

Join us at the historic Whiting Mills in Winsted, CT on Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th, 2024 from 10am to 4pm for the 2nd annual "Halloween Spooktacular" event.

Immerse yourself in the world of vintage Dracula themed Halloween as we bring together oddities, talented artists specializing in all things spooky, contests, and a delicious food truck. 

Scarecrow Contest : Cast your vote by dropping your ticket into the box next to your favorite resident artist scarecrow.

Costume Contest: Snap a photo at our spooky backdrop, post it to Facebook or Instagram, follow us at @SpooktacularAtThe Mill, and tag #WhitingMills to enter!

Both contests go through the weekend. 

Family activities include:

Kids can take part in a scavenger hunt on Sunday.

Discover a bewitching array of vintage treasures and modern creations, from resident and guest vendors, that celebrate the spirit of Halloween past and present. This spine-tingling event is a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages. Don't miss out on the "Halloween Spooktacular" at Whiting Mills. 

An enchanting experience that will leave you SPELLBOUND.

Free parking and Free admission.

NEW ART SHOW! Falling for Art

Friday, August 30 with opening reception on September 7, 4pm to 6pm with light refreshments and wine. All are welcome to attend!

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 hours are Friday & Saturday 12-6 and Sunday 10-4

Gallery 25 invites you to its “Falling For Art” show featuring our 23 members.

With the coming of the beautiful Fall season, we are delighted to announce our Falling for Art Show! Enjoy our member artists’ best work in a wide variety of mediums including paintings, glass art, collages, assemblages, mixed media, photography, wood work, wearable art jewelry and more not-to-be-missed works.

In addition to the diverse range of art on display, Gallery 25 is excited to welcome a new artist to its gallery. Betsy Duckworth, an environmental sculptor who creates using found natural objects, will be showcasing her unique and captivating work and Jim Stasiak an award-winning photographic artist, musician and printing arts professional. His photography spans documentary, creative, travel and constructed imaging.

The public is also invited to attend one of Gallery 25’s exciting artist workshops:

• Adele Moros will be giving one of her popular Acrylic Demonstrations on Saturday September 28th from 1 to 3pm.

• Christy Bonaiuto will be holding a “Glow Glam Pour Painting” class on October 13th from 11am to Noon. Registration will be online shortly!

New Milford is an exciting destination, offering many enjoyable activities, among them well-reviewed restaurants, pubs and unique shops, as well as an Art Deco movie theater, an innovative playhouse, Theaterworks, and a historical New England green. Plan a fun weekend in our fine town! G25 wishes to thank the town of New Milford and the New Milford Commission on the Arts for their continued generous support.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for upcoming classes and events!

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "Cover Stories & Cityscapes," an exhibition by Susan Lerner on display from September 28th through November 23rd, 2024. This exhibition showcases a captivating collection of hand-cut collages that blend vintage narratives with contemporary artistry.

"Cover Stories & Cityscapes” weaves together two series of hand cut collages, each rooted in the exploration of materials and the stories they hold. "Cover Stories" transforms forgotten vintage books into striking three-dimensional vignettes by deconstructing their volumes and enriching them with vintage illustrations and found photographs, evoking nostalgia and transporting viewers to another time and place. Inspired by a serendipitous flea market find of early 1900s NYC postcards, “Cityscapes" blends these historical fragments with hand-cut maps and vintage imagery. Each collage is named after places or vernacular associated with New York City.

Susan is a New York City and Washington, CT based contemporary hand-cut collage artist. In her prior profession as a Certified Flavor Chemist, Susan ‘collaged’ chemicals into unique flavors, but now she uses paper as her medium. She loves the collage process, finding joy in the hunt for imagery, meditation in cutting paper and delight in creating nostalgic compositions. Since 2017, she has shown her work in six solo shows in New York City and Northwest Connecticut and over 35 group shows including Norway, Germany and Paris. Her work has been published in numerous periodicals including “Collage Care Transforming Emotions and Life Experiences with Collage” by Laurie Kanyer and its companion book, “Collage Care, the Method”. She is the co-founder of the New York Collage Ensemble which promotes a supportive community of like-minded analog collage artists in NYC.

Join us for a unique workshop based on emulating the ancient Japanese practice of Kintsugi led by Art Therapist Tara DeLuca. This unique workshop is based on the ancient Japanese practice of Kintsugi (repairing broken pottery).

During the workshop, you will connect with your bowl, break it, confront the damage, and take ownership of the pieces that remain by gluing them back together.

The bowl will be changed forever, just as each person is through their personal experiences.

• What was once broken does not always stay that way
• Broken, repaired, and new
• Calming, shared experience, self-care
• The concept expresses how the passage of time can further increase the beauty in the imperfect.

“Instead of masking the flaws, a Japanese way of seeing things is that by highlighting the cracks, the piece becomes stronger, more beautiful, and easier to use.”

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. If a bowl is broken, rather than discarding the pieces, the fragments are put back and the cracks are adorned with gold. There are no attempts to hide the damage, instead, it is highlighted. The practice has come to represent the idea that beauty can be found in imperfection. The breakage is an opportunity to create something new, and stronger. Applying this kind of thinking to instances of challenge or “failure” in our own lives can be helpful in our own rebuild.

The path of the labyrinth is like the path of life - twisting and turning, experiencing feelings of being lost and of arrival, navigating the path alone but present with others. Walking the labyrinth is an opportunity to take a break from one’s busy world, to move your body in silence, to reflect on your life in its pure essence as it interacts with the earth. There are no right ways to walk a labyrinth - each individual makes their own way.

Our classical 7-circuit labyrinth is open for guests in daylight hours.

David Chaffetz, author of Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires

In conversation with Sarah Maslin Nir, author of Horse Crazy: The Story of a Woman in Love with an Animal

Treat your family to delicious pies from Bill's Mobile Brick Oven Pizza at Angevine Farm. Bring a blanket, and enjoy the sights around the farm, including the pumpkin patch and Harvest Barn.

Oct. 5-6

Throughout New Milford’s history the Housatonic River and its waterfront have played a key role in residents’ lives. Revitalizing the riverfront is the ambitious goal of a long-term plan to enhance our quality of life and the town’s economic vitality.

RiverFest, organized by the town’s Riverfront Revitalization Committee and the Mayor's office, highlights our riverfront area and its connections to Downtown. 

RiverFest is a celebration of community and a time to gather with friends and family. 

Admission is free. Attractions include:

• Live music and entertainment
• Food trucks and local food vendors
• 5K RIVER RUN
• NATURE WALKS
• Beer and Wine Garden
• Kids' Superhero Sprint
• Beer and wine garden
• Arts and crafts vendors
• Environmental education
• Children’s activities

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.

August 25, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Federico Uribe pairs form and unexpected materials to create imaginative and captivating sculptural assemblages. Highlighting his treatment of animals and the landscapes they inhabit, Federico Uribe: Menagerie offers a playful yet substantive perspective on the natural world. With a wry sense of humor, objects like Bambi made from bullets and Screwed Panda invite questions about the extractive relationship humans have established with animals and the land we all call home.

September 1, 2024 – November 9, 2024

Mary Janacek, this year’s winner of the annual MIXMASTER competition, documents the changing world around her through layers of burned, torn, and painted paper. Mary Janacek: Torn & Transformed showcases her evocative artwork that captures specific environmental and cultural moments. From nights during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to days when wildfire smoke blotted out the sun, visitors are invited to recall the emotions of each dynamic scene and immerse themselves in Janacek’s riveting work.

History Gallery

June 23, 2024 – January 19, 2025

Ted Williams: The Splendid Splinter in Waterbury explores the remarkable life and impact of Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Presented through the Frederic "Flyhawk" Koch collection of Williams' art and memorabilia, generously donated in honor of his father, the exhibition encapsulates the legendary player's career and enduring legacy.

September 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025

For the first time, Poskas: Father and Son brings together the artwork of Waterbury natives Peter Poskas II and his son Peter Poskas III. Poskas II is known for painting realist views of Connecticut cities and landscapes, exploring conditions of weather and light on his subjects. Dedicated to realist still lifes before a life-altering accident, Poskas III has recently turned his attention to impressionistic views of the land, animals, and buildings surrounding his Washington, CT farm. A wide-ranging retrospective of late-career Poskas II, and mid-career Poskas III, this exhibition not only speaks to the body of work of both artists, but also tracks how their relationship has changed, grown, and deepened over time through the lens of their artwork.

Monteiro Community Gallery

September 8, 2024 – November 6, 2024

Free to Be, celebrating artists on the autism spectrum, will include work by artists as young as 8 years old. Included with admission.

Museum Hours: Mondays through Saturdays 11-5 PM, Sundays 11-4 PM. Museum will be closed on Mondays beginning in October.

Suzan Scott. Artist Observer. Landscape Paintings. Abstractions and Atmospherics

Art is a State of Mind

August 3. - October 29.

Open Th-Su 11-5

more info at www.souterraingallery.net

Join us for the seasonal opening of Spring Hill Vineyards! Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the start of a new chapter with us at Spring Hill Vineyards. Cheers to spring! 🍇🌷🍷

Located at 69 Main St, next to KidsPlay.

Prepare to haunt the night in style! Enjoy spooktacular deals on all costume rentals, starting at just $50. Whether you’re a middle schooler or an adult, we have a fantastic selection of costumes to make you the talk of the town this year. Transform into a witch, ghoul, fairy, wizard, and more—our collection has something for everyone!

The costume shop is only accessible by stairs. Not all costume pieces available for rental. 

The JCC in Sherman welcomes author Julie Canepa for our Sunday Speaker Series event on Sunday October 6th at 1pm.

Join us for an in-depth discussion about her novel THE MISSING STAR, based on the lives of Vladimir and Kitty Monk.

Julie Canepa is the co-author of the Regional Emmy® Award winning documentary Return to Auschwitz: The Survival of Vladimir Munk. The documentary was filmed in 2020 when Julie accompanied Czech Holocaust survivor Vladimir Munk to the 75 th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland.

The novel, The Missing Star, is based on the life of Vladimir Munk and Kitty Löwi. The book chronicles Vladimir and Kitty’s lives as children growing up under German occupation, and their deportation to the Terezin ghetto, where they met and fell in love. When Vladimir is sent to Auschwitz, and Kitty remains behind in Terezin, they promise to meet after the war in a less complicated world.

Sunday Speaker Series events are Free. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Please click on the ticket link to RSVP for this event. You will not be charged.

Create a Stunning Cobblestone Glazed Pumpkin or Ceramic!

Learn the fun and easy Cobblestone Glaze Technique to add a beautiful crackled texture to your pumpkin or ceramic piece of choice. This unique glazing method transforms your creation into a work of art with a distinctive cobblestone finish.

No experience? No problem! Our expert instructor will guide you step-by-step, ensuring you leave with a cobblestone masterpiece—perfect for all skill levels!

Reserve Your Spot Today

A $20 registration fee holds your spot

Your registration fee will be applied toward the cost of your chosen ceramic pieces at the workshop.

Don't miss out on this creative and enjoyable experience!

Come see how the world could be.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today...and always.

HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

Once Upon A Horse* Sarah Maslin Nir talks to young readers about her series, Once Upon A Horse and the new novel in the series, The Star Horse This event will be held at the Norfolk Hub

Fifteen-year-old Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human show, Heidi resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Over the course of this solo show, directed by Beth Bonnabeau and starring Alicia Dempster, Schreck addresses themes such as women's rights, immigration, domestic abuse, and the history of the United States. Winner of New York Drama Critics' Circle and Obie Awards as the Best American Play of 2019, it was also nominated for a Tony and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Between 1642 and 1693, at least 40 people in the colony of Connecticut were tried as witches, and at least 10 of them were hanged. Most of them were women.

Who were these women? How did they come to be accused of witchcraft? What was life like for them? Did they truly practice witchcraft? Who were their accusers, and why. How and why did the accusing of witches finally end…or has it?

Many records are lost or non-existent, but we can learn enough to begin to understand what life was like back then, and why witchcraft was such an all encompassing subject.  Travel back to the 17th century and hear what 5 women accused of witchcraft have to say. Actresses Debra Walsh and Virginia Wolf bring them to life, fully costumed, fully incensed, fully frightened.  Painstakingly researched, “ Goodwives and the Gallows: Tales from the Connecticut Witchcraft Panics” sheds light on the puritan society that condemned so-called witches to their death thirty years before the hysterics of Salem, MA

Robotics And Beyond is hosting a free 5-week Dungeons & Dragons campaign, thanks to generous funding by Union Savings Bank Foundation. Grades 7-12. Register at https://roboticsandbeyond.org/year-round-stem-programs/.

Our favorite guitar player is back - come on out and be impressed!

Please join us at the opening reception for the artist on Sunday, October 6, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., graciously hosted by the Library Associates.

Nina Ritson has been a prominent figure in Norfolk's art scene for many years. Having graduated with a degree in printmaking from University of Hartford, she went on to be a graphic designer at a newspaper and then for a real estate firm creating marketing materials. She worked as an animator for an educational software company before becoming a communications specialist for the State of Connecticut. Her true passion lies in etching and painting, utilizing local landscapes and architecture as her subjects. Her works are small but rich with details, and her mediums vary from watercolor to oil painting, and copper plates for etching. Nina has displayed her work at the Library before, and we are delighted to have her work back on our walls for the month of October.

Try something different on Sundays....

Join Ed Trueheart every Sunday from 6-7PM for an hour of fun with Salsa music and friends or make it a date night at Salt 2.0!

Lessons are free and Ed makes it a fun evening!

Happy hour specials run all day on Sundays - so come on down, have a few drinks and snacks and try some Lating dancing!

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Theresa Bates. The exhibit, “Conversations with Color,” will be on view beginning Friday, October 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, October 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

The show highlights the artist’s intuitive, colorful, expressive paintings full of emotion and movement. 

“As a painter, color is like another language to me. It is a way of communicating. My pallets are true indications of what I am trying to express,” Bates explains. “The compositions are simple so the colors can react. I find less is more in any good conversation. It's the constant play of speaking and listening.”

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, October 20. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

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

Residents $100

Non-residents $120

Sessions:

• Ages 3y- 4y 9:30am-11:30am
• Ages 4y-5y6m 12pm-2pm

The Way I See It: the Art of Christina Maschke will be on display in the Woodbury Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Christina Maschke is a fine artist based in New Milford, CT. She is recognized for her highly detailed colored pencil drawings of landscapes, wildlife, and commissioned pet portraits.

A self-taught artist, Christina refined her skills on her own through determination, and years of practice. 130 pieces of her work have been published in The Litchfield County Times.

In 2021 and 2023 she earned first place awards at The Great Hollow Juried Art Show in New Fairfield, CT.  Christina Maschke is currently an active member of the Sherman Art Association in Sherman CT.

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "Cover Stories & Cityscapes," an exhibition by Susan Lerner on display from September 28th through November 23rd, 2024. This exhibition showcases a captivating collection of hand-cut collages that blend vintage narratives with contemporary artistry.

"Cover Stories & Cityscapes” weaves together two series of hand cut collages, each rooted in the exploration of materials and the stories they hold. "Cover Stories" transforms forgotten vintage books into striking three-dimensional vignettes by deconstructing their volumes and enriching them with vintage illustrations and found photographs, evoking nostalgia and transporting viewers to another time and place. Inspired by a serendipitous flea market find of early 1900s NYC postcards, “Cityscapes" blends these historical fragments with hand-cut maps and vintage imagery. Each collage is named after places or vernacular associated with New York City.

Susan is a New York City and Washington, CT based contemporary hand-cut collage artist. In her prior profession as a Certified Flavor Chemist, Susan ‘collaged’ chemicals into unique flavors, but now she uses paper as her medium. She loves the collage process, finding joy in the hunt for imagery, meditation in cutting paper and delight in creating nostalgic compositions. Since 2017, she has shown her work in six solo shows in New York City and Northwest Connecticut and over 35 group shows including Norway, Germany and Paris. Her work has been published in numerous periodicals including “Collage Care Transforming Emotions and Life Experiences with Collage” by Laurie Kanyer and its companion book, “Collage Care, the Method”. She is the co-founder of the New York Collage Ensemble which promotes a supportive community of like-minded analog collage artists in NYC.

The path of the labyrinth is like the path of life - twisting and turning, experiencing feelings of being lost and of arrival, navigating the path alone but present with others. Walking the labyrinth is an opportunity to take a break from one’s busy world, to move your body in silence, to reflect on your life in its pure essence as it interacts with the earth. There are no right ways to walk a labyrinth - each individual makes their own way.

Our classical 7-circuit labyrinth is open for guests in daylight hours.

Carol Brightman Johnson is an artist based in Litchfield County, CT. Originally from Andover, MA, she grew up painting a variety of subjects, winning prizes and portrait commissions while still in high school. She graduated with honors from Boston University School of Fine Art and did additional studies with David Gray, Jeff Legg, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handel, David Lussier, Clayton Beck III, Patricia K. Fogle and Ralph Oberg. She usually paints with oils, but occasionally finds expression in pastel, ink or Conte crayon. Carol has participated in Plein Air events: Carmel, CA, San Luis Obispo, CA, Escalante, UT and Cheyenne, WY. Her painting "The Old Jensen Cabin" won the Grand Prize in "Plein Air WY", chosen by Southwest Art magazine. Her equine images have won top honors in national shows, been featured on magazine covers and toured with Paint America. She exhibited in numerous national, regional and local juried art shows. Carol got many honors, often for her animal-themed works. She has done magazine covers for "the Chronicle of the Horse" and "Horse World USA" as well as illustrations for the weekly "Litchfield County Times".

Carol has done solo shows at The Good Gallery, Minor Memorial Library, Stairwell Gallery at Gunn Library, The Smithy and Marty's Cafe and is affiliated with various local and national art organizations. Carol accepts commissions and gives private art instruction. Her work can be found in collections around the US and Canada.

Phil Stone, a Litchfield County native, attended the Philadelphia College of Art where he studied Design. Phil then went on to a career as an award-winning product designer for the Ethan Allen Corporation in Danbury, CT, where he worked for 38 years. Specializing in wood furniture, there are a number of design patents in his name. In retirement, Phil attended the New York Botanical Garden Illustration program, working in drawing, colored pencil, watercolor, oil painting and studying plant morphology. Phil will show mainly oil paintings, but also drawings (graphite), prisma color paintings (colored pencil) as well as abstract paintings and monotypes (one the many types of printing processes). Some of his pieces are very precisely defined and some more on the abstract side. Phil is always exploring many subjects with inspirations deriving from painting en plein air as well as in his studio. His works are in many private collections on both sides of the country. Locally he has shown his art at the Washington Art Association, the Woodbury Library, the Glebe House in Woodbury, as well as in previous shows at the Minor Memorial Library.

Live, on Zoom: Mondays from 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Join us for the full 7-weeks or drop in to explore your favorite plays. Each week, we will watch two lectures together and then engage in lively conversation afterwards. 

The conversation will be facilitated by OWL's Caroline Ugurlu.

There is no more important author in Western literature than William Shakespeare. And his plays are treasure troves of insight into our very humanity. William Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies introduces you to his plays and explains the achievement that makes him the leading playwright in Western civilization. During this course, Dartmouth College Professor Peter Saccio will provide the tools necessary to deepen your appreciation for Shakespeare’s world and artistry.

9/9: Overview exploring Shakespeare Then and Now, and the Nature of Shakespeare's Plays

9/16: Twelfth Night

9/23: The Taming of the Shrew

9/30: The Merchant of Venice

10/7: Richard III

10/21: Romeo and Juliet

10/28: Julius Caesar

Copies of Shakespeare's plays will be available to borrow at the library.

Dr. Peter Saccio is Leon D. Black Professor of Shakespearean Studies and Professor of English Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He also served as a visiting professor at Wesleyan University and at University College in London. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University. He is the author of Shakespeare’s English Kings, which has become a classic in its field, and is an accomplished actor and theatrical director.

Odyssey of the Mind: The peak of beyond the box thinkers.

Mondays: Non-competitive session.

Thursdays: Competitive session that will go to the state tournament at Bethel Middle School March 29, 2025.

Non-Competitive

Odyssey of the Mind is a beyond the box creative problem solving adventure. Participants will develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers that find original solutions to unique open-ended problems. 

In this class participants will begin to develop the fun and creative thinking skills that Odyssey of the Mind is built upon. For example: name things that break, if you had a million bars of soap, what would you do? And hands-on activities such as getting balls into containers of different sizes, building bridges between chairs, drawing a doodle and telling a story.

Competitive

Odyssey of the Mind 2024 Ready, set, Create! Looking to put your Odyssey of the mind out of the box thinking to the test? This class, teams will pick a long term problem from the OM 2024-25 program. Teams will design, build, and present their unique solution at the annual CT State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament at Bethel Middle School on Saturday, March 29th. This is a competition against other teams in the same problem and age division

If your child is interested in participating, there will be an open house on the first day, November 14 from 4:30-5pm to go over information and requirements, as well as give parents an opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Theresa Bates. The exhibit, “Conversations with Color,” will be on view beginning Friday, October 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, October 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

The show highlights the artist’s intuitive, colorful, expressive paintings full of emotion and movement. 

“As a painter, color is like another language to me. It is a way of communicating. My pallets are true indications of what I am trying to express,” Bates explains. “The compositions are simple so the colors can react. I find less is more in any good conversation. It's the constant play of speaking and listening.”

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, October 20. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

Children and parents learn to play, sing, create and laugh together while romping to music, exploring our indoor play land, and meeting new friends. This program helps children develop sensory awareness and build motor skills. If needed, siblings are welcome to attend, but for safety reasons, they are not permitted on any of the equipment.

Requirements:

Guardians must be present

Coordinator:

Michele Gasiewski

Residents $70

Non-residents $90

See flyer for ages and times of sessions.

The Way I See It: the Art of Christina Maschke will be on display in the Woodbury Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Christina Maschke is a fine artist based in New Milford, CT. She is recognized for her highly detailed colored pencil drawings of landscapes, wildlife, and commissioned pet portraits.

A self-taught artist, Christina refined her skills on her own through determination, and years of practice. 130 pieces of her work have been published in The Litchfield County Times.

In 2021 and 2023 she earned first place awards at The Great Hollow Juried Art Show in New Fairfield, CT.  Christina Maschke is currently an active member of the Sherman Art Association in Sherman CT.

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "Cover Stories & Cityscapes," an exhibition by Susan Lerner on display from September 28th through November 23rd, 2024. This exhibition showcases a captivating collection of hand-cut collages that blend vintage narratives with contemporary artistry.

"Cover Stories & Cityscapes” weaves together two series of hand cut collages, each rooted in the exploration of materials and the stories they hold. "Cover Stories" transforms forgotten vintage books into striking three-dimensional vignettes by deconstructing their volumes and enriching them with vintage illustrations and found photographs, evoking nostalgia and transporting viewers to another time and place. Inspired by a serendipitous flea market find of early 1900s NYC postcards, “Cityscapes" blends these historical fragments with hand-cut maps and vintage imagery. Each collage is named after places or vernacular associated with New York City.

Susan is a New York City and Washington, CT based contemporary hand-cut collage artist. In her prior profession as a Certified Flavor Chemist, Susan ‘collaged’ chemicals into unique flavors, but now she uses paper as her medium. She loves the collage process, finding joy in the hunt for imagery, meditation in cutting paper and delight in creating nostalgic compositions. Since 2017, she has shown her work in six solo shows in New York City and Northwest Connecticut and over 35 group shows including Norway, Germany and Paris. Her work has been published in numerous periodicals including “Collage Care Transforming Emotions and Life Experiences with Collage” by Laurie Kanyer and its companion book, “Collage Care, the Method”. She is the co-founder of the New York Collage Ensemble which promotes a supportive community of like-minded analog collage artists in NYC.

Monteiro Community Gallery

September 8, 2024 – November 6, 2024

Free to Be, celebrating artists on the autism spectrum, will include work by artists as young as 8 years old. Included with admission.

Museum Hours: Mondays through Saturdays 11-5 PM, Sundays 11-4 PM. Museum will be closed on Mondays beginning in October.

Senior Clay Hand-building

2 separate classes.

Class 1) Starting Tuesday, October 8th, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Class 2) Starting Wednesday, October 9th, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Both are 8 week sessions.

We can take up to 10 students in each class.

This is for Seniors 60+

Skillfully taught by Claire, you will learn the art of making various

creations, with step-by-step instructions.

Whether you have worked with clay before, or you want to try something new. All levels are welcome, this class is beginner friendly.

Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT.

Registration form and payment secure your spot.

Call with any questions (860) 354-4318.

www.villagecenterarts.org

The Morris Public Library offers Story and Music Time for participants ages 9 mo. - 5 y.o every Tuesday at 10 am. Please call to ask if a spot is available: 860-567-7440. Sing songs, read a story, do a craft!

All ages are welcome to the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village on Tuesdays at 10:30 am for story time. We'll read a variety of fun, engaging books, share a snack and make a craft.

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!

The path of the labyrinth is like the path of life - twisting and turning, experiencing feelings of being lost and of arrival, navigating the path alone but present with others. Walking the labyrinth is an opportunity to take a break from one’s busy world, to move your body in silence, to reflect on your life in its pure essence as it interacts with the earth. There are no right ways to walk a labyrinth - each individual makes their own way.

Our classical 7-circuit labyrinth is open for guests in daylight hours.

August 25, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Federico Uribe pairs form and unexpected materials to create imaginative and captivating sculptural assemblages. Highlighting his treatment of animals and the landscapes they inhabit, Federico Uribe: Menagerie offers a playful yet substantive perspective on the natural world. With a wry sense of humor, objects like Bambi made from bullets and Screwed Panda invite questions about the extractive relationship humans have established with animals and the land we all call home.

September 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025

For the first time, Poskas: Father and Son brings together the artwork of Waterbury natives Peter Poskas II and his son Peter Poskas III. Poskas II is known for painting realist views of Connecticut cities and landscapes, exploring conditions of weather and light on his subjects. Dedicated to realist still lifes before a life-altering accident, Poskas III has recently turned his attention to impressionistic views of the land, animals, and buildings surrounding his Washington, CT farm. A wide-ranging retrospective of late-career Poskas II, and mid-career Poskas III, this exhibition not only speaks to the body of work of both artists, but also tracks how their relationship has changed, grown, and deepened over time through the lens of their artwork.

September 1, 2024 – November 9, 2024

Mary Janacek, this year’s winner of the annual MIXMASTER competition, documents the changing world around her through layers of burned, torn, and painted paper. Mary Janacek: Torn & Transformed showcases her evocative artwork that captures specific environmental and cultural moments. From nights during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to days when wildfire smoke blotted out the sun, visitors are invited to recall the emotions of each dynamic scene and immerse themselves in Janacek’s riveting work.

You are invited to join the Monthly Critique sessions at Five Points Arts Center.

Bring in an original work for personal, constructive feedback and discussion with Founder and Executive Director, Judy McElhone.

All skill levels and mediums are welcome!

Free and open to the public

Click here for more info and RSVP

Join us for Spanish Play Group on Tuesdays from 2:00 – 2:45pm! Led by Jeny Gonzalez, kids will get the chance to dive into the Spanish language in a whole new way while playing and making friends.

This program is geared towards ages 2-5, but all are welcome!

Jeny Gonzalez has a Bachelors Degree in French and Teaching Foreign Languages, from the University of Colima. She taught French and English to children of all ages while completing her studies. Jeny came to Falls Village from Mexico to be an Au Pair.

Children will explore with paint, oil pastels, clay and other medium to create their own masterpieces. They will complete and take home a different art project each week!

Requirements:

Clothes that you don't mind getting paint on!

Coordinator:

Roberta Baker

Residents $80, Non-residents $100

Would you like to make a reusable “Advent Calendar” to count down the days before Christmas with your children or grandchildren?

This is a one time “intro workshop” to get people going with materials, instruction, and inspiration. The instructor will provide patterns, written instructions, and materials lists for “easy assembly” and for “advanced assembly”, depending on your skill and preference.

You will leave with a detailed “how to” to go out and make your own family heirloom!

Spooky Tree

Come build a 'Spooky Tree' for Halloween with gnarly hands and fingers, and glowing facial features. A hauntingly special table top decoration! 

Residents $20, Non-residents $40

For more information or to register, visit newmilfordct.myrec.com.

Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM - October 1 & 8

Best for ages 8 to 16 plus parents/grandparents and caregivers

 Registration Required for each session at OWL website

Spending quality time together doing fun activities makes parenting easier because it gives families joyful bonding experiences that solidify connections that are the basis for a healthy dynamic! Join us at OWL for two consecutive Tuesday family game nights. (Jenga, cards, charades and more!)

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Theresa Bates. The exhibit, “Conversations with Color,” will be on view beginning Friday, October 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, October 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

The show highlights the artist’s intuitive, colorful, expressive paintings full of emotion and movement. 

“As a painter, color is like another language to me. It is a way of communicating. My pallets are true indications of what I am trying to express,” Bates explains. “The compositions are simple so the colors can react. I find less is more in any good conversation. It's the constant play of speaking and listening.”

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, October 20. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

Children and parents learn to play, sing, create and laugh together while romping to music, exploring our indoor play land, and meeting new friends. This program helps children develop sensory awareness and build motor skills. If needed, siblings are welcome to attend, but for safety reasons, they are not permitted on any of the equipment.

Requirements:

Guardians must be present

Coordinator:

Michele Gasiewski

Residents $70

Non-residents $90

See flyer for ages and times of sessions.

The Way I See It: the Art of Christina Maschke will be on display in the Woodbury Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Christina Maschke is a fine artist based in New Milford, CT. She is recognized for her highly detailed colored pencil drawings of landscapes, wildlife, and commissioned pet portraits.

A self-taught artist, Christina refined her skills on her own through determination, and years of practice. 130 pieces of her work have been published in The Litchfield County Times.

In 2021 and 2023 she earned first place awards at The Great Hollow Juried Art Show in New Fairfield, CT.  Christina Maschke is currently an active member of the Sherman Art Association in Sherman CT.

Presented by Sharon Charde

Remember the day when you realized that you might be considered “old”– a reality that women realize with uneasiness and a kind of youthful yearning. This workshop is meant for women who are closer to the end of life than to the beginning. We will explore what it means to age and all that this entails using writing prompts as a tool. Come with a friend to vent, share, laugh and appreciate the wisdom of your advancing years!

Program limited to 10 women.

Presented by Erik Assadourian

 Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, has become quite popular and is well integrated into Japanese healthcare to help improve mental and physical wellbeing. Time in nature has been shown repeatedly to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve immune response, and much more. This class will introduce a series of nature connection and mindfulness exercises that you can take home with you and practice while spending time in nature. We'll focus on nature awareness and connection exercises, breath work, and some basic movements. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.

Lunch is included.

Carol Brightman Johnson is an artist based in Litchfield County, CT. Originally from Andover, MA, she grew up painting a variety of subjects, winning prizes and portrait commissions while still in high school. She graduated with honors from Boston University School of Fine Art and did additional studies with David Gray, Jeff Legg, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handel, David Lussier, Clayton Beck III, Patricia K. Fogle and Ralph Oberg. She usually paints with oils, but occasionally finds expression in pastel, ink or Conte crayon. Carol has participated in Plein Air events: Carmel, CA, San Luis Obispo, CA, Escalante, UT and Cheyenne, WY. Her painting "The Old Jensen Cabin" won the Grand Prize in "Plein Air WY", chosen by Southwest Art magazine. Her equine images have won top honors in national shows, been featured on magazine covers and toured with Paint America. She exhibited in numerous national, regional and local juried art shows. Carol got many honors, often for her animal-themed works. She has done magazine covers for "the Chronicle of the Horse" and "Horse World USA" as well as illustrations for the weekly "Litchfield County Times".

Carol has done solo shows at The Good Gallery, Minor Memorial Library, Stairwell Gallery at Gunn Library, The Smithy and Marty's Cafe and is affiliated with various local and national art organizations. Carol accepts commissions and gives private art instruction. Her work can be found in collections around the US and Canada.

Phil Stone, a Litchfield County native, attended the Philadelphia College of Art where he studied Design. Phil then went on to a career as an award-winning product designer for the Ethan Allen Corporation in Danbury, CT, where he worked for 38 years. Specializing in wood furniture, there are a number of design patents in his name. In retirement, Phil attended the New York Botanical Garden Illustration program, working in drawing, colored pencil, watercolor, oil painting and studying plant morphology. Phil will show mainly oil paintings, but also drawings (graphite), prisma color paintings (colored pencil) as well as abstract paintings and monotypes (one the many types of printing processes). Some of his pieces are very precisely defined and some more on the abstract side. Phil is always exploring many subjects with inspirations deriving from painting en plein air as well as in his studio. His works are in many private collections on both sides of the country. Locally he has shown his art at the Washington Art Association, the Woodbury Library, the Glebe House in Woodbury, as well as in previous shows at the Minor Memorial Library.

Monteiro Community Gallery

September 8, 2024 – November 6, 2024

Free to Be, celebrating artists on the autism spectrum, will include work by artists as young as 8 years old. Included with admission.

Museum Hours: Mondays through Saturdays 11-5 PM, Sundays 11-4 PM. Museum will be closed on Mondays beginning in October.

Join us on the lawn behind the visitor center for 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.

This event will be moved inside to the Junior Room in case of inclement weather.

Registration appreciated, drop-ins welcome!

October 2 - 30

Perfect for up to 36 months, but fun for everyone!

Lots of rhymes, a sprinkling of songs, and one or two shared board books round out this library program that is perfect for little ones who need to get those wiggles out. Stay to play! After the rhymes, stay for some unstructured play time with other kiddos.

September 1, 2024 – November 9, 2024

Mary Janacek, this year’s winner of the annual MIXMASTER competition, documents the changing world around her through layers of burned, torn, and painted paper. Mary Janacek: Torn & Transformed showcases her evocative artwork that captures specific environmental and cultural moments. From nights during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to days when wildfire smoke blotted out the sun, visitors are invited to recall the emotions of each dynamic scene and immerse themselves in Janacek’s riveting work.

August 25, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Federico Uribe pairs form and unexpected materials to create imaginative and captivating sculptural assemblages. Highlighting his treatment of animals and the landscapes they inhabit, Federico Uribe: Menagerie offers a playful yet substantive perspective on the natural world. With a wry sense of humor, objects like Bambi made from bullets and Screwed Panda invite questions about the extractive relationship humans have established with animals and the land we all call home.

September 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025

For the first time, Poskas: Father and Son brings together the artwork of Waterbury natives Peter Poskas II and his son Peter Poskas III. Poskas II is known for painting realist views of Connecticut cities and landscapes, exploring conditions of weather and light on his subjects. Dedicated to realist still lifes before a life-altering accident, Poskas III has recently turned his attention to impressionistic views of the land, animals, and buildings surrounding his Washington, CT farm. A wide-ranging retrospective of late-career Poskas II, and mid-career Poskas III, this exhibition not only speaks to the body of work of both artists, but also tracks how their relationship has changed, grown, and deepened over time through the lens of their artwork.

Are you a writer needing to carve out some creative time?

A non-writer who has always wanted to write?

An artist who wants to venture into a new medium?

This workshop is for you!

Once a week, for four weeks, we’ll pause from our personal and professional obligations to play with words, with a promise that we’ll repeat it as a habit. Each class, I’ll present an inspirational reading, image, or activity and we’ll discuss. We’ll let that prompt us to write for about 30 of uninterrupted time to see what bits of ourselves escape onto paper. Then we’ll reconvene and chat. We won’t critique each other’s work. Instead, we’ll offer encouragement and gratefulness for any bit of our voices and stories we’re willing to share.

No pressure, no judgment, and no homework. The practice of writing is just that—practice. Prompts lead to the discovery of ideas, emotions, characters, and other special bits. My hope is that you will find a comfortable, safe, and brave space that meets you where you are on your own unique journey as a writer.

Working in watercolor from still life and photos, this comprehensive workshop will explore various techniques to achieve the illusions of light and space. Examining the work of other watercolor artists will open the door to endless possibilities as you learn to create washes, utilize the dry-brush technique, and build layers. This workshop is open to all levels of experience.

Instructor: Terry Donsen Feder

Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2024 

2:30 - 5 pm

Ages: 15+

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Potion Bottles

Mix your potions and write your spells... we will create a place to put them!

Residents $20, Non-residents $40

For more information or to register, visit newmilfordct.myrec.com.

Learn all about bats. There will be fifteen minutes of talk, a fifteen minute slide show, then a t-shirt craft for the kids which will last twenty minutes. Please register your child in order for them to get a t-shirt! Most appropriate for ages 6+. Register @harwintonlibrary.org/events

"Opera" on our Theater Screen

FREE, Donations Welcome

* Pre-registration encouraged

Doors Open: 5:30

Join fellow opera lovers to view and discuss: Barber of Seville.

Running time is approx. 3 hours and there will be one short interval when coffee will be available.

5 Courses, 5 Wines Each Month!

$80 plus tax and gratuity

2nd Wednesday each month at 6:30PM

Click the link to learn about this month's wine dinner and to RSVP, Note :Wine Dinner" or call 860-567-4900 and leave a message.

RSVP required 2 days in advance!

The Mystery Book Club will meet at the Morris Public Library on Wednesday, October 9, at 6:30 PM, and will discuss "Coyote Waits" by Tony Hillerman.

The car fire didn't kill Navajo Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez—a bullet did. And the old man in possession of the murder weapon is a whiskey-soaked shaman named Ashie Pinto. Officer Jim Chee is devastated by the slaying of his good friend Del, and confounded by the prime suspect's refusal to utter a single word of confession or denial.

Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn believes there is much more to this outrage than what appears on the surface, as he and Jim Chee set out to unravel a complex weave of greed and death that involves a historical find and a lost fortune. But the hungry and mythical trickster Coyote is waiting, as always, in the shadows to add a strange and deadly new twist.

E-book and e-audio are available via Libby App.

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

Beginner Crocheting Class

- Come learn in a class designed just for you…a beginner!! You will learn the 6 basic crochet stitches, how to start a project and end a project, how to read a yarn label so you can buy yarn on your own after classes end, how to read a crochet pattern, and more!

- 6 weekly classes, 1.5 hours each

- All materials and supplies will be provided at the 1st class

- Requirements: None

Beginner Knitting Class

- Come learn in a class designed just for you…a beginner!! You will learn the basic stitches of knitting – the knit stitch and the purl stitch – as well as how to read a yarn label so you can buy yarn on your own after classes end, how to read a knitting pattern, and more!

- 6 weekly classes, 1.5 hours each

- All materials and supplies will be provided at the 1st class

- Requirements: None

Instructor: Andrea Dener

Instructor Bio: My name is Andrea Dener and I call myself The Yarn Farmer because I love knitting and crocheting fun items inspired by the farm and food...like carrot scarves, pumpkin hats, and chicken coasters!

I've been knitting and crocheting since I was 10 years old and love both crafts but LOVE TEACHING THEM EVEN MORE so I became certified to teach both by the Craft Yarn Council of America!

I look forward to bringing out the 'inner knitter' and 'inner crocheter' in you!

Residents $110.00

Non-residents $130.00

Join us for our monthly somewhat literary book discussion for adults! Books in various formats are typically available at the desk approximately one month prior to the discussion. No registration is required!

Refreshments served, courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Horse

By Geraldine Brooks

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history

Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.

New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance.

Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse--one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.

Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.

  Location: Community Room

Are you ready to be part of something truly beautiful and unifying?! Every week, synagogues around the world come together to study the same weekly Torah portion. Let's unite in our love for Torah and join this incredible global community.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect in spirit with the world and with friends from all over Northwest CT and deepen your understanding of our shared heritage.

Join us every Wednesday at 8:00 PM for an unforgettable journey into the teachings of the Torah. From the comfort of your own home, you'll discover how to love to the greatest of heights and live a life filled with purpose and meaning. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn and grow with us! Tune in via zoom at chabadnw.org/live or on facebook live at fb.com/chabadNW. See you there!

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Theresa Bates. The exhibit, “Conversations with Color,” will be on view beginning Friday, October 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, October 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

The show highlights the artist’s intuitive, colorful, expressive paintings full of emotion and movement. 

“As a painter, color is like another language to me. It is a way of communicating. My pallets are true indications of what I am trying to express,” Bates explains. “The compositions are simple so the colors can react. I find less is more in any good conversation. It's the constant play of speaking and listening.”

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, October 20. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

Color Me Creative is back!! 

Ages 2 1/2 - 5 years old

This very popular preschool arts and crafts program uses every imaginable medium to stir the creative impulse in your child. Parents and children will have fun finger painting, gluing and creating together! Each week your child will bring home several themed-based projects. Children should wear an old shirt or art smock. 

Parents, please bring a bag or box to transport projects home. 

Instructor: Michele Gasiewski

Residents $85

Non-residents $105

Ages 2y6m to 5y6m

Session 1 9:30am-10:15am

Session 2 10:30am-11:15am

The Way I See It: the Art of Christina Maschke will be on display in the Woodbury Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Christina Maschke is a fine artist based in New Milford, CT. She is recognized for her highly detailed colored pencil drawings of landscapes, wildlife, and commissioned pet portraits.

A self-taught artist, Christina refined her skills on her own through determination, and years of practice. 130 pieces of her work have been published in The Litchfield County Times.

In 2021 and 2023 she earned first place awards at The Great Hollow Juried Art Show in New Fairfield, CT.  Christina Maschke is currently an active member of the Sherman Art Association in Sherman CT.

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present "Cover Stories & Cityscapes," an exhibition by Susan Lerner on display from September 28th through November 23rd, 2024. This exhibition showcases a captivating collection of hand-cut collages that blend vintage narratives with contemporary artistry.

"Cover Stories & Cityscapes” weaves together two series of hand cut collages, each rooted in the exploration of materials and the stories they hold. "Cover Stories" transforms forgotten vintage books into striking three-dimensional vignettes by deconstructing their volumes and enriching them with vintage illustrations and found photographs, evoking nostalgia and transporting viewers to another time and place. Inspired by a serendipitous flea market find of early 1900s NYC postcards, “Cityscapes" blends these historical fragments with hand-cut maps and vintage imagery. Each collage is named after places or vernacular associated with New York City.

Susan is a New York City and Washington, CT based contemporary hand-cut collage artist. In her prior profession as a Certified Flavor Chemist, Susan ‘collaged’ chemicals into unique flavors, but now she uses paper as her medium. She loves the collage process, finding joy in the hunt for imagery, meditation in cutting paper and delight in creating nostalgic compositions. Since 2017, she has shown her work in six solo shows in New York City and Northwest Connecticut and over 35 group shows including Norway, Germany and Paris. Her work has been published in numerous periodicals including “Collage Care Transforming Emotions and Life Experiences with Collage” by Laurie Kanyer and its companion book, “Collage Care, the Method”. She is the co-founder of the New York Collage Ensemble which promotes a supportive community of like-minded analog collage artists in NYC.

Monteiro Community Gallery

September 8, 2024 – November 6, 2024

Free to Be, celebrating artists on the autism spectrum, will include work by artists as young as 8 years old. Included with admission.

Museum Hours: Mondays through Saturdays 11-5 PM, Sundays 11-4 PM. Museum will be closed on Mondays beginning in October.

Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 for new books, free play, and fun crafts!

Thursdays 10:30 t0 11:30 AM

October 3 - 31

Perfect for 3-5 year olds, but fun for everyone!

Join Mrs. Tricia for a classic library storytime--books, songs, bubbles, and more! Come for early literacy skills, social connections, and fun! We will have process-based art activities after each week’s stories and songs.

KMR Arts is proud to announce the opening of Diana Weymar: Everything I Touched, from August 24 through October 19, 2024. Please join us for an opening reception with the artist, Saturday, August 24, from 3-5 pm. This exhibit is Weymar's first exhibit at KMR Arts.

Diana Weymar is a renowned textile artist and pioneer in the growing world of "craftivism," a movement that combines art and activism to address social and political issues. Weymar grew up in the rugged wilderness of Northern British Columbia, where she learned early on the value of resourcefulness: "Everything we had and did was a creative act of survival." She later studied creative writing at Princeton University. 

Everything I Touched is a collection of compelling quotations meticulously stitched on found fabrics such as vintage handkerchiefs and cocktail napkins. The quotations, explore themes of love, identity, and resilience. The act of transforming stitching into art creates an almost subversive result, more powerful than reading the text on its own.

In this work, Weymar seeks out connections, rather than differences. The viewer pauses and processes not only what they are seeing, but how they are seeing it. These are objects that would not have any value and would have been discarded unless someone stopped to appreciate them.

As a “domestic art”, embroidery has historically been associated with women’s work, along with pottery, candle-making, weaving, and knitting, The “domestic arts” have also traditionally transcended class, race, and nationality. Just as quilting bees in the American South served both social and practical purposes, Diana Weymar’s work has gathered momentum with its “call and response” process, drawing individuals from wide-ranging backgrounds and geographical locations together, as they unite and collaborate.

The tactile allure of the embroidery adds a physical dimension to the art, allowing viewers to feel the textures and appreciate the work that goes into each and every stitch: "What makes these pieces powerful is because the handwork is evident," Weymar says. "It's so personal." 

Weymar's groundbreaking textiles are inviting and jarring, playful and serious, dainty and powerful. Weymar splashes pastel backdrops and stiches intricate patterns to complement the quotations. Each piece invites viewers to engage with it on multiple levels, creating a dynamic interplay between text, texture, and meaning.

Gallery owner, Kathy McCarver says, “From the moment I saw Diana’s work, I wanted to learn more about it, own it, and exhibit it. This work is intimate and human, an antidote to our loud, impersonal, mass-marketed, mass-produced world. This modern world, with its advances and progress, has rendered humans disconnected. This compelling work is an attempt to connect us through words and thoughts.”

Weymar has fostered a sense of community surrounding her projects, encouraging others to send in their textiles or stitch their own pieces. Throughout her career, Weymar has collaborated with organizations such as Build Peace, the Arts Council of Princeton, and the Nantucket Atheneum. Her work has been showcased across the United States and Canada, receiving international acclaim for its innovative artistic approach. 

If you would like more information, please email kathy@kmrarts.com.

September 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025

For the first time, Poskas: Father and Son brings together the artwork of Waterbury natives Peter Poskas II and his son Peter Poskas III. Poskas II is known for painting realist views of Connecticut cities and landscapes, exploring conditions of weather and light on his subjects. Dedicated to realist still lifes before a life-altering accident, Poskas III has recently turned his attention to impressionistic views of the land, animals, and buildings surrounding his Washington, CT farm. A wide-ranging retrospective of late-career Poskas II, and mid-career Poskas III, this exhibition not only speaks to the body of work of both artists, but also tracks how their relationship has changed, grown, and deepened over time through the lens of their artwork.

September 1, 2024 – November 9, 2024

Mary Janacek, this year’s winner of the annual MIXMASTER competition, documents the changing world around her through layers of burned, torn, and painted paper. Mary Janacek: Torn & Transformed showcases her evocative artwork that captures specific environmental and cultural moments. From nights during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to days when wildfire smoke blotted out the sun, visitors are invited to recall the emotions of each dynamic scene and immerse themselves in Janacek’s riveting work.

August 25, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Federico Uribe pairs form and unexpected materials to create imaginative and captivating sculptural assemblages. Highlighting his treatment of animals and the landscapes they inhabit, Federico Uribe: Menagerie offers a playful yet substantive perspective on the natural world. With a wry sense of humor, objects like Bambi made from bullets and Screwed Panda invite questions about the extractive relationship humans have established with animals and the land we all call home.

Meet at Riverside Cemetery for a walking tour learning about the women buried in Riverside Cemetery, led by local historian and Riverside expert, Martin Begnal.

Register Here

Cost

$15.00 per Adult

$10.00 per Member Adult

Suzan Scott. Artist Observer. Landscape Paintings. Abstractions and Atmospherics

Art is a State of Mind

August 3. - October 29.

Open Th-Su 11-5

more info at www.souterraingallery.net

Join us for a weekly dose of inspiration with Rebbetzin Mina as she delves into the weekly Torah portion. Take a break from your busy schedule every Thursday from 11:30-12:30 at Chabad on the Green located at 69 West Litchfield, CT 06759.Come prepared to gain new insights and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. Let Rebbetzin guide you on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Don't miss out on this opportunity to nourish your soul and elevate your week. We can't wait to see you there!

Carol Brightman Johnson is an artist based in Litchfield County, CT. Originally from Andover, MA, she grew up painting a variety of subjects, winning prizes and portrait commissions while still in high school. She graduated with honors from Boston University School of Fine Art and did additional studies with David Gray, Jeff Legg, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handel, David Lussier, Clayton Beck III, Patricia K. Fogle and Ralph Oberg. She usually paints with oils, but occasionally finds expression in pastel, ink or Conte crayon. Carol has participated in Plein Air events: Carmel, CA, San Luis Obispo, CA, Escalante, UT and Cheyenne, WY. Her painting "The Old Jensen Cabin" won the Grand Prize in "Plein Air WY", chosen by Southwest Art magazine. Her equine images have won top honors in national shows, been featured on magazine covers and toured with Paint America. She exhibited in numerous national, regional and local juried art shows. Carol got many honors, often for her animal-themed works. She has done magazine covers for "the Chronicle of the Horse" and "Horse World USA" as well as illustrations for the weekly "Litchfield County Times".

Carol has done solo shows at The Good Gallery, Minor Memorial Library, Stairwell Gallery at Gunn Library, The Smithy and Marty's Cafe and is affiliated with various local and national art organizations. Carol accepts commissions and gives private art instruction. Her work can be found in collections around the US and Canada.

Phil Stone, a Litchfield County native, attended the Philadelphia College of Art where he studied Design. Phil then went on to a career as an award-winning product designer for the Ethan Allen Corporation in Danbury, CT, where he worked for 38 years. Specializing in wood furniture, there are a number of design patents in his name. In retirement, Phil attended the New York Botanical Garden Illustration program, working in drawing, colored pencil, watercolor, oil painting and studying plant morphology. Phil will show mainly oil paintings, but also drawings (graphite), prisma color paintings (colored pencil) as well as abstract paintings and monotypes (one the many types of printing processes). Some of his pieces are very precisely defined and some more on the abstract side. Phil is always exploring many subjects with inspirations deriving from painting en plein air as well as in his studio. His works are in many private collections on both sides of the country. Locally he has shown his art at the Washington Art Association, the Woodbury Library, the Glebe House in Woodbury, as well as in previous shows at the Minor Memorial Library.

Groups meet in the Jamie Gagarin Community Room:

Non-Fiction Book Group: Meets at 2 PM

Book to be discussed: The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli

Why do we remember the past and not the future? What does it mean for time to flow? Do we exist in time or does time exist in us? These questions about the nature of time continue to puzzle physicists and philosophers alike. We may think of time as uniform and universal, moving steadily from past to future, measured by clocks, but the author tears down these assumptions one by one, revealing a strange universe

where at the most fundamental level time disappears. 

Fiction Book Group: Meets at 3:30 PM

Book to be discussed: Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

A lonely young woman works in a boys' prison outside Boston in the early 1960s while also caring for an alcoholic father. Decades later she narrates the events of her last week in her home town, where she had stagnated. She has an unusual personality, and she also has an unusual relationship with her workplace, where she is pulled into a very strange crime.

Book discussion groups are free and open to the public! Books are available to borrow from the library.

This month’s selection is Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Copies are available at the library. Join us!

Bring your lunch, listen to stories, and enjoy a fun craft! All are welcome, this program is intended for preschool-aged children. This event will be offered in person in the Junior Room of the Library.

Registration is appreciated but not required.

Hello! Practice speaking English in a casual setting at the library. Tutors from Literacy Volunteers on the Green will be on hand to keep the conversation flowing.