Community Calendar

HOTCHKISS-FYLER HOUSE MUSEUM

Torrington Historical Society 

192 Main Street, Torrington, CT

2025 hours: Wednesday through Saturdays, April 16 - October 31, 2025

Guided tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm 

Phone: (860) 482-8260   info@torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Admission: Adults $10 per person; children under 8 free

The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum (b. 1900) will open for the season Wednesday April 16th. The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum is a Victorian mansion that was home to two generations of Torrington residents. Gertrude F. Hotchkiss, the last family member to occupy the home, bequeathed the house and contents to the Society in 1956.  The interior of this grand house features mahogany paneling, ornate carvings, stenciled walls, murals, parquet floors and ornamental plaster treatments. Original family furnishings collections of fine and decorative arts. Artists represented are: Ammi Phillips, E.I. Couse, Winfield Scott Clime and George Lawrence Nelson.

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

MORE INFO HERE

Wednesdays (weekly):

2 - 4 PM

Jan 8 - May 28

Saturdays:

2 -4 PM

January 11 & 25

February 8 &22

March 8 & 22

April 12 & 26

May 10

$5 Per Person, Waterbury public school, magnet school, and charter school students get in FREE, Kids Adventure Passholders get in FREE.

Hang out with friends, try a relaxing craft, get creative with graphic design, or chill on a beanbag! All teens grades 6-12, ages 12+ are welcome, with supplies and snacks provided.

To pre-register please call (203) 753-0381, extension 130

Register Here

 Support provided by United Way of Greater Waterbury and Elisha Leavenworth Foundation. .

Join us every Friday night from 5-8 in the NHAG studio, at 37 Greenwoods Road, New Hartford CT - Floor 2 #9A for life model drawing. Participants must be 18+ to attend.

registar at nhagct.art or newhartfordartisansguild.com

Craft paper ornaments out of cupcake liners for your windows, lockers, or bulletin boards!

Ages 11+. Please register @ harwintonlibrary.org/events

Celebrate the annual ceremony of Prince William’s prestigious environmental award: The Earthshot Prize. The star-studded event honors this year’s five winners and their innovative solutions to help repair our planet within the next ten years.

“The Bear Reality” with Felicia A. E. Ortner, Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist, Morris Public Library, Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 PM

Felicia Ortner, CT Master Wildlife Conservationalist and a bear enthusiast, will educate us on the facts about bears and help dispel myths and common misunderstandings.

Bears, like so many animals, have become victims of misunderstandings that have been fueled by media, literature and word of mouth. On one hand, we think of them as vicious predators. On the other hand, we see them as cuddly teddy bears. Both these images can mean trouble for bears.

The population of black bears has been increasing in Connecticut over the last four decades and will continue to grow. Historically, bears had been extirpated from the state by the mid-1800s. With bears reestablishing residency, it is important to educate the public with knowledge and insight and improve our understanding and tolerance. It will help reduce conflicts with our wild bear neighbors.

The Bear Reality is a comprehensive program created to share information and some wisdom of bears. The program will focus on the American black bears, our only resident species in the wild and provide a review of data from results of the bear research conducted by wildlife biologists in the state.

The speaker hopes that a better understanding about the life and behavior of bears will lead to a higher tolerance and coexistence of humans and bears, which will become a Bear Reality.

Please register: 860-567-7440 or https://morrispubliclibrary.net/library-calendar-event-registration/

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

Residents of New Milford and students in New Milford schools 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.

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

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “Vignettes and Portals,” an art exhibition by Greg St. John on view Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 27. 

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

A closing reception and artist talk will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The drawings and paintings in this show were inspired by the urgency of the passing of time and the preciousness of life. The work consists of imagery inspired by the natural world as expressed in abstract marks, values, shapes and colors. They are meant to convey the artist’s thoughts and feelings about his life and the world we live in.

Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

The Gunn Memorial Library Stairwell Gallery is pleased to present Restoration: Landscapes & Botanical Abstracts in Gouache, an exhibition of beautiful landscapes and botanicals by artist Susan Newbury, on view from April 5 through May 31.

Susan’s work is a celebration of nature’s depth and detail, drawing inspiration from the stunning landscapes, waterscapes, and gardens of her rural New York State roots and her home in Litchfield County. With a background in graphic and fashion design, her artistic practice has evolved into a dynamic exploration of color, pattern, and movement. She works primarily in gouache, acrylic, and mixed media on paper, canvas, and wood panel, using a bright, rich palette to create layered compositions that blend natural elements with abstract forms.

“Nature not only provides the subject matter but the solitude, joy, and purpose for my paintings, creating a place of quiet introspection and restoration,” she says. Her work reflects this philosophy, infusing familiar landscapes with energy and emotion while maintaining a sense of tranquility and balance. Inspired by both the botanical world and interior design elements such as fabric, wallpaper, and tilework, her paintings feature repeating shapes and striking color contrasts for an unexpected visual experience.

Her instinctive approach to painting allows her to let go of the rules, creating compositions that are both structured and free-flowing. She paints in her Litchfield County studio and accepts commission work.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture 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.

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:

– 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.

In April, David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village (CT) will host “Playing with Art,” a group art exhibition of vibrant, colorful artworks to spark the imagination and wonder of children of all ages. Highlights of the exhibition include two eye-catching brightly colored quilts by the Hunt Library Quilters alongside new work by prominent local artists such as Danielle Mailer and Ken Musselman. In addition, the library will screen vintage 1970s film animation based on a book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Eric Carle. The film-to-digital transfer was made possible by a gift of the films from producer CB Wismar and through a grant from Northwest CT Community Foundation. One of the films, The Fisherman and His Wife, features noted voice actors June Foray and Hans Conried and was an Academy Award finalist for best animated short in 1979.

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

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays in April at 10:30 AM

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 literary skills, social connections, and fun! We will focus on one special picture book author each week.

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.

 A Community History of Falls Village in Stories, Pictures and Objects. Join writer and Falls Village resident Mark Gozonsky for a six month learning by publishing workshop centered around telling Falls Village stories. Beginning in January participants will meet at the library once a month to share ideas and work on their stories in community. The group will meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at 11 am. The workshop will culminate in June with a book and a community celebration and reading. This workshop is open to all ages. 

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.

Join us in welcoming Christina Maschke to our gallery.

Her Stunning Artwork to Be Displayed at Village Center for the Arts This April.

Christina's opening is Saturday, April 5th @ 6:00PM

Exhibition Dates: April 5th – April 30th

Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00AM-6:00PM

Sunday: 12:00-5:00PM

Closed Mondays

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Christina Maschke: Is a renowned artist whose work spans a variety of subjects. Her innovative approach to art has earned her recognition in both local and national art communities. Through her work, Christina explores the complex interplay of visual aesthetics and personal narratives, creating art that speaks to the viewer on a deeply personal level.

To see more of her work

Christina's Website

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.

"Then & Now/Now & Then": an exhibit of drawings and paintings, focuses on the long careers of artists Nancy Lasar and Caroll Macdonald. It features works in painting, drawing and print from various periods of their practices comparing and contrasting recurring themes and subject matter as it has evolved over time and in different media.

Nancy Lasar is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a BFA in Painting and graduated as a RISD Scholar, receiving the Pell Medal for Excellence in Art History. She attended the Yale Graduate School for Painting and studied the history of film at Columbia. Lasar has been widely exhibited in the Northeast, Midwest and internationally in China, Sweden and Japan. She has had numerous solo exhibitions at the Mattatuck Museum, Amy Simon Fine Art, New Arts Gallery, Five Points Gallery, A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn and Site: Brooklyn The Yard, NY., The Washington Art Association and the Silvermine Gallery.

Invitational and Group Exhibitions include The International Print Center N.Y., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Art of the Northeast at the Silvermine Gallery, The Judy Black Park and Gardens (2020), Avon Old Farms Hotel, Minor Memorial Library, The Bruce Museum, The Lyman Allen Museum, the DeCordova Museum and The New Britain Museum of American Art.

Lasar’s work is included in numerous Collections such as Aetna Life and Casualty, the General Mills Corp., Pfizer Corp., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, The Karsdale Collection and C.&J. Goodfriend Drawings and Prints, as well as numerous private collections nation wide.

Nancy Lasar is represented by VanDeb Editions, Amy Simon Fine Art, A.I.R. Gallery as Alumnae, The Silvermine Gallery. She has received two Individual Artist Fellowships from the State of Connecticut and a grant from the Vermont Studio Center.

Nancy Lasar has lived and worked in Washington Depot, CT for close to 50 years.

Carroll Macdonald is a well-known and respected landscape and abstract painter. Her career spans over five decades and started with drawing lessons as a child and continued at Choate/Rosemary Hall where she studied with Julius Delbos. After receiving a fine arts degree from Bennett College in Millbrook, NY, she moved to New York City where she studied at the National Academy of Design and then for several years at the Art Students League with such masters as Edwin Dickenson, Robert Beverley Hale and Frank Mason. She has taught art at the Grace Church School in Manhattan and during the summer continued her studies with Mason, an internationally acclaimed painter, at his summer programs in Vermont and coastal Maine.

Carroll has extensively exhibited her work in one-person and group shows with Jacques Kaplan at his Gallery in Kent, CT; at the Morrison Gallery, alson in Kent; the Washington Art Association in Washington, CT; the Daphne Deeds Gallery in Bantam, CT; the New Arts Gallery in Litchfield, CT; the Southport Harbor Gallery in Southport, CT; the Paul Melllon Arts Center in Wallingford, CT; the New Britain Museum in New Britain, CT; the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT, and in New York City at the Union League Club, the National Arts Club and recently the Century Club.

Carroll’s paintings are held by numerous private collectors and she is represented in the permanent collections of the William Benton Museum in Storrs, CT, the Art Students League and the Century Club. As stated by Kaplan: “when I come upon the landscapes of Carroll, I knew at once I had arrived in the places that we all dream about” that “make her equal to the masters of the past”.

Carroll currently works in her studio in Bridgewater, CT, and en plain air in the lovely Connecticut countryside.

The Cornwall Library is delighted to present Traces, Places, and Faces, an intriguing exhibition of photography and watercolor painting by Sari Goodfriend and Eddie Watkins. They are life partners, and exhibit their shared passion for people, nature, and art in this joint show.

From an early age, New Yorker Sari Goodfriend happily spent her childhood summers in Cornwall with her sister Jenny and her art dealer parents, Carol and Jim. For a few years after college she lived in East Cornwall, photographing for local newspapers from New Milford to Salisbury. Todd Piker (of Cornwall Bridge Pottery) provided her a first opportunity to exhibit (and sell!) her personal photos in a show he curated at the Silo Gallery in New Milford. 

Moving back to New York, Sari has since worked as a commercial photographer, shooting assignments for corporations, magazines, non-profits, universities, and private individuals. She now does mostly portraits and events, but her youthful Cornwall summers are apparent in the landscape and nature-inspired images she is exhibiting at the library. Her part of the show also features some abstract photographs inspired by what she terms “bleak winter beauty” and “the wild, chaotic, post-tornado woods”. Many of her photographs are in frames that once held old master prints from her parents’ art dealership, C&J Goodfriend, Drawings and Prints.

Eddie Watkins is from Pittsburgh. After four years in the Navy stationed in Cuba and Newfoundland as a proud member of the Seabees (Construction Battalion), he moved to New York City and became a photographer of fine artwork. His clientele includes museums such as The Frick Collection, The Museum of Arts and Design, private art dealers, well known artists, and collectors. He also photographed the permanent collection of The Art Students League.

Eddie has been the drummer for many rock and blues bands, a sideline that provides subjects for personal photography seen in this show. When on the move, from 1980s city streets to rural landscapes, Eddie always carries either a camera or a set of watercolors. His painting style ranges from loose and interpretive to detailed and exacting, inspired by his naval engineering background. This show includes both his photography and watercolors. 

Traces, Places, and Faces runs from April 19 to June 7. The artists’ reception is on Saturday, April 19, from 5 to 7 pm. Registration on the library website is requested for the reception.

HOTCHKISS-FYLER HOUSE MUSEUM

Torrington Historical Society 

192 Main Street, Torrington, CT

2025 hours: Wednesday through Saturdays, April 16 - October 31, 2025

Guided tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm 

Phone: (860) 482-8260   info@torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Admission: Adults $10 per person; children under 8 free

The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum (b. 1900) will open for the season Wednesday April 16th. The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum is a Victorian mansion that was home to two generations of Torrington residents. Gertrude F. Hotchkiss, the last family member to occupy the home, bequeathed the house and contents to the Society in 1956.  The interior of this grand house features mahogany paneling, ornate carvings, stenciled walls, murals, parquet floors and ornamental plaster treatments. Original family furnishings collections of fine and decorative arts. Artists represented are: Ammi Phillips, E.I. Couse, Winfield Scott Clime and George Lawrence Nelson.

Come see the first exhibition of the New Hartford Artisans Guild. Multiple artist have come together to celebrate ate in various artistic styles.

Reception is April 5th 5-9pm.

27th Wine, Beer & More Tasting Event Presented by The Exchange Club of Waterbury Charitable Foundation, Inc.

In partnerships with Mountain Top Liquors

Our Presenting Sponsor - The Shaker Auto Group

& Our Platinum Sponsor - GREENCORE

Raffle Prizes, Silent Auction Prizes, Door Prize and also featuring goodies from Sweet Maria's

On Thursday, April 24th at 5:30 pm the David M. Hunt Library will host a virtual event on the Science of Happiness with Professor Catherine Sanderson. Professor Catherine Sanderson will describe cutting-edge research from the field of positive psychology on the factors that do (and do not) predict happiness, and provide participants with practical (and relatively easy!) ways to increase their own psychological well-being. Catherine Sanderson is the Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a specialization in Health and Development, from Stanford University, and received both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology from Princeton University. Her research has received grant funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. Professor Sanderson has published over 25 journal articles and book chapters in addition to multiple textbooks for learners of all ages. In 2012, she was named one of the country's top 300 professors by the Princeton Review.

Grab your copy and join us at the Gunn Memorial Library for a conversation about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. 

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. 

When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, cultural appropriation, and the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. 

Registration is required: www.gunnlibrary.org/

What's your favorite sitcom? Award-winning author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin hosts this fun and enlightening presentation based on his book, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time. He is the only author to actually rank the best of the best, including I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Frasier and The Big Bang Theory. He will show funny snippets from those shows and others, challenge patrons with sitcom trivia (including identifying cool theme songs!), discuss the criteria he used to rank 70 years of sitcoms and talk about how they have evolved over the decades in humor, presentation and content. This program is really entertaining so join in on the fun! This program is sponsored by the Friends of New Milford Library.

Thursday, April 24th, at 6:30 PM, 2nd Home welcomes back the T.J. Thompson Trio. This promises to be an amazing evening with this killer jazz trio. They've been here a number of times already, and it's always special. A true don't miss.

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

https://www.facebook.com/tjthompsontrio/

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

Google Street View

https://goo.gl/maps/eC7A4ZDEjenNqzpb6

https://goo.gl/maps/NWGK4NRyk6MNfmWZ6

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

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

Residents of New Milford and students in New Milford schools 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.

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

At long last, the trip of a lifetime has arrived—CANYON COUNTRY!

Join us as we travel to Canyon Country out West in the Spring of 2025. A visit to experience the Grand Canyon seems to be on everyone’s Bucket List. We’re thrilled to offer you the opportunity to check it off of your List!

Morris Community Activities (Morris Beach and Recreation / Morris Senior Center) have partnered with AAA Northeast / Collette Tours to bring you this once is a lifetime experience. You will enjoy 8 days / 7 nights in Arizona / Utah / Nevada.

Some of the highlights of your experience include, but are not limited to: visits to Scottsdale; Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, Rafting on Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell Cruise, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and finally...Las Vegas!

We’ll be spending 4 days in Arizona, 2 days in Utah, and one day in Nevada.

Your tour includes 10 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners.

This adventure includes your round trip air fare from BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT along with ALL of your transfers including transportation to and from the airport from the Morris Town Hall, hotel accommodations, 10 meals along with activity / museum entry fees. Gratuities not included.

Travel dates are April 25 - May 2, 2025. Cost per person, double occupancy—$3,699. Single / triple rates are available upon request.

Would you like a copy of our color brochure? Email us at Activities@townofmorrisct.com.

Ready to book? Reach out to us at Activities@townofmorrisct.com or directly to Karen Basilone, AAA Northeast at kbasilone@aaanortheast.com

Limited seating remains - don't delay!

The Northwest Conservation District Earth Day Plant Sale has a variety of native and beneficial plant species available for sale as a pre order starting March 6th and ending April 16th. Pick up will be on the days of sale (April 25, 26, 27) at the Goshen Fairgrounds. We also have plants available on the days of sale! Looking forward to seeing you at the event. Shop online at https://nwcd.org/shop/

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “Vignettes and Portals,” an art exhibition by Greg St. John on view Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 27. 

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

A closing reception and artist talk will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The drawings and paintings in this show were inspired by the urgency of the passing of time and the preciousness of life. The work consists of imagery inspired by the natural world as expressed in abstract marks, values, shapes and colors. They are meant to convey the artist’s thoughts and feelings about his life and the world we live in.

Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

The Gunn Memorial Library Stairwell Gallery is pleased to present Restoration: Landscapes & Botanical Abstracts in Gouache, an exhibition of beautiful landscapes and botanicals by artist Susan Newbury, on view from April 5 through May 31.

Susan’s work is a celebration of nature’s depth and detail, drawing inspiration from the stunning landscapes, waterscapes, and gardens of her rural New York State roots and her home in Litchfield County. With a background in graphic and fashion design, her artistic practice has evolved into a dynamic exploration of color, pattern, and movement. She works primarily in gouache, acrylic, and mixed media on paper, canvas, and wood panel, using a bright, rich palette to create layered compositions that blend natural elements with abstract forms.

“Nature not only provides the subject matter but the solitude, joy, and purpose for my paintings, creating a place of quiet introspection and restoration,” she says. Her work reflects this philosophy, infusing familiar landscapes with energy and emotion while maintaining a sense of tranquility and balance. Inspired by both the botanical world and interior design elements such as fabric, wallpaper, and tilework, her paintings feature repeating shapes and striking color contrasts for an unexpected visual experience.

Her instinctive approach to painting allows her to let go of the rules, creating compositions that are both structured and free-flowing. She paints in her Litchfield County studio and accepts commission work.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture 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.

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:

– 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.

"Then & Now/Now & Then": an exhibit of drawings and paintings, focuses on the long careers of artists Nancy Lasar and Caroll Macdonald. It features works in painting, drawing and print from various periods of their practices comparing and contrasting recurring themes and subject matter as it has evolved over time and in different media.

Nancy Lasar is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a BFA in Painting and graduated as a RISD Scholar, receiving the Pell Medal for Excellence in Art History. She attended the Yale Graduate School for Painting and studied the history of film at Columbia. Lasar has been widely exhibited in the Northeast, Midwest and internationally in China, Sweden and Japan. She has had numerous solo exhibitions at the Mattatuck Museum, Amy Simon Fine Art, New Arts Gallery, Five Points Gallery, A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn and Site: Brooklyn The Yard, NY., The Washington Art Association and the Silvermine Gallery.

Invitational and Group Exhibitions include The International Print Center N.Y., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Art of the Northeast at the Silvermine Gallery, The Judy Black Park and Gardens (2020), Avon Old Farms Hotel, Minor Memorial Library, The Bruce Museum, The Lyman Allen Museum, the DeCordova Museum and The New Britain Museum of American Art.

Lasar’s work is included in numerous Collections such as Aetna Life and Casualty, the General Mills Corp., Pfizer Corp., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, The Karsdale Collection and C.&J. Goodfriend Drawings and Prints, as well as numerous private collections nation wide.

Nancy Lasar is represented by VanDeb Editions, Amy Simon Fine Art, A.I.R. Gallery as Alumnae, The Silvermine Gallery. She has received two Individual Artist Fellowships from the State of Connecticut and a grant from the Vermont Studio Center.

Nancy Lasar has lived and worked in Washington Depot, CT for close to 50 years.

Carroll Macdonald is a well-known and respected landscape and abstract painter. Her career spans over five decades and started with drawing lessons as a child and continued at Choate/Rosemary Hall where she studied with Julius Delbos. After receiving a fine arts degree from Bennett College in Millbrook, NY, she moved to New York City where she studied at the National Academy of Design and then for several years at the Art Students League with such masters as Edwin Dickenson, Robert Beverley Hale and Frank Mason. She has taught art at the Grace Church School in Manhattan and during the summer continued her studies with Mason, an internationally acclaimed painter, at his summer programs in Vermont and coastal Maine.

Carroll has extensively exhibited her work in one-person and group shows with Jacques Kaplan at his Gallery in Kent, CT; at the Morrison Gallery, alson in Kent; the Washington Art Association in Washington, CT; the Daphne Deeds Gallery in Bantam, CT; the New Arts Gallery in Litchfield, CT; the Southport Harbor Gallery in Southport, CT; the Paul Melllon Arts Center in Wallingford, CT; the New Britain Museum in New Britain, CT; the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT, and in New York City at the Union League Club, the National Arts Club and recently the Century Club.

Carroll’s paintings are held by numerous private collectors and she is represented in the permanent collections of the William Benton Museum in Storrs, CT, the Art Students League and the Century Club. As stated by Kaplan: “when I come upon the landscapes of Carroll, I knew at once I had arrived in the places that we all dream about” that “make her equal to the masters of the past”.

Carroll currently works in her studio in Bridgewater, CT, and en plain air in the lovely Connecticut countryside.

Live, In-Person & on Zoom:

Mark Scarbrough returns to OWL this Spring; leading us through 8 weeks of some of his favorite Flannery O’Connor works.

Flannery O'Connor is considered one of America's greatest fiction writers and her writing often reflects her Catholic faith, and frequently examined questions of morality and ethics. When she died in August of 1964, The New York Times called her “one of the nation’s most promising writers.” 

O’Connor is now as canonical as Faulkner and Welty. More than a great writer, she’s a cultural figure: a funny lady in a straw hat, puttering among peacocks, on crutches she likened to “flying buttresses.”

Discussion Schedule:

March 14: A Good Man is Hard to Find; A Circle of Fire; and Good Country People

March 21: The Artificial N----r and The Displaced Person

March 28: Wise Blood: chapters 1 - 7

April 4: Wise Blood: chapters 8 - 14

April 18: The Violent Bear It Away: chapters 1 - 5

April 25: The Violent Bear It Away: chapters 6 - 12

May 2: Greenleaf; The Enduring Chill; and The Comforts of Home

May 9: Everything That Rises Must Converge; The Lame Shall Enter First; and Revelation

MARK SCARBROUGH is a former English Professor and author who teaches seminars on Virginia Woolf, William Faulkner and Toni Morrison. He also hosts three literary podcasts.

The library will have copies of Flannery O'Connor's works to borrow and titles are also available to download as e-books or e-audios to OWL library card holders.

Registration required for in-person attendance.

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

Opening Celebration February 23

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

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

August 15, 2024 – September 21, 2025

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

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

Join us in welcoming Christina Maschke to our gallery.

Her Stunning Artwork to Be Displayed at Village Center for the Arts This April.

Christina's opening is Saturday, April 5th @ 6:00PM

Exhibition Dates: April 5th – April 30th

Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00AM-6:00PM

Sunday: 12:00-5:00PM

Closed Mondays

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Christina Maschke: Is a renowned artist whose work spans a variety of subjects. Her innovative approach to art has earned her recognition in both local and national art communities. Through her work, Christina explores the complex interplay of visual aesthetics and personal narratives, creating art that speaks to the viewer on a deeply personal level.

To see more of her work

Christina's Website

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

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.

The Cornwall Library is delighted to present Traces, Places, and Faces, an intriguing exhibition of photography and watercolor painting by Sari Goodfriend and Eddie Watkins. They are life partners, and exhibit their shared passion for people, nature, and art in this joint show.

From an early age, New Yorker Sari Goodfriend happily spent her childhood summers in Cornwall with her sister Jenny and her art dealer parents, Carol and Jim. For a few years after college she lived in East Cornwall, photographing for local newspapers from New Milford to Salisbury. Todd Piker (of Cornwall Bridge Pottery) provided her a first opportunity to exhibit (and sell!) her personal photos in a show he curated at the Silo Gallery in New Milford. 

Moving back to New York, Sari has since worked as a commercial photographer, shooting assignments for corporations, magazines, non-profits, universities, and private individuals. She now does mostly portraits and events, but her youthful Cornwall summers are apparent in the landscape and nature-inspired images she is exhibiting at the library. Her part of the show also features some abstract photographs inspired by what she terms “bleak winter beauty” and “the wild, chaotic, post-tornado woods”. Many of her photographs are in frames that once held old master prints from her parents’ art dealership, C&J Goodfriend, Drawings and Prints.

Eddie Watkins is from Pittsburgh. After four years in the Navy stationed in Cuba and Newfoundland as a proud member of the Seabees (Construction Battalion), he moved to New York City and became a photographer of fine artwork. His clientele includes museums such as The Frick Collection, The Museum of Arts and Design, private art dealers, well known artists, and collectors. He also photographed the permanent collection of The Art Students League.

Eddie has been the drummer for many rock and blues bands, a sideline that provides subjects for personal photography seen in this show. When on the move, from 1980s city streets to rural landscapes, Eddie always carries either a camera or a set of watercolors. His painting style ranges from loose and interpretive to detailed and exacting, inspired by his naval engineering background. This show includes both his photography and watercolors. 

Traces, Places, and Faces runs from April 19 to June 7. The artists’ reception is on Saturday, April 19, from 5 to 7 pm. Registration on the library website is requested for the reception.

Come join us for lunch and a movie! Movie playing is: The Linguini Incident

This program is made possible by a generous grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund.

In April, David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village (CT) will host “Playing with Art,” a group art exhibition of vibrant, colorful artworks to spark the imagination and wonder of children of all ages. Highlights of the exhibition include two eye-catching brightly colored quilts by the Hunt Library Quilters alongside new work by prominent local artists such as Danielle Mailer and Ken Musselman. In addition, the library will screen vintage 1970s film animation based on a book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Eric Carle. The film-to-digital transfer was made possible by a gift of the films from producer CB Wismar and through a grant from Northwest CT Community Foundation. One of the films, The Fisherman and His Wife, features noted voice actors June Foray and Hans Conried and was an Academy Award finalist for best animated short in 1979.

HOTCHKISS-FYLER HOUSE MUSEUM

Torrington Historical Society 

192 Main Street, Torrington, CT

2025 hours: Wednesday through Saturdays, April 16 - October 31, 2025

Guided tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm 

Phone: (860) 482-8260   info@torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Admission: Adults $10 per person; children under 8 free

The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum (b. 1900) will open for the season Wednesday April 16th. The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum is a Victorian mansion that was home to two generations of Torrington residents. Gertrude F. Hotchkiss, the last family member to occupy the home, bequeathed the house and contents to the Society in 1956.  The interior of this grand house features mahogany paneling, ornate carvings, stenciled walls, murals, parquet floors and ornamental plaster treatments. Original family furnishings collections of fine and decorative arts. Artists represented are: Ammi Phillips, E.I. Couse, Winfield Scott Clime and George Lawrence Nelson.

Come see the first exhibition of the New Hartford Artisans Guild. Multiple artist have come together to celebrate ate in various artistic styles.

Reception is April 5th 5-9pm.

Connecticut Classics: A Film Series Featuring Movies About, Filmed In, or Set In Connecticut

Throughout 2025, on select Friday evenings, we will feature Pizza and a Movie.

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit is a 1956 American drama film starring Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones, with Fredric March, Lee J. Cobb, Keenan Wynn and Marisa Pavan in support. Based on the 1955 novel by Sloan Wilson, it was written and directed by Nunnally Johnson, and focuses on Tom Rath, a young World War II veteran trying to balance the pressures of his marriage to an ambitious wife and growing family with the demands of a career while dealing with ongoing after-effects of his war service and a new high-stress job.

The Fantasy Book Club will take place at the Morris Public Library on Friday, April 25, 6:30 PM to discuss "One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig.

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason.

He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

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

Friday, April 25th, at 7:00 PM, Robert C. Fullerton (https://www.robertcfullerton.com/) returns to 2nd Home. Robert is another one of our regulars, and his original and cover material, along with his storytelling, are a don't miss. Always great fun!

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

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

Google Street View

https://goo.gl/maps/eC7A4ZDEjenNqzpb6

https://goo.gl/maps/NWGK4NRyk6MNfmWZ6

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2dhomelounge.com

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

Paint and sip located above Toothpick on Water Street in Torrington!

BYOB! Painting new types of still life's every week.

All materials included in price

RSVP online

"Next to Normal" is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers around a mother, Diana Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the impact it has on her family. The musical addresses themes such as mental illness, grief, and the challenges of modern suburban life.

The narrative delves deep into Diana's attempts to balance her mental health with her family responsibilities, exploring the effects of her condition on her husband, Dan, and their children, Natalie and Gabe. The show is known for its powerful and emotional portrayal of these issues, offering a raw and honest look at the complexities of mental health and family dynamics.

"Next to Normal" premiered off-Broadway in 2008 before moving to Broadway in 2009. The winner of 3 Tony awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this critically acclaimed musical is not one to miss. Performances will be held April 25-27th at CT State Naugatuck Valley in the Ricci Playbox Theater.

Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admission.

Show contains mature themes that may not be suited for younger audiences.

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

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

At long last, the trip of a lifetime has arrived—CANYON COUNTRY!

Join us as we travel to Canyon Country out West in the Spring of 2025. A visit to experience the Grand Canyon seems to be on everyone’s Bucket List. We’re thrilled to offer you the opportunity to check it off of your List!

Morris Community Activities (Morris Beach and Recreation / Morris Senior Center) have partnered with AAA Northeast / Collette Tours to bring you this once is a lifetime experience. You will enjoy 8 days / 7 nights in Arizona / Utah / Nevada.

Some of the highlights of your experience include, but are not limited to: visits to Scottsdale; Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, Rafting on Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell Cruise, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and finally...Las Vegas!

We’ll be spending 4 days in Arizona, 2 days in Utah, and one day in Nevada.

Your tour includes 10 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners.

This adventure includes your round trip air fare from BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT along with ALL of your transfers including transportation to and from the airport from the Morris Town Hall, hotel accommodations, 10 meals along with activity / museum entry fees. Gratuities not included.

Travel dates are April 25 - May 2, 2025. Cost per person, double occupancy—$3,699. Single / triple rates are available upon request.

Would you like a copy of our color brochure? Email us at Activities@townofmorrisct.com.

Ready to book? Reach out to us at Activities@townofmorrisct.com or directly to Karen Basilone, AAA Northeast at kbasilone@aaanortheast.com

Limited seating remains - don't delay!

The Northwest Conservation District Earth Day Plant Sale has a variety of native and beneficial plant species available for sale as a pre order starting March 6th and ending April 16th. Pick up will be on the days of sale (April 25, 26, 27) at the Goshen Fairgrounds. We also have plants available on the days of sale! Looking forward to seeing you at the event. Shop online at https://nwcd.org/shop/

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “Vignettes and Portals,” an art exhibition by Greg St. John on view Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 27. 

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

A closing reception and artist talk will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The drawings and paintings in this show were inspired by the urgency of the passing of time and the preciousness of life. The work consists of imagery inspired by the natural world as expressed in abstract marks, values, shapes and colors. They are meant to convey the artist’s thoughts and feelings about his life and the world we live in.

Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

Mark your calendars for our annual Earth Day Cleanup! Meet us at the Friends of Main Street's green tent on the sidewalk at 372-378 Main St at 9:30 am. Help clean up litter on streets and sidewalks around town. We provide eco-friendly bags and gloves. Choose your work area, and start returning around 11:30 am for a pizza party at Noon. And remember to sign up if you are volunteering as a group! Kids under 18 must be with an adult.

The Gunn Memorial Library Stairwell Gallery is pleased to present Restoration: Landscapes & Botanical Abstracts in Gouache, an exhibition of beautiful landscapes and botanicals by artist Susan Newbury, on view from April 5 through May 31.

Susan’s work is a celebration of nature’s depth and detail, drawing inspiration from the stunning landscapes, waterscapes, and gardens of her rural New York State roots and her home in Litchfield County. With a background in graphic and fashion design, her artistic practice has evolved into a dynamic exploration of color, pattern, and movement. She works primarily in gouache, acrylic, and mixed media on paper, canvas, and wood panel, using a bright, rich palette to create layered compositions that blend natural elements with abstract forms.

“Nature not only provides the subject matter but the solitude, joy, and purpose for my paintings, creating a place of quiet introspection and restoration,” she says. Her work reflects this philosophy, infusing familiar landscapes with energy and emotion while maintaining a sense of tranquility and balance. Inspired by both the botanical world and interior design elements such as fabric, wallpaper, and tilework, her paintings feature repeating shapes and striking color contrasts for an unexpected visual experience.

Her instinctive approach to painting allows her to let go of the rules, creating compositions that are both structured and free-flowing. She paints in her Litchfield County studio and accepts commission work.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture 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.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop is happy to be celebrating the 12th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday April 26th 2025!

This year The Hickory Stick Bookshop will have the following things going on -

* Celebratory mimosas!

* Find the Libro.fm Golden Ticket (the audiobook platform supporting independent bookstores)

* To coincide with Washington’s celebration of National Poetry Month, For   The Love of Poetry, we are inviting customers to come up with some Book  Spine Poetry that they can type up on our antique typewriter.

* Visit our Poetree

* Blind Date with a Book

* Guess the Shredded Book

* Indie Bookstore Day Tote Bags

* Special Indie Bookstore Day merch

* We are also part of the CT Passport program which encourages people to visit all participating indie bookstores in CT over the course of the weekend, to win huge prizes.

Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) was established in 2013 to promote, celebrate, and highlight the value of the independent bookstore community. The day has been observed on the last Saturday of April every year since 2013. This year there are over 900 stores participating across the country.

Independent Bookstore Day is organized by the American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, that works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Indie Bookstore Day is our favorite day of the year. It’s a way to celebrate bookshops and book buyers and we always have a lot of fun. We hope you can join us for our celebration!

For more information - http://www.indiebound.org/independent-bookstore-day

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:

– 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.

The Litchfield Farmers Market is one of the few year-round markets in the Connecticut. The weekly Saturday market offers fresh seasonal produce, fruit, berries, herbs, sustainably sourced fish; artisanal cheeses, breads and baked goods, local honey, maple syrup and gifts - all raised, grown or crafted by 15+ local vendors. 

The market occasionally hosts live music and supports non-profits from throughout the Litchfield area.

INDOOR MARKET - November through mid-June (intermittent Saturdays through the winter months -- check the website for dates.) Open Saturdays 10am - 1pm at the Litchfield Community Center located at 421 Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT.

OUTDOOR MARKET - mid- June through October located at Center School, Litchfield.

Whiting Mills’ Spring Open Studios is back this April 26 & 27, 2025 from 10am to 4pm. Stroll the historic Whiting Mill building where you will find 30 resident artists, makers, and specialty shops featuring unique handmade, high-quality gifts: silver jewelry, a wide array of fine art, steam punk, clothing & quilting arts, vintage books, photography, candles, woven baskets, stained glass, furniture & architectural elements, sculpture, Special FX makeup studio and wellness practitioners.  This weekend event also includes 20 Guest Art & Craft vendors.

Free Admission and Free parking.  

Children aged 0-3 and their caregivers to invited to enjoy time in the Museum galleries for some art and history fun while practicing developmental, social, and mobility skills- all while the museum is closed to the public! A museum educator will facilitate storytime and 30 minutes of playtime in the galleries with an opportunity to mingle with other parents and caregivers.

Cost: $5

"Then & Now/Now & Then": an exhibit of drawings and paintings, focuses on the long careers of artists Nancy Lasar and Caroll Macdonald. It features works in painting, drawing and print from various periods of their practices comparing and contrasting recurring themes and subject matter as it has evolved over time and in different media.

Nancy Lasar is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a BFA in Painting and graduated as a RISD Scholar, receiving the Pell Medal for Excellence in Art History. She attended the Yale Graduate School for Painting and studied the history of film at Columbia. Lasar has been widely exhibited in the Northeast, Midwest and internationally in China, Sweden and Japan. She has had numerous solo exhibitions at the Mattatuck Museum, Amy Simon Fine Art, New Arts Gallery, Five Points Gallery, A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn and Site: Brooklyn The Yard, NY., The Washington Art Association and the Silvermine Gallery.

Invitational and Group Exhibitions include The International Print Center N.Y., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Art of the Northeast at the Silvermine Gallery, The Judy Black Park and Gardens (2020), Avon Old Farms Hotel, Minor Memorial Library, The Bruce Museum, The Lyman Allen Museum, the DeCordova Museum and The New Britain Museum of American Art.

Lasar’s work is included in numerous Collections such as Aetna Life and Casualty, the General Mills Corp., Pfizer Corp., The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, The Karsdale Collection and C.&J. Goodfriend Drawings and Prints, as well as numerous private collections nation wide.

Nancy Lasar is represented by VanDeb Editions, Amy Simon Fine Art, A.I.R. Gallery as Alumnae, The Silvermine Gallery. She has received two Individual Artist Fellowships from the State of Connecticut and a grant from the Vermont Studio Center.

Nancy Lasar has lived and worked in Washington Depot, CT for close to 50 years.

Carroll Macdonald is a well-known and respected landscape and abstract painter. Her career spans over five decades and started with drawing lessons as a child and continued at Choate/Rosemary Hall where she studied with Julius Delbos. After receiving a fine arts degree from Bennett College in Millbrook, NY, she moved to New York City where she studied at the National Academy of Design and then for several years at the Art Students League with such masters as Edwin Dickenson, Robert Beverley Hale and Frank Mason. She has taught art at the Grace Church School in Manhattan and during the summer continued her studies with Mason, an internationally acclaimed painter, at his summer programs in Vermont and coastal Maine.

Carroll has extensively exhibited her work in one-person and group shows with Jacques Kaplan at his Gallery in Kent, CT; at the Morrison Gallery, alson in Kent; the Washington Art Association in Washington, CT; the Daphne Deeds Gallery in Bantam, CT; the New Arts Gallery in Litchfield, CT; the Southport Harbor Gallery in Southport, CT; the Paul Melllon Arts Center in Wallingford, CT; the New Britain Museum in New Britain, CT; the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT, and in New York City at the Union League Club, the National Arts Club and recently the Century Club.

Carroll’s paintings are held by numerous private collectors and she is represented in the permanent collections of the William Benton Museum in Storrs, CT, the Art Students League and the Century Club. As stated by Kaplan: “when I come upon the landscapes of Carroll, I knew at once I had arrived in the places that we all dream about” that “make her equal to the masters of the past”.

Carroll currently works in her studio in Bridgewater, CT, and en plain air in the lovely Connecticut countryside.

Join us in welcoming Christina Maschke to our gallery.

Her Stunning Artwork to Be Displayed at Village Center for the Arts This April.

Christina's opening is Saturday, April 5th @ 6:00PM

Exhibition Dates: April 5th – April 30th

Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00AM-6:00PM

Sunday: 12:00-5:00PM

Closed Mondays

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Christina Maschke: Is a renowned artist whose work spans a variety of subjects. Her innovative approach to art has earned her recognition in both local and national art communities. Through her work, Christina explores the complex interplay of visual aesthetics and personal narratives, creating art that speaks to the viewer on a deeply personal level.

To see more of her work

Christina's Website

The Cornwall Library is delighted to present Traces, Places, and Faces, an intriguing exhibition of photography and watercolor painting by Sari Goodfriend and Eddie Watkins. They are life partners, and exhibit their shared passion for people, nature, and art in this joint show.

From an early age, New Yorker Sari Goodfriend happily spent her childhood summers in Cornwall with her sister Jenny and her art dealer parents, Carol and Jim. For a few years after college she lived in East Cornwall, photographing for local newspapers from New Milford to Salisbury. Todd Piker (of Cornwall Bridge Pottery) provided her a first opportunity to exhibit (and sell!) her personal photos in a show he curated at the Silo Gallery in New Milford. 

Moving back to New York, Sari has since worked as a commercial photographer, shooting assignments for corporations, magazines, non-profits, universities, and private individuals. She now does mostly portraits and events, but her youthful Cornwall summers are apparent in the landscape and nature-inspired images she is exhibiting at the library. Her part of the show also features some abstract photographs inspired by what she terms “bleak winter beauty” and “the wild, chaotic, post-tornado woods”. Many of her photographs are in frames that once held old master prints from her parents’ art dealership, C&J Goodfriend, Drawings and Prints.

Eddie Watkins is from Pittsburgh. After four years in the Navy stationed in Cuba and Newfoundland as a proud member of the Seabees (Construction Battalion), he moved to New York City and became a photographer of fine artwork. His clientele includes museums such as The Frick Collection, The Museum of Arts and Design, private art dealers, well known artists, and collectors. He also photographed the permanent collection of The Art Students League.

Eddie has been the drummer for many rock and blues bands, a sideline that provides subjects for personal photography seen in this show. When on the move, from 1980s city streets to rural landscapes, Eddie always carries either a camera or a set of watercolors. His painting style ranges from loose and interpretive to detailed and exacting, inspired by his naval engineering background. This show includes both his photography and watercolors. 

Traces, Places, and Faces runs from April 19 to June 7. The artists’ reception is on Saturday, April 19, from 5 to 7 pm. Registration on the library website is requested for the reception.

Saturdays in April at 10:30 AM

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. We also have an ongoing Scavenger Hunt with a squishy prize for winners. And most importantly come in to browse our collection of print books, Nutmeg nominees, and Wonderbooks!

Arthur Nager: Building Stories

Opening Celebration February 23

February 17, 2025 – June 1, 2025

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

August 15, 2024 – September 21, 2025

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

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

The Gunn Memorial Library is thrilled to host Litchfield poet and photographer Jo-Ann Iannotti for an inspiring program that celebrates creativity and artistic expression. Join us as Jo-Ann shares how poetry and photography have served as powerful pathways to engaging with life to its fullest.

Through heartfelt stories, evocative poetry, and striking imagery, Jo-Ann invites attendees to explore the transformative potential of art. Seasoned artists will find encouragement in her experiences, while budding creatives will be inspired to respond to her call to embrace their most authentic selves.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be moved, motivated, and empowered to see the world—and yourself—through new, creative lenses. 

Jo-Ann will have copies of her new book to sign at the end of her program!

BIO:

Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP, is a Dominican Sister of Hope and former Art and Spirituality Coordinator at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT.

Her ministries have included teaching in elementary and secondary schools in

New York and New Jersey, Associate Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Hartford, a scriptwriter for the Office of Radio and Television of the Archdiocese of Hartford, and reporter and photographer for The Catholic Transcript newspaper. Jo-Ann is a poet and photographer. Her poetry has appeared in national and international magazines. She has had solo shows of her photography in New York and Connecticut. She is a member of the Dominican Institute for the Arts.

A native of Paterson, New Jersey, she holds a B.A. in Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY, and an M.A. in Theology from Fordham University, Bronx, NY.

Jo-Ann frequently lectures on the 14th-century English mystic Julian of Norwich

and the inter-relationship between art and spirituality. She is the author of

Remember, Return, Rejoice: Journeying from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

She also has been a Supply Preacher for numerous churches in Northwest

Connecticut.

Registration is required: www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/i-know-myself-as-thief-creativity-and-self-discovery-with-sister-jo-ann-iannotti/

Live, In-Person & on Zoom:

We invite you to explore a selection of Yeats’ work with us! 

William Butler Yeats is a foremost Irish poet of the 20th century. Yeats’ poetry encompassed Irish history, mythology, and politics. He is considered a master poet for his command of imagery and emotional lyric poetry. He is universal. Poets and people in every country study him and the Irish celebrate his life and contribution to Ireland, and to the canon of world literature. 

Approximately one month before, we will have a packet of the selected poems for this discussion. We encourage you to read the poems beforehand.

Jim Kelleher lives in Goshen with his partner Queenie Troy and the wild birds they feed. Jim has taught in many schools, currently WCSU, published many books including most recently You Don’t Have To Thank Me For This, and lived many dreams, among them Woodstock, the Boston Public Schools, California, Jim’s Fine Carpentry, and Cape Breton Island, Canada. He is dedicated to poetry, democracy, and living out his life in peace.

Sandy Lee Carlson is poet laureate emerita of Woodbury and a school teacher at Region20/Lakeview High School. She hosts the Orenaug Poetry Group on the second Saturday of each month in Woodbury. She and her husband run Orenaug Mountain Publishing. Find out more about Sandy and her poetry at sandycarlson.net. 

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

Come enhance your art skills with us! In this art lesson, youth (ages 11- 18) can come join us in the classroom to learn how to use charcoal as a medium and begin to practice with them. Students will practice blending and linework. Students with previous charcoal experience are also welcome to join and use this as a place to practice. All supplies provided.

Register Here

Cost:

Participants – $10

FREE for Waterbury Public School, Charter School, and Magnet School students. FREE for kids with a Kids Adventure Pass.

Interested in discounts, free admission, and more? Become a member today!

Support provided by Sponsored by American Savings Foundation, United Way of Greater Waterbury and Elisha Leavenworth Foundation.  

In honor of Earth Day we’ve invited Recycling consultant Terri Christensen back to update you on all the new ways to recycle and reduce waste in Harwinton – including the new Food Scrap collection program. Reducing what goes into our trash stream helps the environment – and saves our town money! Not sure whether to put something in the trash, the recycling bin, or the compost pile? Bring your questions to this free presentation. Registration is helpful but not required.

HOTCHKISS-FYLER HOUSE MUSEUM

Torrington Historical Society 

192 Main Street, Torrington, CT

2025 hours: Wednesday through Saturdays, April 16 - October 31, 2025

Guided tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm 

Phone: (860) 482-8260   info@torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Admission: Adults $10 per person; children under 8 free

The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum (b. 1900) will open for the season Wednesday April 16th. The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum is a Victorian mansion that was home to two generations of Torrington residents. Gertrude F. Hotchkiss, the last family member to occupy the home, bequeathed the house and contents to the Society in 1956.  The interior of this grand house features mahogany paneling, ornate carvings, stenciled walls, murals, parquet floors and ornamental plaster treatments. Original family furnishings collections of fine and decorative arts. Artists represented are: Ammi Phillips, E.I. Couse, Winfield Scott Clime and George Lawrence Nelson.

"Next to Normal" is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers around a mother, Diana Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the impact it has on her family. The musical addresses themes such as mental illness, grief, and the challenges of modern suburban life.

The narrative delves deep into Diana's attempts to balance her mental health with her family responsibilities, exploring the effects of her condition on her husband, Dan, and their children, Natalie and Gabe. The show is known for its powerful and emotional portrayal of these issues, offering a raw and honest look at the complexities of mental health and family dynamics.

"Next to Normal" premiered off-Broadway in 2008 before moving to Broadway in 2009. The winner of 3 Tony awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this critically acclaimed musical is not one to miss. Performances will be held April 25-27th at CT State Naugatuck Valley in the Ricci Playbox Theater.

Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admission.

Show contains mature themes that may not be suited for younger audiences.

Hear Kala Farnham, 18th Connecticut State Troubadour, as she crafts folk songs with roots and wings, weaving age-old truths into modern grooves. Listeners are invited into conversation with an intimate, fireside-style performance. With soul-stirring vocals and mystical folk harp, piano, and guitar, she draws audiences into a transcendent journey—one that lingers long after the final note fades.

Cost

$20.00 per General

$15.00 per Member

Sponsored by Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund

Please join us for the Artist Reception Saturday April 26. 3-6 pm .

more info at www.souterraingallery.net

About the Artist

Ken Krug is a fine artist, illustrator, and author. He illustrated Michele Obama’s book about the

White House Garden and wrote and illustrated the children’s book, No, Silly! which was on the

Bank Street College Best Books of 2016 list. His paintings have been exhibited in numerous art

shows and were featured on the set of the movie “You Can Count on Me.” Ken Krug is also an

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY

www.kenkrug.com

Ken spends much of his weekends , summers and other times with his wife Liz Van Doren in Cornwall where the family is deeply rooted .

The Gunn Museum is excited to announce After-Hours Trivia Night on Saturday April 26 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join us for an unforgettable After-Hours Trivia Night! Enjoy a night of friendly competition, laughter, and great company, all while snacking on delicious small bites and sipping refreshing soft drinks. Whether you’re a trivia master or just love a fun challenge, this event is for you! Sign up solo or gather your dream team. Bragging rights and some serious fun are guaranteed.

Suggested donation: $15 at the door, all proceeds go to support the Gunn Museum.

To register please visit www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar.

Following the success of our first event in 2024, we are excited to be celebrating "Arts Connected” again this spring, building on the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council's 22-year legacy of supporting and uplifting the region's arts community.

Join fellow creative changemakers for an unforgettable night of art, entertainment, food and drinks, and connection. Experience the creative spirit that makes our region unique while making a difference in the cultural life of Northwest CT!

This event is 21 & up and includes all entertainment, hors d'oeuvres by Executive Cuisine, an open bar sponsored by Litchfield Distillery and Kent Falls Brewing Co.

Dress code is creative cocktail attire!

Event Highlights: Featured performances by Pilobolus and Ysanne & the Lotus Blues | live art demonstrations | NW25 Gallery - a carefully curated gallery featuring local artists from across the region | great company | local food and drinks

Purchase your tickets today!

Special Thank You to our Sponsors!

Artist Sponsor:

• Antonia Steinberg

Presenting Sponsors:

• Torrington Savings Bank
• Valiant Energy Solutions

Champion Sponsors:

• William Raveis Lifestyles Realty
• Housatonic Heritage

Advocate Sponsor:

• Litchfield Magazine

Supporter Sponsors:

• ArtBank7
• Haney & Sons Tea
• Aquarion Water
• Lost Fox Inn
• George Home
• Washington Arts Association
• NKYV Rituals

Friends of the Arts:

• O&G Industries Inc
• Depot Dog Boutique
• YARDwork Coworking
• Fiduciam Financial
• J. Seitz & Co. 
• Northwest Community Bank

Food & Drink Sponsors:

• Litchfield Distillery

Come see the first exhibition of the New Hartford Artisans Guild. Multiple artist have come together to celebrate ate in various artistic styles.

Reception is April 5th 5-9pm.

Get ready to set sail for a night of smooth vibes and good times at the Warner Theatre’s Third Annual Yacht Rock shindig on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre!

After crushing it the past two years, this nautical extravaganza is making a splash again with live jams by Anchor Management, tasty themed cocktails, and a dance floor big enough to boogie the night away!

The party kicks off at 6 pm in the Studio Theatre Lobby. Anchor Management takes the stage at 7 pm for non-stop tunes and dance floor magic.

About Anchor Management: They’re your go-to crew for CT’s Yacht Rock experience! From the sweet sounds of the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s, think Christopher Cross, Boz Skaggs, Hall & Oates, and Michael McDonald. Get ready to sail away with hits like Ride Like The Wind, Sailing, Baker Street, Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl), Peg, Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Summer Breeze, and Running on Empty.

Women, Wine, & Wheel

Saturday, April 26 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!

pre-registration is required.

Can't make this one? Check our website for other dates.