Artbits-May 8, 2025

BUSY WEEKEND in SAINT ALBANS

Northwest Farmers Market starts a new season. Kingman Fest is the annual, free, outdoor block party. Read more

ART ON THE WALLS

The Maple Run Unified School District Art Show fills Collins Perley. A special reception introduces the teachers and celebrates artworks. The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on the Fish n’ Charts of Susannah Sakal. The temporary water situation has been repaired and the gallery is open. Read more

ART YOU CREATE

The Paint Your Pet Portrait paint n sip with Linda Oakes Carvalho returns to 14th Star. Bent Northrop Memorial Library hosts Hearthside Handcrafts. The Milton Artists Guild offers two sessions of a Paint and Snack with Sylvia Oblak. Dick Wright Pub hosts Lasting Memory Flower Preservation. The low-key Bryan Memorial Gallery Sketch & Sip returns. Read more

CALL FOR THESPIANS

Grab your pixie dust, warm up those vocals, and get ready to soar as the Opera House at Enosburg Falls has a casting call for Peter Pan. Read more

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

The fourth annual Kingman Fest closes off the street for a free outdoor block party with live music, food & drinks, family activities, business showcases, swag, and more The Young Tradition Festival celebrates music and dance with a Potluck and Dance Party, showcases, workshops, and a concert. Read more

FILM

It is Classic Movie Night (and Matinee!) with Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, and Elizabeth Hartman in A Patch of Blue. There is a special film screening of Can’t Look Away: the Case Against Social Media. Read more

HUMANITIES

The Snapshot Series offers Smithsonian Senior Curator Eleanor Jones Harvey to discuss Alexander von Humboldt and American Democracy. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts drop-in Still Life Sketch Sessions. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

Comedy Night, Meredith Gordon, Max Palmer, Maggie Phelan, Jeremy Rayburn, Suzan Ambrose. Vacsean, She Was Right, Jonny Mop, Last Kid Picked, NightHawk, Jacob Green, Coane Rowell & Schabner, the Pet Project, Cooper, Bob Recupero, Cooie Sings, 90 Proof, George Murtie, Tam Lantz all perform live at a venue near you. Read more

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Stuck in Vermont filmed the Library on Wheels when the Johnson Public Library moved half a mile to higher ground. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour. The Eloquent Page welcomes Trish Esden for the release of Whisper of Treasure and Lies. The Swanton Free Public Library remains closed until May 19. Read more

 

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Artbits-May 1, 2025

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence Gallery features Colleen Blatchly, Rebecca Chomyn, Toby Fulwiler, and Holly Spier with a live reception at the gallery. Bryan Memorial Gallery has pastel drawings by Marilyn Ruseckas in New Visions. Read more

ART YOU CREATE

14th Star and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop. The Swanton Arts Council sponsors Cardmaking with Barb in the Methodist Church. Read more

HUMANITIES

Vermont Humanities continues the Snapshot Series with Elizabeth A.I. Powell to discuss Louise Glück: Vermont’s Nobel Laureate. Mark Timney explores Sorting the News from the Chaff at Morristown Centennial Library. Read more

MAGIC

Magic is a performance art as well as a personal space. Moonshadows Gifts for the Spirit hosts Magic & Moonlight. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Bryan Memorial Gallery has a Multimedia Collages workshop with Alyssa DeLaBruere. The River Arts May Open Studio Figure Drawing offers a full nude session. Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts Birch Bark Basketry with Elliot Cluba. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

The Monday Night Improv Comedy Jam, Tam Lantz, David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose and Larry Vigneault, Paden Kalinen Full Music, Dan Parks, the Shane Murley Band, Sticks and Stones, Magnetic Horse, Jolly Roger, Sibling Reverie, Sister Speak, Will Austin, Carolyn Enger, Resonating Earth, Elliott Forrest, Myles Aronowitz, J Henry Fair, Jonny Mop, Tyler Mast all appear live at a venue near you. Read more

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

The Vermont Mandolin Trio with Jamie Maisfield, Matt Flinner, Will Patton, and Pat Melvin. the Vermont Maple Festival Parade, and Mark Shelton are all on stage online. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour continues at the Highgate Library and Community Center. The Swanton Free Public Library will be closed for updates but activities and services continue. Read more

 

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Artbits-April 24, 2025

“VERMONT MAPLE BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER”

The 58th edition of the Vermont Maple Festival brings a bucketful of events for the first (and sweetest) outdoor festival of the year. It happens in downtown St. Albans. The Festival is full of maple goodies and free entertainment for all ages. The Maple Festival Parade stretches for miles. There is a Sappy Art Show plus the Amateur Photo Contest. The best maple display, Maple Cooking Contest, Best Maple Menu, and Vermont Maple Beverage Tasting. The Craft & Specialty Food Show has live entertainment. The Masonic Lodge Craft Food & Fair supports a grant program. There is Creative Chainsaw Art and Paint and Sap. The Antique Show is free The St. Albans Museum presents a SAM Americana Sampler and hosts an Open House. The free Teen Fest takes over St. Albans City Hall. Taylor Park is packed with events and Grade A Music and Entertainment. Read more

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Sarah Rosedahl. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Mt. Washington in Spring by Erik Koeppel. Read more

CALL FOR SINGERS

The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse the Battle Hymn of the Republic for Franklin Memorial Day. Read more

CORRECTIONS

We goofed. Read more

FILM

The City Belonging, Equity and Inclusion Committee presents a free showing of Recovery City at the Welden. Read more

HUMANITIES

Bill Lippert discusses 25 Years Since Civil Unions: Lessons Learned for Snapshot. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Milton Artists’ Guild has Patrick McAllister for the April Live Model Figure Drawing Class, Sylvia Oblak for the Spring Watercolor Workshop, and Social Sunday continues. Read more

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council free Art Journaling Group meets at the Methodist Church for artists, writers, scrap bookers, and more. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

Dave, D and Cookie, O’hAnleigh Cindy Hill & Tom Hanley, Pipsqueak the Clown, Chris Staples, Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate, Joe What a Guy, Kevin Herchen, Conniption Fits, Youth Talent Show, the Electric Youth Dance Company, April Cushman, Dan Fontaine and the Memphis Sun Mafia Band, the Fiddler’s Variety Show, Maddi Ryan, the Young Tradition Touring Group, Seth Yacovone, A House on Fire, Justice3, McMaple, Jerborn, Nickel and Dime, Before this Time, the Jeff Salisbury Band, Switchel, Kippincoe, the Blue Rock Boys, Stewart Foster, Heavy Pour, Bobbie & Nate, Quadra, 90 Proof, the Maple Grove Band, and Tam Lantz all appear live on the Main Street Stage or at other venues near you. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Fairfax Book Club will discuss The Editor by Sara B. Franklin. Archer Mayor will speak and sign books at the Bent Northrop Memorial Library. Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group. Highgate’s Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour continues. Terry Lovelette will sign In Praise of Eagle Mountain at the Eloquent Page. The Swanton Free Public Library will be closed to update the heating and cooling system. Read more

 

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Artbits-April 17, 2025

SEVEN DAYSIES

Round #1 to nominate your favorite businesses, people, and places is open. The Vermont Community Foundation has a $10,000 grant for the Best Nonprofit. Read more

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on multiple media artist Sharon Ratner. Bryan Memorial Gallery features a new oil by Eric Tobin. Art on the Refuge will include a plein air painting demonstration with Corliss Blakely. Read more

ART FOR SALE

The first Mud Season Hand Made Market takes over the MVU Gym with 60 illustrators, photographers, potters, painters, woodworkers, and more. Read more

ART YOU CREATE

The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts a Rain Boots Paint and Sip with Sylvia Oblak. Read more

CALL FOR SINGERS

The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse the Battle Hymn of the Republic for Franklin Memorial Day. Read more

FILM

Saint Pauls UMC hosts Good Friday Pizza & Movie Night with Heaven Is For Real. Read more

HUMANITIES

Fairfield Center School and the Abbey Group host the annual Project Sweet Talk with breakfast and an exploration of projects. The Eloquent Page and the Saint Albans Museum’s SAM Talks host Ira Allen: A Hard Founding Father to Love with historian J. Kevin Graffagnino. Vermont Humanities has Kerstin Lange traveling the Phantom Border: A Personal Reconnaissance of Contemporary Germany. Northwest Access TV broadcasts Kathy Benoit discussing NOTCH Committed to Health & Community. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Northwest Vermont Solid Waste District reprises its Papermaking Workshop at the Montgomery Center for the Arts. Social Sunday continues at the MAG. They also offer Understanding Your Business Finances with Doug Emery and Jack McSweeney. Read more

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council Writers’ Group meets in person to share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose, Larry Vigneault, Jerborn and Jaden, the Stragglers, David Miller, Sanctuary, Sibling Reverie, Bad Horsey, the Hitmen, Bare Bones, the Smokey Newhouse Project, Bob and Mona, the Phillip Hyjek Trio, Jesse Agan, Laura Fedele-Rasco, Acoustic Mayhem, the Tenderbellies, Forest Station, and the Young Tradition Touring Group all perform live at a venue near you. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group. The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour, Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries discusses Counterfeit by Kirsten Chen, The SPL Book Club discusses The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Read more

 

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Artbits-April 10, 2025

THEATER

MVU presents Once Upon a Mattress in the Trahan Theater. BFA-Fairfax Drama and BFA-St. Albans compete in the Vermont States Drama Festival at BFAPAC. Read more

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on artist and musician Patrick Murphy. Read more

ART YOU CREATE

River Arts hosts Winging It: Embracing Personal Expression with Jen Volansky. Sparky’s has a Highland Cow Paint & Sip with Art by Anna Lena. The Swanton Arts Council hosts Glass Etching with Barb in the Swanton Free Public Library. The Bryan Memorial Gallery inaugurates a spring Sketch & Sip. Read more

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Creative heART seeks works by Vermont Abenaki citizens for Cultural Reclamation: Struggles of an Indigenous Identity, an exhibit at the Missisquoi Abenaki Heritage Celebration. Read more

FILM

It is Classic Movie Night (and Matinee!) at the St. Albans Free Library with Harrison Ford as The Fugitive. The Endless Chain will be a documentary exploration into Pete Sutherland’s life. Mark Sustic wrote, “The production team is working hard to ensure the film is worthy of Pete’s trust. Read more

HUMANITIES

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents Susan Kuecker to discuss Forgotten Heroes: Vermont Regiments at the October 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek. The Arrowhead Senior Center hosts a Local Historical Society and Museum Showcase. Local history also comes alive at Bent Northrop Memorial Library as Jason Barney and Christine Eldred discuss the Hidden History of Lake Champlain. The Vermont Humanities Snapshot Series has Stephanie Yu to discuss Vermont School Funding: Equity and Affordability. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Molly of Brick House Vermont leads a class in Needle Felting at Snow Farm Vineyard. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting at the Swanton Free Public Library. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

Jerborn (twice), Michael Kerry, Dead Sessions Lite, Evan Jennison and Matt Schrag, Seth Yacovone, Long Gone John, Jim Charonko, Dan Parks, the Duel, Chris and Erica, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, WD-40, the Lloyd Tyler Band, Mirage, Jacob Green, the Buck Hollers, the Stragglers, the Smokey Newfield Project, Ethan Sawyer, Phil Graziano, Troy Millette and the Fire Below, Barbie N Bones all perform live at a venue near you. Read more

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue. NW Access TV broadcast the Richford Hometown Follies. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is the star of Stuck in Vermont. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Bent Northrop Memorial Library hosts Fireside Fiber Arts. The Haston Library Book Group discusses The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour. R J Batchelor signs Lost Tsar of Russia as well as Lost King of England at the Eloquent Page. The St. Albans Free Library Banned Books Group discusses George Orwell’s 1984. The Milton Artists Guild and the Vermont Cantonese Club reads The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin. The monthly But I Progress book club takes up Nickel and Dimed–On Not Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. Read more

 

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Artbits-April 3, 2025

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence features Courtney Adams, Jennifer Buckner, Patrick Murphy, and Anne Standish with a live reception at the gallery. The Franklin County Quilt Show fills St Albans City Hall. Read more

ART YOU CREATE

Snow Farm Vineyard and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop. The Swanton Arts Council offers Cardmaking with Barb at the Swanton Free Public Library. Read more

HUMANITIES

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute examines The Impact of Climate Change on String Instrument Building Now and The Next 60 Years with Kathleen Reilly. Vermont Humanities continues the Snapshot Series with Julie Pellissier-Lush to relate her Mi’kmaq Creation Stories with Poetry and Song. Read more

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Corrina Thurston leads Make Earrings in Colored Pencil on Wood and Social Sunday continues at Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center. Bryan Memorial Gallery begins Landscapes in Watercolors workshop with Gary Eckhart. Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts a Mug Painting Fundraiser. Alex Foltz has concluded Season 2 of Foltz Studio, the series of outdoor oil painting lessons. Read more

ON STAGE LIVE

The Vermont Blues Society, the Seth Yacovone Band, CombustOmatics, She Was Right, the Rough Suspects, the Dirty Looks, Kyle Stevens, Amerikana Blue. Ryan Hanson, Sister Speak, Bad Horsey, Nathan Michaud, Shiny New Toyz with Reign Havoc and Sabre Hound, Tenderbellies, and Nobby Reed all perform live at a venue near you. Read more

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book Discussion Group meets for Orbital: a Novel by Samantha Harvey. Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour. The St. Albans Free Library Books Group discusses This Is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher. Read more

 

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