Artbits-May 22, 2025

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Dick

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The first Franklin County Community Volunteering Fair has over 35 local organizations and clubs with a variety of opportunities. The free event is open to everyone. It’s a great opportunity. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on abstract artist Longina Smolinski. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Vermont Hills by Eric Tobin. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi and Swanton Rec host the return of the annual Memorial Day weekend Heritage Celebration with storytelling by Willow Greene, ash tree pounding by Jess LaRocque, hand drum candy dance, and more. The Vermont Humanities Speakers Bureau series continues with Meg Mott to discuss A Dramatic Constitution and the weekly Snapshot Series has Nisha Kommattam to discuss Kawaii Culture in Japan and Beyond. Read more…

THEATER

Fairfax Community Theater Company presents Bones, Trains, and Gloves – An Evening of One Acts in a four day run at the Brick Meeting House. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

The River Arts Mindful Art series has Exploring Identity Through Art with Jen Volansky. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Seth Yacovone (twice), McMaple (twice), Lucas Berard, Combustomatics, Blackwolf, Jim Charonko, the Hokum Brothers, John Geno, Nighthawk, Peter Prince and Moon Boot, Nate Michaud, the Lloyd Tyler Band, Bob Gagnon, Justice3, Jenny Red, Al’s Pals, Hard Scrabble, the Owl Stars play, Roger Giroux, Ryan Hanson, the Blue Rock Boys, Mark Shelton, Dan Parks, the Dave Keller Band, Dale and Darcy, the BFA Chorus, and Soulshine Revival with Phil Graziano all play live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue with the Maple Festival Youth Talent Show plus writer Walt McLaughlin. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group. Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour continues. The new Isle La Motte Rec Department book club begins with Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Cold Hollow to Canada welcomes Kenneth Cadow to read from and sign his novel Gather. The Bookmobile visits. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for the Floating Admiral by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton. The St. Albans Free Library Banned Books Group reads The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The Swanton Free Public Library remains closed for the heating and cooling system updates. Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 15, 2025

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Dick

Today is World Bird Migratory Day.

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on Deborah Shell. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Bird Song on the Columbine Trail, by Michael Glier. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Tipsy Daisy offers Paint & Plant at the Rail Trail Pub. The Dick Wright Pub hosts a Paint & Sip with Jordan Bushey. Read more…

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The 94th NVAA June Show is fast approaching. June Show artists will sit with the show and handle sales. Read more…

DANCE

MVU hosts the Electric Youth Dance Company Spring Recital in the Trahan Theater. The Dance at River Arts series continues with Steps across Styles with Taryn Noelle. Read more…

FILM

Zach Scheffler and Franklin County Film Club host a screening of No Other Land at the Welden. Maple Run has a community screening of Just Getting By by Vermont filmmaker Bess O’Brien at BFA-St. Albans. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Saint Albans Museum kicks 2025 into high gear with the Decades: Season Launch Party. Vermont Humanities continues the Reading & Discussion series with Seminal Statements of American Values plus the Snapshot Series with Ilan Stavans to discuss On Forgetting. Read more…

THEATER

The Depot hosts the Burlesque Act Development series with Doctor Vu. The workshop series guides performers through the essential elements of crafting a burlesque act. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more…

COVID NEWS

The Life Became Very Blurry podcast documents the day-to-day life of Vermonters from health care workers to families during the pandemic. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Vermont Blues Society, the Uncle Jimmy Duo, Sibling Reverie, IncaHoots, Moonbird, Bushey/Bedell, Jason Lee, Dee Davis, Michael Perry, the John Lackard Blues Band, Hammer Lane Highway, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, Barbie-n-Bones, Chris & Erica, 90 Proof, Jerborn, Swamp Frog, Dan & Sean Jarvis, the Smokey Newfield Project, the Shane Murley Band, O & Schu (Dave Ogrodowczyk and Mike Schuster), Blues without Borders, Jenny Red, Laura Fedele Rasco, Ethan Sawyer, Dave Miller, Tom Bisson, Vermont Up-Close Magic, All Without The Bass, Frevo, Tam Lantz all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Fairfax Community Library Silent Reading Party takes place. The Haston Library Book Discussion Group meets to discuss The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig. Stock the FCS book cart for summer vacation. The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour. Terry Lovelette signs his books at the Sheldon Historical Museum. The Eloquent Page hosts Stan Mayer to sign and talk about For Victims Who Survive. The St. Albans Free Library Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries discusses The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman. The Swanton Free Public Library will reopen on Tuesday. But I Progress takes up Bait and Switch The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream by Barbara Ehrenreich and the Romance Book Club discusses Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 8, 2025

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Dick

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

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Dick

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…

 

Posted in Art & Exhibitions, Art You Create, ArtBits, Benefit Events, Books, Comedy, Humanities, Music, News, Workshops | Comments Off on Artbits-May 1, 2025

Artbits-April 24, 2025

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Dick

“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…

 

Posted in Art & Exhibitions, ArtBits, Arts Councils, Benefit Events, Books, Calls, Comedy, Dance, Festivals, Film, Humanities, Music, Theater, Workshops, Writing | Comments Off on Artbits-April 24, 2025

Artbits-April 17, 2025

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Dick

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…

 

Posted in Art & Exhibitions, Art You Create, ArtBits, Arts Councils, Awards, Books, Calls, Film, Grants, Humanities, Meetups, Music, Workshops, Writing | Comments Off on Artbits-April 17, 2025