Event Types: Arts & Culture

Visit the latest exhibit at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Stairwell Gallery featuring Hilarie Johnson’s “Local Scenes & Still Life Studies” Exhibit from January 21 – March 4, 2023.

Hilarie is a longtime Washington resident, she says the beauty of this area keeps her happy and is inspires her work. This show includes several local landscapes, still life studies and portraits.

Not restricted to one type of portrait, she has had success creating portraits of adults, children, horses, dogs and more. However, the versatility of her subject matter extends from portrait to still life and landscape. She works in oils and watercolors but the one commonality is the length of time she spends on a painting. There are at least thirty layers of paint of which Hilarie says “time consuming but worth it.”

Her work has been featured on the cover of the international magazine The Chronicle of the Horse as well as Country and Abroad. She has been featured in articles about her work in The Horse in Art and The Litchfield County Times. For several years she was a record selling artist in the popular catalog, In the Company of Dogs which sold over 6000 giclee prints of her series “About to be Naughty”. She has received portrait commissions from coast to coast as well as Europe and the Caribbean.

Hilarie says, “I love to paint and I hope it shows.”

This month we will read Anxious People by Fredrick Backman. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove comes a charming, poignant novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined.

Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix their own marriage. There’s a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.

Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Rich with Fredrik Backman’s “pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature” (Shelf Awareness), Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope—the things that save us, even in the most anxious times.

The works of mixed media artist Theresa Bates will be on display at The Loft Gallery at The Smithy through January 31st. The Smithy Market is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday : 10am – 5pm.

About The Artist: Theresa Bates
My art-making is a process of taking in and letting go of energy and emotions.

Some pieces flow effortlessly, some are great struggles. Either way, my observations are little messages that speak to my spirit through beautiful colors and creative patterns. I allow them to have a voice creating a language all of it’s own for all to hear and see. My passion for art and love for nature started at a very young age. I would spend many hours exploring, collecting, and creating. This process stills rings true today. There are many inspirations. I may catch the shimmer of a dragonfly’s wings in flight, or see the patterns that the full moon makes on my old wood floor. It is like they’re whispering ” Hey look at me ”

Contact Information:
Theresa Bates
Website: theresabatesart.com
Instagram: @theresabatesart
Phone: (914) 645-9386

Carol Ruggiero belonged to a writing group in Milford, CT for over twenty years. Upon her passing, her devoted husband Albert Ruggiero felt her writing deserved a bigger audience so he published a collection of her work in Pearls from Carol. Join to hear about Carol’s life and her short, funny, and thought provoking stories, poems, and essays.

As Albert explains it, Carol enjoyed taking a serious topic and turning it on its head with a surprising ending. Though she suffered through many tragedies in her life, such as the loss of her children, “Carol always had a warm smile to share and an ear to lend to anyone who needed it. She was petite, pithy, and possessed a huge amount of common sense.” Albert took his love for his wife and turned it into a passion project to share her stories with the world.

Register here

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.

In-Person Workshop
Sunday, January 29th @ 1:00pm

Throughout the year, the IAIS Education Department frequently offers educational workshops on Sunday afternoons. Express your creativity while learning about the world around you and connecting with a culture that has thousands of years of history in this area. For thousands of years, many Native peoples have decorated clothing and items with materials found in nature, such as shell, stones, seeds and porcupine quills. In more recent centuries, multi-colored glass beads have become a favorite medium, as well. Join our stylish IAIS Educators for this wonderful winter workshop, in which participants will decorate their very own piece of jewelry incorporating these materials. With Valentine’s Day approaching, create a unique gift for a special someone, or keep it to rock out on yourself!

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please visit our website to register via Eventbrite. Questions? Please call (860) 868-0518 or email [email protected] Price of Participation: $5 for IAIS Members, $15 for Non-Members.

Byrde + the b the is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings by the contemporary abstract artist Matt Wood.

The artist states “I am often asked about what drives my work. To that I can only answer this – I have to create; it is like breathing for me. Art is how I interact with the world. My thoughts, my experiences, my reactions, and my hopes are all mediated through my canvas or my lens, and I find that for me it can’t be any other way. My art is a reflection of my life.” For additional information please contact Byrde the b 10 Titus Rd Washington, CT

860 619 0422
Matt Wood “Recent Paintings” Dec 10-Mar 4, 2023
Opening reception Saturday Dec 10 from 4:00-6:00pm
Hours Tues-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm
www.byrdeandtheb.com

WAA is passionate about arts education. Whether you are an experienced artist or a novice, WAA offers a range of opportunities for creative exploration. We provide a nurturing place for people of all ages to develop their skills and explore new artistic directions with classes in painting, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, and more.

Find the current classes here

Washington Art Association & Gallery is pleased to present our Annual Members’ Exhibition from Saturday, Jan 14 through Sunday, Feb 12, 2023.

Artur Matuszewski, owner and curator of amArtHouse in Bantam, CT will be judging the show which will include Ferguson Sherr~Rea Awards. Categories are: Painting – oil or acrylic on any substrate and watercolor; Works on paper – drawing, collage, prints, pastels; Sculpture – all 3 – dimensional work (includes ceramic); Photography – digital and darkroom.

Hours: Wed – Sat 10am to 5pm & Sun 12pm to 4pm

Visit the latest exhibit at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Stairwell Gallery featuring Hilarie Johnson’s “Local Scenes & Still Life Studies” Exhibit from January 21 – March 4, 2023.

Hilarie is a longtime Washington resident, she says the beauty of this area keeps her happy and is inspires her work. This show includes several local landscapes, still life studies and portraits.

Not restricted to one type of portrait, she has had success creating portraits of adults, children, horses, dogs and more. However, the versatility of her subject matter extends from portrait to still life and landscape. She works in oils and watercolors but the one commonality is the length of time she spends on a painting. There are at least thirty layers of paint of which Hilarie says “time consuming but worth it.”

Her work has been featured on the cover of the international magazine The Chronicle of the Horse as well as Country and Abroad. She has been featured in articles about her work in The Horse in Art and The Litchfield County Times. For several years she was a record selling artist in the popular catalog, In the Company of Dogs which sold over 6000 giclee prints of her series “About to be Naughty”. She has received portrait commissions from coast to coast as well as Europe and the Caribbean.

Hilarie says, “I love to paint and I hope it shows.”

Byrde + the b the is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings by the contemporary abstract artist Matt Wood.

The artist states “I am often asked about what drives my work. To that I can only answer this – I have to create; it is like breathing for me. Art is how I interact with the world. My thoughts, my experiences, my reactions, and my hopes are all mediated through my canvas or my lens, and I find that for me it can’t be any other way. My art is a reflection of my life.” For additional information please contact Byrde the b 10 Titus Rd Washington, CT

860 619 0422
Matt Wood “Recent Paintings” Dec 10-Mar 4, 2023
Opening reception Saturday Dec 10 from 4:00-6:00pm
Hours Tues-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm
www.byrdeandtheb.com

Washington Art Association & Gallery is pleased to present our Annual Members’ Exhibition from Saturday, Jan 14 through Sunday, Feb 12, 2023.

Artur Matuszewski, owner and curator of amArtHouse in Bantam, CT will be judging the show which will include Ferguson Sherr~Rea Awards. Categories are: Painting – oil or acrylic on any substrate and watercolor; Works on paper – drawing, collage, prints, pastels; Sculpture – all 3 – dimensional work (includes ceramic); Photography – digital and darkroom.

Hours: Wed – Sat 10am to 5pm & Sun 12pm to 4pm

Jim Howson, local resident and former educator and war reenactor will give a presentation on his many years teaching and reenacting aspects of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. For more than 37 years, Jim Howson taught middle school students important lessons from American history and brought those lessons to life with his background as a historical reenactor. Howson made the life of soldiers tangible to students by bringing clothing, muskets, uniforms and other artifacts into the classroom.

During this presentation, Jim will talk about his experiences both as a reenactor and as a teacher and the importance of teaching and learning our history in ways that touch our senses and our hearts. Jim will share some of the artifacts he used in his classroom along with photographs and items used during his time as a reenactor. Howson will also touch upon some of the lessons he taught his students and how those lessons resonate through history.

Register here

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.

The Gunn Memorial Library and Museum are excited to announce a February meeting of Washington History Club. Join us Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30pm in the Library’s Wykeman Room to discuss Washington: Then and Now. The evening’s conversation will be moderated by long-time Washington resident Dimitri Rimsky. Bring your stories or just come to listen!

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Click here for more information and to register

Local Peruvian Artist, Marisabel Artieda, will lead this paint night! Marisabel will teach color-blending techniques as we paint a vivid but simple winter scene. All materials will be provided by the library. This program is limited to 20 people so please register in advance to reserve a spot.

Marisabel Artieda was born in Lima, Peru and started drawing and painting at a very young age. She studied art and graphic design at The Institute of the Andes where she earned her BA degree. In 2001 she moved to Washington, Connecticut, where she joined the Washington Art Association and found the support network that she was looking for. Marisabel teaches painting classes for children at the Washington Art Association.

Saturday, February 11th @ 11:00 AM

As the days get warmer, but the nights remain cold, it’s the right condition for maple sugaring! Native Americans were the first people to use the gifts of the maple tree to produce maple syrup and sugar. As a precursor to our annual Maple Sugar Festival on March 11th, join the IAIS Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf for a sweet workshop in which participants will learn about how maple syrup production has changed over time, and how they can get started on their own. Topics and activities will include tree identification, different techniques for collecting and boiling sap, how to prepare for tree tapping season, and the impacts of climate change on maple syrup production. Tap into a sweet tradition by helping to make traditional sumac spiles. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Questions? Please call (860) 868-0518 or email [email protected].

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.

Washington Art Association & Gallery is pleased to present our Annual Members’ Exhibition from Saturday, Jan 14 through Sunday, Feb 12, 2023.

Artur Matuszewski, owner and curator of amArtHouse in Bantam, CT will be judging the show which will include Ferguson Sherr~Rea Awards. Categories are: Painting – oil or acrylic on any substrate and watercolor; Works on paper – drawing, collage, prints, pastels; Sculpture – all 3 – dimensional work (includes ceramic); Photography – digital and darkroom.

Hours: Wed – Sat 10am to 5pm & Sun 12pm to 4pm

Sunday, February 12th @ 1:00 PM

The hauntingly beautiful voice of these mystical instruments has intrigued music lovers and musicians for centuries; but why does the flute hold such importance in certain Native American cultures? Join Allan Madahbee (Ojibwe), artist and musician, for an interactive presentation. Allan will discuss the significance of the instrument, explain the legend of the courting flute, and will demonstrate the personal touch he provides for his handmade flutes. Participants will encounter a variety of flutes, examine their construction, and listen to the soothing sounds of these beautiful instruments. A limited selection of Allan’s flutes will be available for purchase. Already have a flute? Feel free to bring it along!

Register here

Questions? Please call (860) 868-0518 or email [email protected].

Tragedies seem so much part of daily life that many of us are fatigued, afraid, and depressed by what feels like a downward spiral that scatters hope like tumbleweed. Mass shootings. Climate change. Innocent lives lost to political, police, or domestic violence.

The inimitable apocalypse often seems to be stalking each one of us.

But even as it often feels that everything is getting worse, some find the resilience to stand on the precipice of disaster and marshal the hopes and dreams we still have to affect change and make life better, proving we should be more optimistic about our collective futures.

​In its next program, Common Ground with Jane Whitney will profile changemakers who are living proof that progress is possible – and is already happening all around us, even if most of us don’t acknowledge it. They will discuss how stories about disaster so often eclipse the inspirational, describe how they managed to change the world, and outline ways all of us can contribute to our communities and countries.

Register here

The Gunn Library and Museum’s History Book Club will meet on Monday February 13 at 1:00pm in the Library’s Field Room, we will be reading Nathaniel Philbricks’ Mayflower: Voyage, Community, War.

History Book Club is a new program of the Gunn Library and Museum meeting on the second Monday of the month at 1:00pm in the Field Room at the Gunn Memorial Library. Participants will read nonfiction books on American history and meet to discuss. Museum Curator Amy Campanaro will facilitate the discussion and place historical topics in local context when appropriate. Copies of this book are available at the front desk of the library. Registration for the meeting is requested.

A description of the book from www.nathanielphilbrick.com: “From the perilous ocean crossing to the shared bounty of the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrim settlement of New England has become enshrined as our most sacred national myth. Yet, as bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick reveals in his spellbinding new book, the true story of the Pilgrims is much more than the well-known tale of piety and sacrifice; it is a fifty-five-year epic that is at once tragic, heroic, exhilarating, and profound.”

If you have dreams of being a published author, it often feels like a daunting undertaking full of risk and no guarantees. Jan Kardys has 35 years of experience working with various high profile publishers and she will lead a two-hour workshop to teach aspiring authors what they need to know about how to get published.

Kardys has worked with Scholastic, Macmillan, and is the current president of the Black Hawk Literary Agency which has given her experience in editing, marketing, subsidiary rights, art, production and so much more. During this workshop, Kardys will give participants the information they need to take on the world of publishing.

Registration for this workshop is required.

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.

Visit the latest exhibit at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Stairwell Gallery featuring Hilarie Johnson’s “Local Scenes & Still Life Studies” Exhibit from January 21 – March 4, 2023.

Hilarie is a longtime Washington resident, she says the beauty of this area keeps her happy and is inspires her work. This show includes several local landscapes, still life studies and portraits.

Not restricted to one type of portrait, she has had success creating portraits of adults, children, horses, dogs and more. However, the versatility of her subject matter extends from portrait to still life and landscape. She works in oils and watercolors but the one commonality is the length of time she spends on a painting. There are at least thirty layers of paint of which Hilarie says “time consuming but worth it.”

Her work has been featured on the cover of the international magazine The Chronicle of the Horse as well as Country and Abroad. She has been featured in articles about her work in The Horse in Art and The Litchfield County Times. For several years she was a record selling artist in the popular catalog, In the Company of Dogs which sold over 6000 giclee prints of her series “About to be Naughty”. She has received portrait commissions from coast to coast as well as Europe and the Caribbean.

Hilarie says, “I love to paint and I hope it shows.”

Byrde + the b the is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings by the contemporary abstract artist Matt Wood.

The artist states “I am often asked about what drives my work. To that I can only answer this – I have to create; it is like breathing for me. Art is how I interact with the world. My thoughts, my experiences, my reactions, and my hopes are all mediated through my canvas or my lens, and I find that for me it can’t be any other way. My art is a reflection of my life.” For additional information please contact Byrde the b 10 Titus Rd Washington, CT

860 619 0422
Matt Wood “Recent Paintings” Dec 10-Mar 4, 2023
Opening reception Saturday Dec 10 from 4:00-6:00pm
Hours Tues-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm
www.byrdeandtheb.com

Visit the latest exhibit at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Stairwell Gallery featuring Hilarie Johnson’s “Local Scenes & Still Life Studies” Exhibit from January 21 – March 4, 2023.

Hilarie is a longtime Washington resident, she says the beauty of this area keeps her happy and is inspires her work. This show includes several local landscapes, still life studies and portraits.

Not restricted to one type of portrait, she has had success creating portraits of adults, children, horses, dogs and more. However, the versatility of her subject matter extends from portrait to still life and landscape. She works in oils and watercolors but the one commonality is the length of time she spends on a painting. There are at least thirty layers of paint of which Hilarie says “time consuming but worth it.”

Her work has been featured on the cover of the international magazine The Chronicle of the Horse as well as Country and Abroad. She has been featured in articles about her work in The Horse in Art and The Litchfield County Times. For several years she was a record selling artist in the popular catalog, In the Company of Dogs which sold over 6000 giclee prints of her series “About to be Naughty”. She has received portrait commissions from coast to coast as well as Europe and the Caribbean.

Hilarie says, “I love to paint and I hope it shows.”

Join the Hickory Stick Bookshop every Saturday at noon for a virtual story time (target age: 2-5) on Instagram Live.