Event Types: Arts & Culture

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

Learn more

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present “For the Love of Animals,” a stunning new exhibition by artist Caryn King. It will be displayed in the Stairwell Gallery from February 1st to March 29th, 2025. This collection of captivating animal paintings reflects King’s deep affection for the art of painting and the animal world.

Caryn King, a narrative painter, began her artistic journey with clay and spent 14 years as a sculptor. Along the way, she earned a BFA in Illustration, worked as a toy designer, and taught art. After transitioning back to painting, King found her authentic artistic voice and hasn’t looked back. “I used to say I would paint one day – if only I could figure out what to put on a blank canvas. Once I discovered that vision, I haven’t stopped painting since,” she shares.

Inspired by her love for animals, the exhibition features a series of animal portraits that highlight each creature’s beauty, texture, and soul. The emphasis on texture, which traces back to her early years as a clay artist, gives the paintings a dynamic and expressive quality that avoids sentimentality while capturing the peaceful essence of the animals. The collection offers a serene reflection on the animals’ grace and spirit, inviting viewers to experience a sense of tranquility often elusive in our fast-paced world.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the junction 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 [email protected].

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14th through April 6th.

This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.

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

The Washington Art Association will be hosting a Members Show from March 15 – April 26. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 4:00-6:00pm. There will be awards in four categories: works on paper, painting, photography & sculpture. Winners will be announced in the gallery.

March Virtual Book Club – A Council of Dolls
Wednesday, March 26, 7:00pm
Virtual Program Hosted by IAIS Staff on Zoom

Looking to expand your reading list and discuss a variety of issues and topics important to Native people? Please join our virtual book club, As They Speak: Native Voices in Today’s Literature. Based on a variety of topics and featuring a range of genres, all of the books we will be reading have been written by contemporary authors. This month, we will be reading and discussing A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power (Dakota). This novel follows the lives of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried: Sissy, born in 1961; Lillian, born 1925; and Cora, born in 1888. This quietly devastating, yet ultimately hopeful, novel shines a light on the echoing damage wrought by Indian boarding schools, and the historical massacres of Indigenous people. Join the conversation hosted by IAIS Staff on Zoom.

Note: Due to some of the topics this novel touches upon, this month’s book may trigger strong emotions in some readers.

In order to have a more intimate conversation, space is limited. Please register online to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Please call (860) 868 0518 or email [email protected]. This is a free event, but donations are appreciated. This event will NOT be recorded.

Register here

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present “For the Love of Animals,” a stunning new exhibition by artist Caryn King. It will be displayed in the Stairwell Gallery from February 1st to March 29th, 2025. This collection of captivating animal paintings reflects King’s deep affection for the art of painting and the animal world.

Caryn King, a narrative painter, began her artistic journey with clay and spent 14 years as a sculptor. Along the way, she earned a BFA in Illustration, worked as a toy designer, and taught art. After transitioning back to painting, King found her authentic artistic voice and hasn’t looked back. “I used to say I would paint one day – if only I could figure out what to put on a blank canvas. Once I discovered that vision, I haven’t stopped painting since,” she shares.

Inspired by her love for animals, the exhibition features a series of animal portraits that highlight each creature’s beauty, texture, and soul. The emphasis on texture, which traces back to her early years as a clay artist, gives the paintings a dynamic and expressive quality that avoids sentimentality while capturing the peaceful essence of the animals. The collection offers a serene reflection on the animals’ grace and spirit, inviting viewers to experience a sense of tranquility often elusive in our fast-paced world.

Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the junction 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 [email protected].

Visit our exhibit about the unique people, places and events that have shaped Washington’s rich history.

The Museum offers free guided tours every Saturday at 1:00 pm. Private tours and large group tours can be coordinated upon request. For scheduling or more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

Hours of Operation:
Thursdays/Fridays from 10am-4pm
Saturdays from 10am – 3pm
*Free Admission*

We are delighted to share these positive reviews of “Washington, Connecticut: An American Story”:

• Bill Hosley posted a review on the Creating Sense of Place for Connecticut Facebook page. Bill Hosley, is the former curator of the Wadsworth Atheneum and is still active in local history initiatives.
• Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s review was published in the Republican American. She is the Associate Features Editor and coordinates the newspaper’s visual arts and theater coverage. She has received national and regional awards for her arts criticism, commentary and news features.

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.

View current class offerings

In an immersive forest setting with no locks, keys or clocks, Wigwam Escape’s thematic puzzles challenge game players to hunt, find water and prepare food similar to how Native people did for thousands of years prior to European contact. The Institute for American Indian Studies, proudly presents a new way to interact with history, a themed escape room, Wigwam Escape.

For more information or to book your escape room, go to: wigwamescape.org.

ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work, and read their piece in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world. 2024 top selected works will be presented to the public and shared through ASAP!’s website. Submissions to the Celebration of Young Writers are free.

Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.

Learn more

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14th through April 6th.

This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.

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

The Washington Art Association will be hosting a Members Show from March 15 – April 26. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 4:00-6:00pm. There will be awards in four categories: works on paper, painting, photography & sculpture. Winners will be announced in the gallery.

Visit our exhibit about the unique people, places and events that have shaped Washington’s rich history.

The Museum offers free guided tours every Saturday at 1:00 pm. Private tours and large group tours can be coordinated upon request. For scheduling or more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

Hours of Operation:
Thursdays/Fridays from 10am-4pm
Saturdays from 10am – 3pm
*Free Admission*

We are delighted to share these positive reviews of “Washington, Connecticut: An American Story”:

• Bill Hosley posted a review on the Creating Sense of Place for Connecticut Facebook page. Bill Hosley, is the former curator of the Wadsworth Atheneum and is still active in local history initiatives.
• Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s review was published in the Republican American. She is the Associate Features Editor and coordinates the newspaper’s visual arts and theater coverage. She has received national and regional awards for her arts criticism, commentary and news features.

For the Love of Poetry – April 2025
Save the dates for this special month-long celebration featuring poetry events and community participation around Washington from April 1st – 30th.

April is National Poetry Month, and the Gunn Memorial Library and the Washington Business Association invite you to join us in celebrating poetry within our community throughout the month of April.

In addition to poetry events throughout the month, favorite poems will be chosen by community members and will be displayed in store windows and other prominent locations around town for everyone to enjoy!

More details to follow soon…

View all the town-wide events throughout the month here

Come to view the “Once Upon a Time” Exhibit by artist Nancy Lasar at the Loft Gallery at The Smithy Market beginning April 1st through June 30th, 2025. There will also be an opening for a chance to meet the artist on Saturday, April 5th from 2pm-4pm.

This event is part of Washington Restaurant Week 2025 – celebrating food and the arts from April 4th through the 13th!

“Whether in drawing, painting or printmaking, the process for me is about layering and energizing space in such a way that objects are fluid, interconnected and full of energy and movement. I try to use a variety of lines, marks and media to suggest both stasis and openness to possibility and transformation. As I attempt to describe the multiple realities which intermingle in memory, imagination and daily life, images emerge and diverge — reconfiguring in new relationships.”

Zemma’s artwork will be on display at The Hen’s Nest Gallery April 2-May 4. There will be an Opening Reception for Zemma Mastin White on Saturday, April 5th from 4-6pm.

Join The Pantry for Open Mic Night on the first Wednesday of each month! Dinner orders are from 5:30pm-6:00pm and readings start at 6:00pm.

Washington Restaurant Week 2025 – Savor Fine Food & The Arts

We are excited to announce Washington Restaurant Week 2025, an annual event celebrating food and the arts to take place in Washington, CT from April 4th through the 13th.

Experience the fabulous restaurants in Washington and New Preston, all offering special menus and arts events.

Be sure to follow Explore Washington CT on Instagram leading up to Restaurant Week to enter contests to win free dining experiences!

View Details, Menus & Arts Events

This event is brought to you by:

 . 

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, [email protected].

Hollister House Garden is thrilled to open its twentieth anniversary season with a special Barn Talk by noted author and garden designer Page Dickey.

Garden paths and focal points are more than mere features—they are tools that shape space, invite engagement, and frame the natural world in a way that feels intentional and inspiring. Using a variety of private gardens as examples, she will demonstrate how essential paths are in garden design, not only as practical features, but as a way of creating a sense of surprise and romance. From winding trails that invite exploration to more structured, axial routes that impart order and formality, learn how to use paths to complement your landscape’s unique character. Discover the importance of axes and the delight of focal points that catch the eye and anchor the composition of your garden.

After the lecture, you are invited to take a special first-look at the pre-season garden to see these design features in action.

Come to view the “Once Upon a Time” Exhibit by artist Nancy Lasar at the Loft Gallery at The Smithy Market beginning April 1st through June 30th, 2025. There will also be an opening for a chance to meet the artist on Saturday, April 5th from 2pm-4pm.

This event is part of Washington Restaurant Week 2025 – celebrating food and the arts from April 4th through the 13th!

“Whether in drawing, painting or printmaking, the process for me is about layering and energizing space in such a way that objects are fluid, interconnected and full of energy and movement. I try to use a variety of lines, marks and media to suggest both stasis and openness to possibility and transformation. As I attempt to describe the multiple realities which intermingle in memory, imagination and daily life, images emerge and diverge — reconfiguring in new relationships.”

A reception for local artist Zemma Mastin White. Zemma’s work honors structure and color composition thus giving our imagination a wonderful space to roam and be curious.

Learn more

Immerse Yourself in French Culture with an Hour of French Conversation at the Gunn Memorial Library

The Gunn Memorial Library invites intermediate and fluent French speakers to join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation. Over the hour, participants will read articles extracted from French magazines, covering cultural topics and current events. Guided conversations will encourage lively exchanges, helping participants refine their French while deepening their appreciation for Francophone culture.

This program is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Francophiles, share perspectives, and experience the richness of the French language in a welcoming environment.
Join us for a meaningful cultural and linguistic experience! Register at gunnlibrary.org or call 860-868-7586

Join us for an educational and entertaining exploration of one of the most complex literary works of all time, James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. In this engaging presentation, we will delve into a fascinating section of the text, from page 300 to the top of page 302 (Book II chapter II of the volume), within the chapter titled “The Study Hour.”
The scene unfolds in the inn of the main character, HCE, where he drinks with his customers while his children—twins Shem and Sean and daughter Issy—study upstairs. Their lessons, brimming with humor and wit, touch upon the great scholarly pursuits of humanity: astronomy, mathematics, reincarnation, political progress, the philosopher’s stone, and more. Through Shem’s playful storytelling, these lessons are delivered with a quintessentially Irish blend of intellect and humor.

The discussion will highlight how Shem and Sean transform into planets while their audience becomes fixed stars, creating a cosmic metaphor that intertwines humor with historical and philosophical insight. We will also explore Sean’s mathematical endeavors, his use of trigonometry and quaternions, and his application of historical figures such as the Earl of Godolphin to navigate the complex legacy of Cromwell and its impact on Ireland. This presentation promises to entertain, educate, and inspire participants to embrace the light of Joyce’s genius. Attendees will perhaps see Finnegans Wake in a new and illuminating way.

Open your mind to the brilliance of James Joyce and join us for this thought-provoking journey through Finnegans Wake. John O’Connor has lectured on this book for about twenty-five years and finds it edifying, inspiring, profound, and sometimes frustrating. John has a B.A. from Bucknell University in English literature. He explains, “Some say philosophy is discovering what isn’t in the Wake. But as Joyce liked to say in risu veritas – in laughter there is truth. The Wake is world history in the abstract written in puns and at least sixty-six languages. I have deciphered some of it, and I like to share what I’ve found with others.”

Register here

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 Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to welcome back award-winning author Ann Hood, editor of “Life’s Short, Talk Fast: Fifteen Writers on Why We Can’t Stop Watching Gilmore Girls”. Ann, along with two of the other authors of the book, will be here signing copies of “Life’s Short, Talk Fast” and talking to Gilmore Girls fans about everything Gilmore on Saturday, April 12th 10th from 2 – 4 pm.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fifteen leading writers explore what Gilmore Girls means to them in this delightful celebration of a contemporary TV classic.

Fast-talking, warm-hearted, and endlessly rewatchable, Gilmore Girls has bonded real-life mothers and daughters since 2000, when its iconic pilot introduced us to Lorelai, Rory, and their idyllic Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. More than twenty years later, it has become one of the most streamed TV shows, ever.

In an anthology as intimate and quick-witted as Gilmore Girls itself, best-selling author Ann Hood invites fifteen writers to investigate their personal relationships to the show. (“It’s a show? It’s a lifestyle. It’s a religion.”) Joanna Rakoff considers how Emily Gilmore helped her understand her own mother; Sanjena Sathian sees herself–and Asian American defiance–in Lane Kim; Freya North connects with her son through the show; Francesco Sedita discovers an antidote to pandemic loneliness; Nina de Gramont offers a comic ode to the unreality of Stars Hollow. For anyone who identifies as Team Logan, Team Jess, or even Team Dean, “Life’s Short, Talk Fast” reveals what Gilmore Girls tells us about ourselves–and why it matters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann Hood is the author of more than a dozen books of memoir and fiction, including the best-selling novels The Book That Matters Most, The Red Thread, and The Knitting Circle. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and New York.

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve signed copies of “Life’s Short, Talk Fast” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.

Get ready for a thought-provoking, boundary-breaking performance as the Connecticut Theater Exchange performs a reading of “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck at the park.

This hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play traces the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

Registration for this free event is required due to limited seating.

Get ready for a thought-provoking, boundary-breaking performance as the Connecticut Theater Exchange performs a reading of “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck at the park.

This hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play traces the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

Registration for this free event is required due to limited seating.

The third Wednesday of each month is Open Mic at The Hen’s Nest Gallery.

All are welcome to join Open Mic Night at The Hen’s Nest! Read a poem, tell a story, sing, play an instrument, do a magic trick. People share and listen. It is a fun evening of the unexpected and spontaneous.

Centennial Virtual Speaker Series – Archaeological History of Washington

We will discuss the early archaeological history of the Washington, Shepaug, and Lake Waramaug area, covering approximately 12,000 years. This presentation will span from the Paleo period through the Archaic and into the Late Woodland periods, focusing on artifacts and information discovered to date, along with ongoing and future research.

Craig Nelson is an avocational archaeologist who grew up in the area and has been working in the archaeological field since junior high school. He is an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, where he teaches an archaeological field school and serves as the Chairman of the Board at the Institute for American Indian Studies, where he Chairs the Collections Committee. Additionally, he oversees archaeological digs for the Litchfield Hills Archaeological Club and belongs to several professional organizations.

Steep Rock’s Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsors Arbor Services of CT and Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

The Gunn Memorial Library invites gardening enthusiasts and curious beginners to a special Master Gardening Program Presentation and Q&A. This informative and interactive program features a 20-30 minute presentation covering the ins and outs of the Master Gardening program, including how the classes work, who they are designed for, and what participants can expect to gain from the experience.

In addition to learning about the Master Gardening program, attendees will receive helpful tips on gardening basics and garden planning. There will also be time for questions and discussion as the schedule allows.

Guests can also ask a certified Master Gardener all their burning botanical questions. Whether you’ve been wondering why your tomatoes didn’t thrive last season, what to plant in that stubborn bare patch in your yard, or how to get started with a pollinator garden, this is the perfect space to get expert advice. Come with your queries, curiosity, and love of plants — and leave with practical knowledge, inspiration, and maybe even a new gardening project in mind!

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore the world of plants, we welcome everyone to attend!

Biography:
As the Master Gardener Coordinator for Litchfield County, Zachary Bull uses his scientific background to guide adults in learning how to garden, build community, manage volunteers, and get folks excited about gardening. With a long gardening history, starting with his father’s involvement in the Master Gardener program, Zachary is particularly interested in issues involving food (in)security and native ecosystems. He has several raised beds in his backyard from which he grows much of his produce, including corn, peas, tomatoes, onions, and more. He has also planted an extensive native selection at several of the gardens he helps to manage. Zachary enjoys the community he found as a Master Gardener and would like to help you all find that same sense of fun and belonging in the garden.

Hollister House Garden provides us with an abundance of beautiful trees as subjects for this enjoyable watercolor journaling workshop. Venture out into the garden with botanical illustrator Betsy Rogers-Knox to practice close observation skills and as you learn to draw different tree trunks, barks, branches and buds. Then return to the barn for step-by-step watercolor lessons. All skill levels are welcome, beginners are encouraged to join!

Bring a bag lunch. Water and snacks provided.

Required Materials: Journal and pen, $30, are required for all new garden journaling students and should be purchased with your reservation. If you participated in a Hollister House Garden journaling workshop previously and wish to use the journal and pen you previously purchased, please be sure to bring them to class.

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.

Register here

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.

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.

Sunday April 27th at 3.00 pm

Author Lisa Taddeo will be interviewing Graydon Carter about his new book “When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines.” Carter’s memoir revives the glamorous heyday of print magazines when they were at the vanguard of American culture. The discussion will be followed by a book signing.

This event will take place at The Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens, across the street from Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Come to view the “Once Upon a Time” Exhibit by artist Nancy Lasar at the Loft Gallery at The Smithy Market beginning April 1st through June 30th, 2025. There will also be an opening for a chance to meet the artist on Saturday, April 5th from 2pm-4pm.

This event is part of Washington Restaurant Week 2025 – celebrating food and the arts from April 4th through the 13th!

“Whether in drawing, painting or printmaking, the process for me is about layering and energizing space in such a way that objects are fluid, interconnected and full of energy and movement. I try to use a variety of lines, marks and media to suggest both stasis and openness to possibility and transformation. As I attempt to describe the multiple realities which intermingle in memory, imagination and daily life, images emerge and diverge — reconfiguring in new relationships.”

Zemma’s artwork will be on display at The Hen’s Nest Gallery April 2-May 4. There will be an Opening Reception for Zemma Mastin White on Saturday, April 5th from 4-6pm.

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, [email protected].

Join The Pantry for Open Mic Night on the first Wednesday of each month! Dinner orders are from 5:30pm-6:00pm and readings start at 6:00pm.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to welcome back NY Times bestselling author and perennial fan favorite Marie Bostwick who will be signing copies of her new book “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” on Saturday, May 10th at 3 pm.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Margaret Ryan never really meant to start a book club . . . or a feminist revolution in her buttoned-up suburb. By 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan is living the American woman’s dream. She has a husband, three children, a station wagon, and a home in Concordia–one of Northern Virginia’s most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. She has a standing invitation to the neighborhood coffee klatch, and now, thanks to her husband, a new subscription to A Woman’s Place–a magazine that tells housewives like Margaret exactly who to be and what to buy. On paper, she has it all. So why doesn’t that feel like enough?

Margaret is thrown for a loop when she first meets Charlotte Gustafson, Concordia’s newest and most intriguing resident. As an excuse to be in the mysterious Charlotte’s orbit, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites two other neighborhood women–Bitsy and Viv–to the inaugural meeting. As the women share secrets, cocktails, and their honest reactions to the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, they begin to discover that the American dream they’d been sold isn’t all roses and sunshine–and that their secret longing for more is something they share. Nicknaming themselves the Bettys, after Betty Friedan, these four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments–and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.

“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” is a humorous, thought provoking, and nostalgic romp through one pivotal and tumultuous American year–as well as an ode to self-discovery, persistence, and the power of sisterhood.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When not curled up with a good book, Marie Bostwick can usually be found in her office, trying to write one. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nineteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction, Marie’s books are beloved by readers across the globe.

Drawing on her lifelong love of quilting and her unshakable belief in the power of sisterhood, Marie’s popular Cobbled Court Quilt series has been embraced by quilters and non-sewers alike. Her standalone books have also found a passionate following among lovers of women’s fiction. Marie’s novel, “The Second Sister” was adapted into the 2018 Hallmark Hall of Fame feature film “Christmas Everlasting”, starring Patti LaBelle. Marie’s novel, “Hope on the Inside”, was published in March 2019 and was chosen as a Reader’s Digest “Select Editions” book. Marie’s books have been published in fourteen different languages.

Marie lives in Washington state with her husband and a beautiful but moderately spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“This is a novel about ambitious women and the mentors that inspired them to excellence . . . Bostwick carves an unforgettable path for her characters.”–Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

“In The Book Club for Troublesome Women, the talented Marie Bostwick says this, ‘Acquaintances abound, but true friendships are rare and worth waiting for, ‘ capturing the essence, and the heart, of this story. If you love stories about friendships, strong women, the 60s, and the power of the written word, this is the book for you.”–Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, author of Every Moment Since

“Bostwick’s latest is ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry, Kristin Hannah’s The Women, or Kate Quinn’s The Briar Club, which explore the historical roles of women and the challenges they faced within a society structured to define and limit their roles in and out of the home.’–Library Journal Starred Review

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve signed copies of “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.

The third Wednesday of each month is Open Mic at The Hen’s Nest Gallery.

All are welcome to join Open Mic Night at The Hen’s Nest! Read a poem, tell a story, sing, play an instrument, do a magic trick. People share and listen. It is a fun evening of the unexpected and spontaneous.

Save the date to join us for a joyful community-centered fundraising event featuring our annual Celebration of Young Writers and Youth Ensemble Concert. More details coming soon via asapct.org.

In an immersive forest setting with no locks, keys or clocks, Wigwam Escape’s thematic puzzles challenge game players to hunt, find water and prepare food similar to how Native people did for thousands of years prior to European contact. The Institute for American Indian Studies, proudly presents a new way to interact with history, a themed escape room, Wigwam Escape.

For more information or to book your escape room, go to: wigwamescape.org.

Come to view the “Once Upon a Time” Exhibit by artist Nancy Lasar at the Loft Gallery at The Smithy Market beginning April 1st through June 30th, 2025. There will also be an opening for a chance to meet the artist on Saturday, April 5th from 2pm-4pm.

This event is part of Washington Restaurant Week 2025 – celebrating food and the arts from April 4th through the 13th!

“Whether in drawing, painting or printmaking, the process for me is about layering and energizing space in such a way that objects are fluid, interconnected and full of energy and movement. I try to use a variety of lines, marks and media to suggest both stasis and openness to possibility and transformation. As I attempt to describe the multiple realities which intermingle in memory, imagination and daily life, images emerge and diverge — reconfiguring in new relationships.”

Join The Pantry for Open Mic Night on the first Wednesday of each month! Dinner orders are from 5:30pm-6:00pm and readings start at 6:00pm.

Save the date for Pilobolus’s Annual Ball on June 7th, 2025, which supports new collaborations and educational programs in the coming years. Details forthcoming!

In June, Hollister House Garden’s peonies become star attractions.

Venture out to the garden with watercolor instructor Betsy Rogers-Knox to take a detailed look at the exquisite ‘Mrs Franklin D. Roosevelt’ awarded the American Peony Society’s Gold Medal in 1948. Then return to the barn for a step-by-step watercolor class and learn how to use layered washes of color to capture the beautiful pastel shades of this peony. A simple template will be provided for those who prefer not to draw their own. All skill levels are welcome and personal instruction will be provided. Class size limited to 12.

HHG Members $90

Non-members $120

The third Wednesday of each month is Open Mic at The Hen’s Nest Gallery.

All are welcome to join Open Mic Night at The Hen’s Nest! Read a poem, tell a story, sing, play an instrument, do a magic trick. People share and listen. It is a fun evening of the unexpected and spontaneous.

Washington’s Community Block Party is happening on Friday, June 20th from 5:30pm-8:00pm in the Depot! Join us for summer’s big kick-off featuring live music, outdoor games, food samples, wine tastings, an outdoor movie, and more. This event is sponsored by the Washington Business Association and Washington Parks and Recreation.