Greater New Haven Regional Arts Calendar

Explore the creative possibilities of clay by shaping and molding it into one-of-a-kind works of art.

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Each week, young artists will create a specific project including bowls, animal figurines, and masks. Our team will fire each clay masterpiece and they will all be ready to take home by the end of the class. Some pieces will also be glazed by the students and fired a second time, resulting in beautifully colored pieces.

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Clay can spark imagination, encourage children to think creatively and express themselves in new ways. It can also help young people develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and emotional expression through hands-on activities.

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Perfect for budding artists and future ceramicists, this is more than just a creative experience—it’s the beginning of a handmade collection to be proud of!

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.

​

 Toni Dove , internationally known innovator in the field of emerging technology and pioneer of interactive cinema presents Sunjammer 6: A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze. This innovative fusion of sculpture, game, cinema, and performance invites viewers into a poetic and dreamlike experience. An AI driven instrument tells the story of Hypatia, a Hellenistic astronomer and philosopher, who returns as a ghost ten years in our future and encounters a NASA engineer building an off-world power station. They connect across time using mathematics and physics. The core of Hypatia is a hybrid AI that interacts with viewer-operators, creating the illusion of a complex personality. Set in the Schwarzman Center’s iconic Dome, by day the work engages audiences in a dynamic narrative installation activated by their movements, making them part of the story. A longer narrative version is performed by dancer/operators for two evening events.  January 5-15, 2026.

​

"In all the conversations surrounding virtual space and meatspace, what could be more relevant?"

​

Art News - Barbara MacAdam

​

Amelia Heintzelman moves the Solar System. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

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Amelia Heinztelman with Kepler. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Meet the Artist:

​

Toni Dove

​

"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."

​

Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate

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A relaxed, all-levels class for anyone interested in working with clay. Beginners will learn the basics of wheel throwing and hand building, while returning students can continue building skills or explore larger, more advanced projects. Enjoy supportive instruction and plenty of time to practice. Come make what inspires you and grow at your own pace.

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Wear clothes that can get messy.

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Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27 and firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash, or check.

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Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis and you are encouraged to take advantage of this.

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New students will learn blending and layering techniques required to create works of art suitable for framing. Returning students will continue to work on their own projects with help and guidance from the instructor. New techniques may be learned to enhance their skills and provide the ability to tackle more complex compositions. All students will use Artist quality Prismacolor wax based colored pencils and artist quality Stonehenge paper. Instructor: Norma Curtis (6 weeks) No Class: 2/14

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Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Saturday, June 7; Friday, July 4 (Independence Day); Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

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In remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed on April 21, 2025, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center is honored to present this exhibit illustrating the pope’s outreach to the peripheries during his 47 international trips.

​

Learn more: https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/exhibits/francis-pope-of-the-peripheries/

​

The Guilford Art Center’s annual Holiday Expo returns November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026, offering an extraordinary selection of handcrafted gifts from hundreds of local and regional artists and makers.

​

For the season, the GAC Shop doubles in size, filling both the shop and the gallery space with one-of-a-kind treasures: jewelry, home goods, clothing, accessories, ornaments, specialty foods, and more. Each piece is handmade with care, making the gift as unique as the person receiving it.

​

 New this year, the Holiday Expo will also feature a special section of work by members of the Lyme Artisans Guild , known for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase their beautiful, locally made creations alongside other Holiday Expo artists. The Guild’s mission closely aligns with GAC’s, making for an exciting seasonal partnership.

​

 “The Holiday Expo is a celebration of creativity and community,” says Maureen Belden, Executive Director of Guilford Art Center. “When you shop here, you’re not just finding a beautiful, handmade gift—you’re supporting local artists, investing in their livelihoods, and helping to sustain the arts in our region. Every purchase makes a difference.”

​

 Lyme Artisans Guild President Carol Stanland adds, “Handcrafts are very much about community and making connections with people in a community, making any acquisition more meaningful than it would otherwise be. We at LAG very much enjoy sharing our process as well as our products. Knowledge about process gives our products depth.”

​

 New items arrive throughout the season, so there’s always something fresh to discover. Personal shoppers are available to help with selections, and businesses can arrange custom gift packages for employees.

​

 Events:

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• November 14: Opening Reception, 5–7pm
• November 15: Egyptian Coil Chaining Demo (for wire jewelry) with Michelle Pearson
• November 22: Gel Printing on Paper Demo with Barbara Eaglesham
• December 13: Color and Pattern Matching in Fabric Design Demo with Carol Stanland

​

 Proceeds benefit the artists and fund Guilford Art Center’s educational and community programs.

​

Holiday Expo Hours:

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November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026

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Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm | Sun, 12–5pm

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  Location: Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford, CT

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More information: www.guilfordartcenter.org | facebook.com/guilfordartcenter

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Phone: 203-453-5947

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Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.

​

This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.

​

Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/

​

Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!

​

Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.

​

This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.

​

Explore and develop designs for relief, intaglio, and monotype printmaking in this hands-on course.

​

Class time will focus on creating original designs and concepts as students experiment with print plate substrates, including Corian®, Tetra-Pak®, vinyl records, and various recycled and found materials. Examples of different print styles will be shared to illustrate these techniques.

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This course is suitable for beginners and advanced students alike.

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Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

Christmas Tree Festival open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center’s Christmas Tree Festival is a seasonal highlight. This popular display showcases the imagination and creativity of Connecticut Catholic elementary schoolchildren. These students create handmade ornaments and trimmings in the theme of The Spirit of Christmas exhibition prior to traveling to the McGivney Center to decorate a school tree.

​

All 20 trees will be completed and on display to the public beginning December 6, 2025. Explore all the trees and be sure to vote for your favorite Christmas Tree in the People’s Choice Award!

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Show up for your creative self in 2026 with the Saturday Drawing Club. 

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This session’s them is animals!

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Explore a variety of prompts, materials and techniques in a weekly drawing session mixed with conversation, creative time, and feedback. Adults of all skill levels welcome. Bring your favorite drawing materials.

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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In this 4-week class, students will bring original characters to life, from first concept to finished design. Learn the principles of character design while creating characters for animation, games, comics, or illustration projects. Each week focuses on a different part of the process, combining design fundamentals with drawing techniques. Work digitally or on paper and develop multiple fully realized characters with turnarounds, expression sheets, and color variations.

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Design and create your own unique mosaic pendants using a variety of glass, stone, ceramic and other materials. Get experience in the skills of precision cutting, artistic laying techniques, and then how to adhere to a pre-made silver-plated bezel using specialized adhesives. Choose from 3 different styles of pendant – square, rectangular or oval. All tools and materials needed to complete two pendants will be provided. Perfect for a present or to keep for yourself. No prior mosaic or jewelry experience required.

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The tuition for this class includes a fee of $30 for materials provided by CAW.

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Creativity meets skill-building for young artists!

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Young artists discover the basics of drawing and painting through playful, hands-on projects that make learning exciting. Using pencils, pastels, watercolor, and paint, they’ll explore composition, color, line, and value while developing strong observational skills and artistic confidence. Each activity builds coordination and creativity. Together, students will learn to see the world like an artist.

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Unleash your imagination with Procreate!

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Students will explore a variety of brushes, colors, layers, special effects, and symmetry tools while drawing with digital pencils, ink pens, and paint brushes. From simple shapes and cool designs to fun characters and creative scenes, they’ll develop their digital illustration skills and finish the course with their very own unique creations.

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.

​

The Guilford Art Center’s annual Holiday Expo returns November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026, offering an extraordinary selection of handcrafted gifts from hundreds of independent artists and makers. The community is invited to the free Opening Reception event on Friday, Nov 14 from 5-7pm.

​

For the season, the GAC Shop doubles in size, filling both the shop and the gallery space with one-of-a-kind treasures: jewelry, home goods, clothing, accessories, ornaments, specialty foods, and more. Each piece is handmade with care, making the gift as unique as the person receiving it.

​

New this year, the Holiday Expo will also feature a special section of work by members of the Lyme Artisans Guild , known for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase their beautiful, locally made creations alongside other Holiday Expo artists. The Guild’s mission closely aligns with GAC’s, making for an exciting seasonal partnership.

​

​

“The Holiday Expo is a celebration of creativity and community,” says Maureen Belden, Executive Director of Guilford Art Center. “When you shop here, you’re not just finding a beautiful, handmade gift—you’re supporting local artists, investing in their livelihoods, and helping to sustain the arts in our region. Every purchase makes a difference.”

​

​

Lyme Artisans Guild President Carol Stanland adds, “Handcrafts are very much about community and making connections with people in a community, making any acquisition more meaningful than it would otherwise be. We at LAG very much enjoy sharing our process as well as our products. Knowledge about process gives our products depth.”

​

​

New items arrive throughout the season, so there’s always something fresh to discover. Personal shoppers are available to help with selections, and businesses can arrange custom gift packages for employees.

​

Events:

​

• November 14: Opening Reception, 5–7pm
• November 15: Egyptian Coil Chaining Demo (for wire jewelry) with Michelle Pearson
• November 22: Gel Printing on Paper Demo with Barbara Eaglesham
• December 13: Color and Pattern Matching in Fabric Design Demo with Carol Stanland

​

Proceeds benefit the artists and fund Guilford Art Center’s educational and community programs.

​

Holiday Expo Hours:

​

November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026

​

Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm | Sun, 12–5pm

​

Location: Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford, CT

​

More information: www.guilfordartcenter.org | facebook.com/guilfordartcenter

​

Phone: 203-453-5947

​

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Celebrate the beauty of winter through painting!

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Students will learn easy ways to use color and texture to create glowing, snowy worlds on canvas. This friendly class inspires creativity and helps each child tell their own winter story.

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This class welcomes all experience levels, from first-time painters to budding young artists who already love to create.

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.

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Milford Arts Council presents

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MAC BASH: Roots & Bluegrass Festival

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Join us for an afternoon of powerhouse performances and authentic roots music at MAC BASH, featuring three standout acts with their own story and signature sound.

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Kicking off the Roots & Bluegrass Festival is the Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo, delivering soulful country blues and high-energy guitar work. Our second opener, Charlotte Roth & the Big Drama, blends sharp theatrical songwriting with folk-jazz storytelling and a dynamic stage presence.

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Closing out the festival, headliner Hitch & the GiddyUp brings their signature mix of Americana, bluegrass, and country flair for a full-throttle, foot-stomping finale.

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Overcome the mysteries of the sewing machine and discover how fun and easy it can be! Learn the basics of machine sewing including threading, operating, and troubleshooting.

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Practice using the machine and then move on to simple projects for yourself or for gift-giving. Participants will learn a variety of machine sewing methods including piecing, applique, quilting, and freehand. Potential projects include art pieces, wall hangings, patchwork, quilt patterns, bags, a zippered pouch, table runner, or pillow cover. Tips for altering clothes can also be covered. Previous students are welcome to attend and work on more advanced projects.

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Tuition for this class includes a fee of $15 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Registration is now open for Winter Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning January 5, weekly classes in theater, circus and other performing arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.

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Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on January 10 and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Faerie Tale Theater Presents: Stories Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 11 - 11:55 am); and Circobalance (ages 5 - 8, Noon - 1 pm). All Saturday classes culminate in a Share Day for parents on March 7.

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The Teen Repertory Company and Circophony Teen Circus provide training and performance opportunities for young people ages 13 -20. This winter teens interested in either theater or circus can choose from 4 different 6-week classes starting the week of January 5 and culminating in a Teen Winter Showcase on Friday, February 13. These are offered in preparation for an original Spring Spectacle, created and directed by Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, combining theater, circus and Commedia dell’ Arte in a comic history of the world.

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All Teen Winter classes meet 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Mondays will be Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams. Tuesdays offer Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller. Wednesdays is Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez. Thursdays provide Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler. Students may enroll in one, two three or even all four classes, and tuition is incentivized to encourage taking multiple classes.

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After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin January 5 and will run for eight weeks this winter, culminating in a “Share Week” March 2 - 5. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

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Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Imagination Field Trips on Mondays , Circus I on Tuesdays, Art-Tastic Acrobatics on Wednesdays and Who Knows Jack? on Thursdays.

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Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Musical Theater: Matilda! on Mondays, Circus II on Tuesdays, Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) on Wednesdays, and Acting for the Stage on Thursdays.

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Stage Three, for ages 12 - 14, includes the Junior Rep Mainstage production of Charlotte’s Web , for which students must audition on either December 15 or 18. Rehearsals will start January 5 and performances are March 12 - 14. Stage Three students may also enroll in Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) which meets on Wednesdays, 4:50 - 5:50 pm. 

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For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Oddfellows Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.

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Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Liberty Bank Foundation; Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation; Tinty Foundation; Maximilian & Marion Hoffman Foundation; George and Grace Long Foundation; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CT Humanities (DLF); Eversource Energy Foundation; and many generous individual donors.

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Photo attached by Carolina Villamizar of the 2025 Teen Repertory Company production of "Romeo and Juliet".

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North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in New Haven, CT! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

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Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.

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Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.

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Happens on the following Dates:

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Jan 3, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

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Jan 10, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

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Jan 24, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

​

North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in New Haven, CT! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

​

Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.

​

Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.

​

Happens on the following Dates:

​

Jan 3, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

​

Jan 10, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

​

Jan 24, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

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You will hear all the hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Somebody To Love, We Will Rock You, We are the Champions and so many more!

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Discovered by the general public in 2016 during his appearance on Canada's version of "The Voice,"  Yvan Pedneault's vocal power astonished all of Canada. Yvan was 25 when rock legends Brian May and Roger Taylor, members of the iconic band Queen selected him to play the lead role of Galileo in their Canadian production of We Will Rock You. Yvan is now bringing his incredible show to America - no gimmic or look alike, just Yvan and some of the top musicians in America re-creating the music the way Freddie sang it, and just as you remember it.

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No typical sand or slides at this playground!

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CAW’s playground has colored sand, wood, clay, tempera and watercolor paints, markers, tissue paper and more items than we have space to list here. Students will use all these supplies to create projects including masks, paper dolls, animals, birds, insects, portraits, and imaginary creatures.

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How will they do all this? By cutting, folding, stomping, splashing, blending, texturing, painting, and coloring (after they mix their own unique colors).

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Bet you wish you could stay too!

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.

​

 Toni Dove , internationally known innovator in the field of emerging technology and pioneer of interactive cinema presents Sunjammer 6: A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze. This innovative fusion of sculpture, game, cinema, and performance invites viewers into a poetic and dreamlike experience. An AI driven instrument tells the story of Hypatia, a Hellenistic astronomer and philosopher, who returns as a ghost ten years in our future and encounters a NASA engineer building an off-world power station. They connect across time using mathematics and physics. The core of Hypatia is a hybrid AI that interacts with viewer-operators, creating the illusion of a complex personality. Set in the Schwarzman Center’s iconic Dome, by day the work engages audiences in a dynamic narrative installation activated by their movements, making them part of the story. A longer narrative version is performed by dancer/operators for two evening events.  January 5-15, 2026.

​

"In all the conversations surrounding virtual space and meatspace, what could be more relevant?"

​

Art News - Barbara MacAdam

​

Amelia Heintzelman moves the Solar System. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Amelia Heinztelman with Kepler. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Meet the Artist:

​

Toni Dove

​

"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."

​

Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate

​

Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Saturday, June 7; Friday, July 4 (Independence Day); Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

In remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed on April 21, 2025, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center is honored to present this exhibit illustrating the pope’s outreach to the peripheries during his 47 international trips.

​

Learn more: https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/exhibits/francis-pope-of-the-peripheries/

​

The Guilford Art Center’s annual Holiday Expo returns November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026, offering an extraordinary selection of handcrafted gifts from hundreds of independent artists and makers. The community is invited to the free Opening Reception event on Friday, Nov 14 from 5-7pm.

​

For the season, the GAC Shop doubles in size, filling both the shop and the gallery space with one-of-a-kind treasures: jewelry, home goods, clothing, accessories, ornaments, specialty foods, and more. Each piece is handmade with care, making the gift as unique as the person receiving it.

​

New this year, the Holiday Expo will also feature a special section of work by members of the Lyme Artisans Guild , known for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase their beautiful, locally made creations alongside other Holiday Expo artists. The Guild’s mission closely aligns with GAC’s, making for an exciting seasonal partnership.

​

​

“The Holiday Expo is a celebration of creativity and community,” says Maureen Belden, Executive Director of Guilford Art Center. “When you shop here, you’re not just finding a beautiful, handmade gift—you’re supporting local artists, investing in their livelihoods, and helping to sustain the arts in our region. Every purchase makes a difference.”

​

​

Lyme Artisans Guild President Carol Stanland adds, “Handcrafts are very much about community and making connections with people in a community, making any acquisition more meaningful than it would otherwise be. We at LAG very much enjoy sharing our process as well as our products. Knowledge about process gives our products depth.”

​

​

New items arrive throughout the season, so there’s always something fresh to discover. Personal shoppers are available to help with selections, and businesses can arrange custom gift packages for employees.

​

Events:

​

• November 14: Opening Reception, 5–7pm
• November 15: Egyptian Coil Chaining Demo (for wire jewelry) with Michelle Pearson
• November 22: Gel Printing on Paper Demo with Barbara Eaglesham
• December 13: Color and Pattern Matching in Fabric Design Demo with Carol Stanland

​

Proceeds benefit the artists and fund Guilford Art Center’s educational and community programs.

​

Holiday Expo Hours:

​

November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026

​

Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm | Sun, 12–5pm

​

Location: Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford, CT

​

More information: www.guilfordartcenter.org | facebook.com/guilfordartcenter

​

Phone: 203-453-5947

​

​

Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.

​

This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.

​

Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/

​

Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!

​

Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.

​

This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.

​

In this seven-week studio course, students will explore the art of printmaking through a focused challenge: creating works strictly within a 12” x 12”  format. Participants may work in relief, intaglio, monotype, or monoprint, using primarily water-based inks (other solutions are permitted).

​

Through guided instruction and experimentation, students will develop original designs and concepts that reflect current trends and innovations in contemporary printmaking—all within the creative boundaries of the one-square-foot format. The square format, historically uncommon until the rise of abstraction, presents unique compositional and expressive challenges that foster precision, visual order, and formal structure.

​

This course is designed to support the creation of final works suitable for submission to The Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s Footprint International Competition 2026. All skill levels are welcome.

​

Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

Christmas Tree Festival open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

​

The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center’s Christmas Tree Festival is a seasonal highlight. This popular display showcases the imagination and creativity of Connecticut Catholic elementary schoolchildren. These students create handmade ornaments and trimmings in the theme of The Spirit of Christmas exhibition prior to traveling to the McGivney Center to decorate a school tree.

​

All 20 trees will be completed and on display to the public beginning December 6, 2025. Explore all the trees and be sure to vote for your favorite Christmas Tree in the People’s Choice Award!

​

Dive into a lively exploration of watercolor, where color, movement, and spontaneity take center stage.

​

Discover inventive ways to build striking abstract patterns and rich textures through guided experimentation and a playful, process-driven approach. Whether you’re just beginning or already deep into your artistic journey, this upbeat session offers fresh techniques and creative sparks to energize your practice.

​

Students are invited to move beyond observation and explore an object’s inner life, structure, and essence.

​

Instead of simply rendering what is seen on the surface, participants will imagine what lies beneath — the internal rhythms, hidden forms, and unseen energy that give an object its character. Through a process of analysis and invention, students will deconstruct and reconstruct familiar forms, transforming them into expressive, abstracted drawings that blur the line between representation and imagination.

​

Students are encouraged to move beyond their “normal” drawing mediums and explore mixing mediums and collage.

​

Yes, kids can safely sew on a machine! Learn all about how the machine works and then get sewing with simple projects like a pin cushion and small bags. Students will also learn hand stitching utilizing embroidery threat and felt to create cute animals like a teddy bear, dogs and cats. Embellish your project with fun buttons, sequins, bling, and fancy stitches.

​

Choice of projects will include small pillows, bags, stuffed animals and more. You’ll be speeding along in no time!

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

Creativity meets skill-building for young artists!

​

Young artists discover the basics of drawing and painting through playful, hands-on projects that make learning exciting. Using pencils, pastels, watercolor, and paint, they’ll explore composition, color, line, and value while developing strong observational skills and artistic confidence. Each activity builds coordination and creativity. Together, students will learn to see the world like an artist.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

The Guilford Art Center’s annual Holiday Expo returns November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026, offering an extraordinary selection of handcrafted gifts from hundreds of local and regional artists and makers.

​

For the season, the GAC Shop doubles in size, filling both the shop and the gallery space with one-of-a-kind treasures: jewelry, home goods, clothing, accessories, ornaments, specialty foods, and more. Each piece is handmade with care, making the gift as unique as the person receiving it.

​

 New this year, the Holiday Expo will also feature a special section of work by members of the Lyme Artisans Guild , known for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase their beautiful, locally made creations alongside other Holiday Expo artists. The Guild’s mission closely aligns with GAC’s, making for an exciting seasonal partnership.

​

 “The Holiday Expo is a celebration of creativity and community,” says Maureen Belden, Executive Director of Guilford Art Center. “When you shop here, you’re not just finding a beautiful, handmade gift—you’re supporting local artists, investing in their livelihoods, and helping to sustain the arts in our region. Every purchase makes a difference.”

​

 Lyme Artisans Guild President Carol Stanland adds, “Handcrafts are very much about community and making connections with people in a community, making any acquisition more meaningful than it would otherwise be. We at LAG very much enjoy sharing our process as well as our products. Knowledge about process gives our products depth.”

​

 New items arrive throughout the season, so there’s always something fresh to discover. Personal shoppers are available to help with selections, and businesses can arrange custom gift packages for employees.

​

 Events:

​

• November 14: Opening Reception, 5–7pm
• November 15: Egyptian Coil Chaining Demo (for wire jewelry) with Michelle Pearson
• November 22: Gel Printing on Paper Demo with Barbara Eaglesham
• December 13: Color and Pattern Matching in Fabric Design Demo with Carol Stanland

​

 Proceeds benefit the artists and fund Guilford Art Center’s educational and community programs.

​

Holiday Expo Hours:

​

November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026

​

Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm | Sun, 12–5pm

​

  Location: Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford, CT

​

More information: www.guilfordartcenter.org | facebook.com/guilfordartcenter

​

Phone: 203-453-5947

​

Ever wanted to create animations like The Amazing World of Gumball (2011), Steven Universe (2013), or The Owl House (2020)? This class teaches the skills you need to start bringing your own animations to life. Begin with exercises that introduce you to the program and key animation concepts, then use the second half of the class to create your own original animated short. Build on the skills you’ve learned in previous classes and bring your ideas to the screen! By the end, you’ll have a great foundation to keep animating.

​

This class is great for those that have some prior experience but it is also accessible to those that may be just beginning their animating journey. iPads will be provided or you may bring your own! 

​

On January 11, CT's Poetry Out Loud team will hold its free, annual summit open to ALL CT high school students. We have an amazing line-up of poetry workshops facilitated by spoken word poets and teaching artists from across CT on topics including physical presence, voice & articulation, interpretation, and evidence of understanding. 

​

These workshops are an opportunity to gain exposure to beautiful, American poetry, and practice poetry recitation and performance/public speaking skills. 

​

Come through and learn more also about Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation program with state and national competitions, including cash prizes for students and schools (top student prize is $20,000!).

​

The details:

​

Sunday, January 11

​

12:30-4:30 pm

​

NXTHVN

​

New Haven, CT

​

RSVP right away to reserve your spot through the attached flyer's QR code or link (https://forms.gle/dEmC5ewfRu3ufyE96).

​

Please share this opportunity widely! While it is primarily for CT high school students, we invite community members of all ages to join us (particularly educators, family members, and poetry lovers). Please register online, so we have the right amount of materials and food for all.

​

Questions? Contact JHD (Jenny Heikkila Diaz, jennyhd@gmail.com), CT Poetry Out Loud's Community Activator.

​

Explore the art of Hew Locke in this docent-led tour focused on the artist’s powerful visual commentary on identity, migration, and history’s enduring impact.

​

Join our volunteer museum educators and see three decades of Locke’s work in sculpture, photography, and found materials that the artist uses to question and unravel symbols of empire. Discover how he reimagines the iconography and legacies of colonialism.

​

Tours meet in the Entrance Court by the Visitor Services desk.

​

Bring your creativity to life by designing and sewing your own stuffed animals! In this four-session series, held Sundays from January 4 through January 25, participants will learn the full process—from stitching and shaping to adding expressive features and personal details. You’ll explore both hand-sewing and basic embroidery techniques while learning how to customize existing patterns to make your creations truly one-of-a-kind.

​

​

This is a 4-part series held on Sundays January 4- January 25

​

​

What to Expect

​

Across four sessions, students will gain confidence in each step of the stuffed animal-making process, with guided instruction and hands-on practice. You’ll start with basic stitches and appliqué, move into embroidery and shaping, and finish with details like horns, fingers, or facial features. By the end, you’ll have the skills to confidently tackle any stuffed animal pattern you pick up.

​

​

Skills You’ll Learn

​

• Foundational hand-sewing techniques and decorative stitches

​

• Appliqué and simple embroidery for unique detailing

​

• Planning and placement for embroidery and embellishments

​

• Creating darts and gussets for three-dimensional shaping

​

• Adding features such as buttons, horns, and expressive faces

​

• Customizing and adapting existing stuffed animal patterns

​

​

What’s Provided

​

• All essential tools and materials for class use

​

• Pattern templates and reference guides

​

• Instruction and creative guidance from the instructor

​

​

Who Should Attend

​

Perfect for beginners or anyone interested in soft sculpture and textile art. No prior sewing experience is required—just curiosity and creativity!

​

​

4 sessions held Sundays,January 4 - January 25

​

Instructor:  Christina Quinonez

​

Workshop Ticket Fee:

​

Standard Ticket: $99.00

​

MakeHaven Members: 84.00

​

You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:

​

https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=654&reset=1&reset=1

​

Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org

​

Overcome the mysteries of the sewing machine and discover how fun and easy it can be! Learn the basics of machine sewing including threading, operating, and troubleshooting.

​

Practice using the machine and then move on to simple projects for yourself or for gift-giving. Participants will learn a variety of machine sewing methods including piecing, applique, quilting, and freehand. Potential projects include art pieces, wall hangings, patchwork, quilt patterns, bags, a zippered pouch, table runner, or pillow cover. Tips for altering clothes can also be covered. Previous students are welcome to attend and work on more advanced projects.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $15 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

Creativity grows with confidence!

​

Students will build on their drawing and painting skills through fun, hands-on projects that spark imagination and self-expression. Using pencils, pastels, watercolor, and paint, they’ll explore color, composition, texture, and perspective in exciting new ways. Along the way, students strengthen technical skills, try out fresh techniques, and discover even more confidence in their artistic voice.

​

Perfect for anyone who has already taken a drawing class at CAW or elsewhere and wants to keep growing as an artist!

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

​

You are invited to the RECEPTIONS for CURRENT! A CALL to ARTISTS was circulated with a deadline of midnight on December 9, with the following enticement:

​

Prospectus: 

​

cur·rent /ˈkərənt/: belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now, actively moving in a recognizable stream or direction, either figurately or literally.

​

Today’s art scene is dynamic, multifaceted, and heavily influenced by technology, social issues, and global interconnectedness leading to a wide variety of definitions and approaches

​

As a creator, how do you define current? We welcome your interpretations.

​

The Details:

​

Current will be a juried art exhibition of nearly fifty artworks shown at Kehler Liddell Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut in January of 2026. Kehler Liddell is a retail art gallery in the vibrant Westville neighborhood of New Haven, founded in 2003 by local artists, it has established itself as one of the preeminent galleries in the region. Kehler Liddell Gallery is a collectively operated gallery and has a membership of over twenty-five established artists.

​

Exhibition Dates: January 8 – February 1, 2026

​

Opening Reception: January 11, 2026 (2-5pm)

​

Closing Reception: February 1, 2026 (3-5pm)

​

 Toni Dove , internationally known innovator in the field of emerging technology and pioneer of interactive cinema presents Sunjammer 6: A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze. This innovative fusion of sculpture, game, cinema, and performance invites viewers into a poetic and dreamlike experience. An AI driven instrument tells the story of Hypatia, a Hellenistic astronomer and philosopher, who returns as a ghost ten years in our future and encounters a NASA engineer building an off-world power station. They connect across time using mathematics and physics. The core of Hypatia is a hybrid AI that interacts with viewer-operators, creating the illusion of a complex personality. Set in the Schwarzman Center’s iconic Dome, by day the work engages audiences in a dynamic narrative installation activated by their movements, making them part of the story. A longer narrative version is performed by dancer/operators for two evening events.  January 5-15, 2026.

​

"In all the conversations surrounding virtual space and meatspace, what could be more relevant?"

​

Art News - Barbara MacAdam

​

Amelia Heintzelman moves the Solar System. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Amelia Heinztelman with Kepler. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Meet the Artist:

​

Toni Dove

​

"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."

​

Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate

​

 In Pegasus Gallery and The Niche:

​

November 14, 2025 – January 23, 2026

​

Opening Reception on Tuesday November 18, 4:30-6:30pm at Pegasus Gallery.

​

Chip Rutan photographs the lower Connecticut River Valley and shoreline.  His images depict locations he has known since childhood, and captures the momentary and transient nature of place, memory, and of home.

​

Photographs in Rutan’s “Space and Time” series were initially created with a Polaroid film camera between 2022 and 2023. The resulting images were digitally scanned, edited, and reprinted, while retaining the distinctly imperfect visual qualities of the Polaroid media.  His human subjects were photographed from afar, so their likeness is impossible to discern, yet each composition contains a nostalgic and psychologically charged atmosphere of familiarity. Subjects walk along the beach, lounge, swim, and in many works, they appear to blur into the haze of dominant horizon lines. Rutan describes his photographs best as “ephemeral and dreamlike… portal(s) to a simpler time and place.” 

​

Rutan lives in Old Saybrook, and has exhibited his photographs regionally and nationally. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (at Hartford), and a BA in Mathematics from the University of New Haven. See more of Rutan’s work on his website at: https://www.chiprutan.com

​

Pegasus Gallery is located within the library on the first floor of Chapman Hall.

​

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. when classes are in session. Winter break hours are Mondays-Fridays 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

​

The Niche is in Founders Hall across from the Registrar’s Office, Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

​

The Clinton Art Society (CAS) is pleased to present the Holiday Members Exhibition on view from November 28, 2025 through January 15, 2026. The festive opening reception is Thursday, December 4 from 4:30pm to 6:00pm and is free and open to the public. The exhibition offers inspiring art ready for holiday gift giving.

​

​

“The show is an uplifting and art-filled way to come together to celebrate the holiday season,” said Robin Hammeal-Urban, CAS President.

​

​

The exhibit is at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 E. Main Street in Clinton, CT and is open during regular Town Hall hours.

​

​

CAS is a vibrant arts community with members from across the state and beyond working in all fine art media. The organization sponsors exhibits, educational programs, and critique sessions. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact CAS at casclinton@gmail.com or visit clintonartsocietyct.org.

​

Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 4pm

​

 Thursday, 9am to 7pm

​

 Friday, 9am to 12pm

​

 Closed Saturday and Sunday

​

​

​

During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.

​

This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.

​

Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.

​

Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.

​

Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.

​

Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.

​

An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.

​

This fast paced class is all about making a hard cover accordion book on the theme of library or your love of books. You might make a book that holds lists of favorite books you have read, books you wish to read, your favorite libraries, or whatever else you can think of!

​

There will be demonstrations and instruction on a variety of ways of using the accordion fold in a book format: as a panel, as individual pages, as a board book and as a book spine. After creating samples, students will be guided in choosing a format for displaying old school library pockets and their removable cards and adding text or images if desired. You might even use reclaimed book covers to finish your book. Students will leave with samples of accordion books and a completed artist book of your own!

​

This class will take place in a studio accessed by a flight of stairs. For any accommodations please send a confidential email to registrar@creativeartsworkshop.org

​

Get ready to sketch the world around you! In this fun and inspiring class, students will learn how to turn everyday moments into colorful works of art using markers. Whether it's a favorite toy, a family pet, or a scene from the park, young artists will be encouraged to observe their environment and express what they see through drawing. Students will learn: • How to sketch quickly and confidently • Marker techniques for shading, texture, and blending • How to create scenes that tell a story • Developing their own creative style Great for both beginners and experienced young sketchers! All levels welcome. Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.

​

Registration is now open for Winter Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning January 5, weekly classes in theater, circus and other performing arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.

​

Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on January 10 and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Faerie Tale Theater Presents: Stories Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 11 - 11:55 am); and Circobalance (ages 5 - 8, Noon - 1 pm). All Saturday classes culminate in a Share Day for parents on March 7.

​

​

The Teen Repertory Company and Circophony Teen Circus provide training and performance opportunities for young people ages 13 -20. This winter teens interested in either theater or circus can choose from 4 different 6-week classes starting the week of January 5 and culminating in a Teen Winter Showcase on Friday, February 13. These are offered in preparation for an original Spring Spectacle, created and directed by Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, combining theater, circus and Commedia dell’ Arte in a comic history of the world.

​

All Teen Winter classes meet 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Mondays will be Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams. Tuesdays offer Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller. Wednesdays is Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez. Thursdays provide Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler. Students may enroll in one, two three or even all four classes, and tuition is incentivized to encourage taking multiple classes.

​

After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin January 5 and will run for eight weeks this winter, culminating in a “Share Week” March 2 - 5. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

​

Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Imagination Field Trips on Mondays , Circus I on Tuesdays, Art-Tastic Acrobatics on Wednesdays and Who Knows Jack? on Thursdays.

​

Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Musical Theater: Matilda! on Mondays, Circus II on Tuesdays, Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) on Wednesdays, and Acting for the Stage on Thursdays.

​

Stage Three, for ages 12 - 14, includes the Junior Rep Mainstage production of Charlotte’s Web , for which students must audition on either December 15 or 18. Rehearsals will start January 5 and performances are March 12 - 14. Stage Three students may also enroll in Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) which meets on Wednesdays, 4:50 - 5:50 pm. 

​

For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Oddfellows Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.

​

Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Liberty Bank Foundation; Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation; Tinty Foundation; Maximilian & Marion Hoffman Foundation; George and Grace Long Foundation; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CT Humanities (DLF); Eversource Energy Foundation; and many generous individual donors.

​

Photo attached by Carolina Villamizar of the 2025 Teen Repertory Company production of "Romeo and Juliet".

​

Each week students will explore a new medium through various open-ended, process-based projects. With a focus on creativity over perfection, students will explore textures, colors and techniques while building confidence, improving fine motor skills and gaining an appreciation for the creative process. Instructor: Kelley Cooney (5 weeks) No Class: 1/19, 2/16

​

This class is perfect for kids who love to draw, doodle and explore their imaginations. With guided projects and plenty of room for personal expression, young artists will build confidence and have a blast bringing their ideas to life. Instructor: Megan Jeffery (5 weeks) No Class: 1/19, 2/16

​

Interested in capturing great images but not sure how to get started? By covering a few basic concepts, you will see your images improve and your confidence grow.

​

Explore camera exposure settings, smart-phone shooting strategies, and the art of strong composition. Experiment with our Canon Pro 1100 printer and create professional-quality prints that bring your work to life. This offering supports both new and developing photographers. Bring a digital camera to class with your lenses. Be sure to bring a charged battery and memory card installed.

​

Although the emphasis is on digital photography, the concepts covered here build a solid foundation for anyone curious about moving into film in the future.

​

Students also enjoy special Saturday photo shoots, personalized guidance, and hands-on printing support. Saturday sessions run 10am–1pm on Jan 10, 17, 31 and Feb 7.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW and includes four 8×10 prints from the Canon printer. Each additional print is $5 for a 4×6 or 5×7 proof plus a final 8×10 payable by cash or check at the time of printing

​

Explore the joy of painting in this beginner-friendly class. Students will learn fundamental painting techniques, including brushwork, color mixing, and layering. You’ll be guided through observational exercises designed to build both confidence and skill. Students may choose to work in either oil or acrylic paint.

​

CAW does not supply paint, brushes, or canvas. Please see the list below for what students need to bring.

​

Learn how to create digital artwork using Procreate on the iPad.

​

We’ll cover the essentials—drawing, color, layering, and brush techniques—while exploring how digital tools can enhance your creative process. Procreate’s intuitive features make it easy to blend traditional art skills with modern flexibility.

​

Designed for beginners or anyone curious about digital art, this class offers a step-by-step approach to building skills and confidence with Procreate.

​

Explore the art of block printing with linoleum.

​

The instructor will demonstrate the process for carving and printing a 4” x 6” linoleum block, as well as a variety of inking and printing processes. Students will focus on developing original designs and concepts to prepare a linoleum block to ink, create a series, and print the results. 

​

All printing will be done with water-soluble inks. 

​

Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.

​

Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW. Linoleum Blocks and paper will be provided for the first two classes; students will need to purchase their own paper and blocks after the second session. 

​

 Toni Dove , internationally known innovator in the field of emerging technology and pioneer of interactive cinema presents Sunjammer 6: A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze. This innovative fusion of sculpture, game, cinema, and performance invites viewers into a poetic and dreamlike experience. An AI driven instrument tells the story of Hypatia, a Hellenistic astronomer and philosopher, who returns as a ghost ten years in our future and encounters a NASA engineer building an off-world power station. They connect across time using mathematics and physics. The core of Hypatia is a hybrid AI that interacts with viewer-operators, creating the illusion of a complex personality. Set in the Schwarzman Center’s iconic Dome, by day the work engages audiences in a dynamic narrative installation activated by their movements, making them part of the story. A longer narrative version is performed by dancer/operators for two evening events.  January 5-15, 2026.

​

"In all the conversations surrounding virtual space and meatspace, what could be more relevant?"

​

Art News - Barbara MacAdam

​

Amelia Heintzelman moves the Solar System. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Amelia Heinztelman with Kepler. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

​

Meet the Artist:

​

Toni Dove

​

"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."

​

Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate

​

 In Pegasus Gallery and The Niche:

​

November 14, 2025 – January 23, 2026

​

Opening Reception on Tuesday November 18, 4:30-6:30pm at Pegasus Gallery.

​

Chip Rutan photographs the lower Connecticut River Valley and shoreline.  His images depict locations he has known since childhood, and captures the momentary and transient nature of place, memory, and of home.

​

Photographs in Rutan’s “Space and Time” series were initially created with a Polaroid film camera between 2022 and 2023. The resulting images were digitally scanned, edited, and reprinted, while retaining the distinctly imperfect visual qualities of the Polaroid media.  His human subjects were photographed from afar, so their likeness is impossible to discern, yet each composition contains a nostalgic and psychologically charged atmosphere of familiarity. Subjects walk along the beach, lounge, swim, and in many works, they appear to blur into the haze of dominant horizon lines. Rutan describes his photographs best as “ephemeral and dreamlike… portal(s) to a simpler time and place.” 

​

Rutan lives in Old Saybrook, and has exhibited his photographs regionally and nationally. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (at Hartford), and a BA in Mathematics from the University of New Haven. See more of Rutan’s work on his website at: https://www.chiprutan.com

​

Pegasus Gallery is located within the library on the first floor of Chapman Hall.

​

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. when classes are in session. Winter break hours are Mondays-Fridays 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

​

The Niche is in Founders Hall across from the Registrar’s Office, Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

​

The Clinton Art Society (CAS) is pleased to present the Holiday Members Exhibition on view from November 28, 2025 through January 15, 2026. The festive opening reception is Thursday, December 4 from 4:30pm to 6:00pm and is free and open to the public. The exhibition offers inspiring art ready for holiday gift giving.

​

​

“The show is an uplifting and art-filled way to come together to celebrate the holiday season,” said Robin Hammeal-Urban, CAS President.

​

​

The exhibit is at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 E. Main Street in Clinton, CT and is open during regular Town Hall hours.

​

​

CAS is a vibrant arts community with members from across the state and beyond working in all fine art media. The organization sponsors exhibits, educational programs, and critique sessions. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact CAS at casclinton@gmail.com or visit clintonartsocietyct.org.

​

Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 4pm

​

 Thursday, 9am to 7pm

​

 Friday, 9am to 12pm

​

 Closed Saturday and Sunday

​

​

​

During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.

​

This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.

​

Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.

​

Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.

​

Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.

​

Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.

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An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.

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Develop your pottery skills as you focus on wheel-throwing techniques in stoneware and porcelain.

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Lessons will cover both functional and decorative pottery with emphasis on classical forms as we know them. Students will be shown how to apply glazes and/or oxide washes to achieve desired results, such as combining glaze colors and the application of wood ash to create unexpected effects on their work. Wear clothes that can get dirty.

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Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27 and firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash or check.

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Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Learn basic metalsmithing for making jewelry, developing new skills, or strengthen existing ones. Weekly demonstrations introduce tools and techniques required for working with nonferrous sheet metal and wire. Demonstrations may include sawing, filing, cold-connecting, soldering, surface embellishment, forging, shaping, fold forming, finishing, and patina coloring.

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The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Registration is now open for Winter Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning January 5, weekly classes in theater, circus and other performing arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.

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Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on January 10 and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Faerie Tale Theater Presents: Stories Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 11 - 11:55 am); and Circobalance (ages 5 - 8, Noon - 1 pm). All Saturday classes culminate in a Share Day for parents on March 7.

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The Teen Repertory Company and Circophony Teen Circus provide training and performance opportunities for young people ages 13 -20. This winter teens interested in either theater or circus can choose from 4 different 6-week classes starting the week of January 5 and culminating in a Teen Winter Showcase on Friday, February 13. These are offered in preparation for an original Spring Spectacle, created and directed by Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, combining theater, circus and Commedia dell’ Arte in a comic history of the world.

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All Teen Winter classes meet 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Mondays will be Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams. Tuesdays offer Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller. Wednesdays is Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez. Thursdays provide Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler. Students may enroll in one, two three or even all four classes, and tuition is incentivized to encourage taking multiple classes.

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After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin January 5 and will run for eight weeks this winter, culminating in a “Share Week” March 2 - 5. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

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Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Imagination Field Trips on Mondays , Circus I on Tuesdays, Art-Tastic Acrobatics on Wednesdays and Who Knows Jack? on Thursdays.

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Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Musical Theater: Matilda! on Mondays, Circus II on Tuesdays, Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) on Wednesdays, and Acting for the Stage on Thursdays.

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Stage Three, for ages 12 - 14, includes the Junior Rep Mainstage production of Charlotte’s Web , for which students must audition on either December 15 or 18. Rehearsals will start January 5 and performances are March 12 - 14. Stage Three students may also enroll in Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) which meets on Wednesdays, 4:50 - 5:50 pm. 

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For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Oddfellows Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.

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Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Liberty Bank Foundation; Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation; Tinty Foundation; Maximilian & Marion Hoffman Foundation; George and Grace Long Foundation; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CT Humanities (DLF); Eversource Energy Foundation; and many generous individual donors.

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Photo attached by Carolina Villamizar of the 2025 Teen Repertory Company production of "Romeo and Juliet".

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In this creative class, kids will explore age-appropriate graphic novels and learn what makes them so fun to read – and to create! We’ll write our own stories, then bring them to life with colorful covers, splash pages and comic-style artwork. Instructor: Megan Jeffery (5 days) 

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 In this fun, follow-along class, kids will learn to draw their favorite cartoon characters step-by-step. Then, they’ll use their new skills to imagine and create their very own original cartoon characters. It’s a great way to build confidence, creativity and cartooning know-how. Instructor: Megan Jeffery (5 weeks)

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Pathway to Trades is a twelve-week pre-apprentice program tailored for individuals looking to start a new career path in the trades industry. Participants choose one of two tracks—Woodworking, or Metalworking— and build a foundation of skills and knowledge to pursue a new career. Through a combination of instructional sessions, shop hours, project-based learning, and guest speaker sessions, participants will receive hands-on experience, practical skills, and industry insights to excel in their chosen trade.

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You will need to join MakeHaven as a member to Participate in this program.The program cost does not include membership. To join MakeHaven go to www.makehaven.org/join.

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Learn more about the program at:

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https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=328&reset=1&reset=1

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Event Fee:

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Registration $1,375.00

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You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:

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https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=224&reset=1

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Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org

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 Sip and Paint with Kiko

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Tuesday, November 11, 2025 6:00pm

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Only 20 Seats per session! Join us for a classy (yet fun!) BYOB Sip and Paint event, led by our award-winning artist, Kiko! 

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Unleash your creativity as Kiko guides you  step-by-step in crafting your own masterpiece (each time will feature a different iconic personality), all while you sip on your favorite beverage of choice. 

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This unique experience  blends artistic expression with a relaxed, social atmosphere—perfect for a fun night out with friends or a creative date. Bring your own libation, let us provide the canvas, paint, brush – and let Kiko’s expertise inspire you to create something extraordinary. 

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No prior painting experience required  -just a willingness to have a great time!

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Registration : $35 /session.  MAC Members $30 /session. 

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Deepen your understanding of traditional photographic processes while refining darkroom techniques. Explore toning, medium and large format photography, and alternative processes such as cyanotype and palladium printing. Emphasis is placed on developing a cohesive body of work through regular critiques and group discussions, fostering both technical growth and conceptual clarity. Most classes will be divided between demonstration, discussion and critique and lab time. The class also includes an optional Friday evening open darkroom practice session where students can work on and refine the techniques discussed in class. Tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Learn to make accordion books in a variety of styles while exploring the basics of bookbinding.

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Each week, students will learn a new variation on the accordion fold. Demonstrations and instruction will cover multiple ways the accordion structure can function in book form—such as a continuous panel, individual pages, a board book format, or even a book spine. Techniques for attaching pages with sewing, glue, or tape will be introduced. Collage materials, postcards, and vintage library pockets and cards will be available for incorporation into projects.

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By the end of the program, students will have created a collection of accordion books. Those with more experience may choose to spend the session developing a more complex accordion book on a personally selected theme, with guidance available throughout.

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This class will take place in a studio accessed by a flight of stairs. For any accommodations please send a confidential email to registrar@creativeartsworkshop.org

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Open Mic Surgery is a freeform poetry open mic held at Never Ending Books (Volume Two) on State Street. The weekly event offers a welcoming space where writers of all backgrounds can connect, read their own work, share poems by others, or simply listen and enjoy. Expect an eclectic mix of poetry and spoken word in a supportive, low-pressure setting filled with a wide range of creative voices.

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 Toni Dove , internationally known innovator in the field of emerging technology and pioneer of interactive cinema presents Sunjammer 6: A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze. This innovative fusion of sculpture, game, cinema, and performance invites viewers into a poetic and dreamlike experience. An AI driven instrument tells the story of Hypatia, a Hellenistic astronomer and philosopher, who returns as a ghost ten years in our future and encounters a NASA engineer building an off-world power station. They connect across time using mathematics and physics. The core of Hypatia is a hybrid AI that interacts with viewer-operators, creating the illusion of a complex personality. Set in the Schwarzman Center’s iconic Dome, by day the work engages audiences in a dynamic narrative installation activated by their movements, making them part of the story. A longer narrative version is performed by dancer/operators for two evening events.  January 5-15, 2026.

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"In all the conversations surrounding virtual space and meatspace, what could be more relevant?"

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Art News - Barbara MacAdam

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Amelia Heintzelman moves the Solar System. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

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Amelia Heinztelman with Kepler. June 2025 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo: Jack Pearce

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Meet the Artist:

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Toni Dove

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"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."

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Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate

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 In Pegasus Gallery and The Niche:

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November 14, 2025 – January 23, 2026

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Opening Reception on Tuesday November 18, 4:30-6:30pm at Pegasus Gallery.

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Chip Rutan photographs the lower Connecticut River Valley and shoreline.  His images depict locations he has known since childhood, and captures the momentary and transient nature of place, memory, and of home.

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Photographs in Rutan’s “Space and Time” series were initially created with a Polaroid film camera between 2022 and 2023. The resulting images were digitally scanned, edited, and reprinted, while retaining the distinctly imperfect visual qualities of the Polaroid media.  His human subjects were photographed from afar, so their likeness is impossible to discern, yet each composition contains a nostalgic and psychologically charged atmosphere of familiarity. Subjects walk along the beach, lounge, swim, and in many works, they appear to blur into the haze of dominant horizon lines. Rutan describes his photographs best as “ephemeral and dreamlike… portal(s) to a simpler time and place.” 

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Rutan lives in Old Saybrook, and has exhibited his photographs regionally and nationally. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (at Hartford), and a BA in Mathematics from the University of New Haven. See more of Rutan’s work on his website at: https://www.chiprutan.com

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Pegasus Gallery is located within the library on the first floor of Chapman Hall.

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Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. when classes are in session. Winter break hours are Mondays-Fridays 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

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The Niche is in Founders Hall across from the Registrar’s Office, Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

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The Clinton Art Society (CAS) is pleased to present the Holiday Members Exhibition on view from November 28, 2025 through January 15, 2026. The festive opening reception is Thursday, December 4 from 4:30pm to 6:00pm and is free and open to the public. The exhibition offers inspiring art ready for holiday gift giving.

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“The show is an uplifting and art-filled way to come together to celebrate the holiday season,” said Robin Hammeal-Urban, CAS President.

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The exhibit is at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 E. Main Street in Clinton, CT and is open during regular Town Hall hours.

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CAS is a vibrant arts community with members from across the state and beyond working in all fine art media. The organization sponsors exhibits, educational programs, and critique sessions. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact CAS at casclinton@gmail.com or visit clintonartsocietyct.org.

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Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 4pm

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 Thursday, 9am to 7pm

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 Friday, 9am to 12pm

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 Closed Saturday and Sunday

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During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.

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This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.

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Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.

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Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.

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Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.

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Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.

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An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.

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Make functional ceramic pieces using the potter’s wheel as our primary tool. We will cover clay preparation, forming pots on the wheel, and glazing. Every class includes both demonstrations and individually-focused instruction. Wear clothes that can get dirty.

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Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27.  Firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash or check.

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Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Saturday, June 7; Friday, July 4 (Independence Day); Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

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In remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed on April 21, 2025, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center is honored to present this exhibit illustrating the pope’s outreach to the peripheries during his 47 international trips.

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Learn more: https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/exhibits/francis-pope-of-the-peripheries/

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Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

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For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.

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This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.

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Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/

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Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!

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Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

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Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.

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This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.

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Christmas Tree Festival open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

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The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center’s Christmas Tree Festival is a seasonal highlight. This popular display showcases the imagination and creativity of Connecticut Catholic elementary schoolchildren. These students create handmade ornaments and trimmings in the theme of The Spirit of Christmas exhibition prior to traveling to the McGivney Center to decorate a school tree.

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All 20 trees will be completed and on display to the public beginning December 6, 2025. Explore all the trees and be sure to vote for your favorite Christmas Tree in the People’s Choice Award!

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You decide – explore multiple printmaking techniques and processes or deepen your practice in one area. Use etching, drypoint, woodcut, linocut, monotype, transfer prints, paper lithography, polymer plate lithography, collagraph, silk aquatint, transfer prints, or Chine-collé. Learn new techniques or connect printmaking to other artistic media.

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Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.

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The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Explore the exciting process of Mokulito, a contemporary printmaking technique that combines elements of woodcut and lithography. Developed in Japan, Mokulito (meaning “wood lithography”) allows artists to draw directly onto a wood surface using greasy materials, then print the image using traditional lithographic principles.

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In this hands-on workshop, students will learn how to prepare wood plates, draw and process images, and print using water-based or oil-based inks. The natural grain of the wood adds a unique texture, merging drawing, painting, and printmaking into a single expressive process.

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Participants will experiment with line, tone, and layered color while discovering how the medium bridges the immediacy of drawing with the tactile beauty of wood.

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No prior printmaking experience is needed—just curiosity and creativity.

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Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.

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The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.

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Registration is now open for Winter Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning January 5, weekly classes in theater, circus and other performing arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.

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Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on January 10 and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Faerie Tale Theater Presents: Stories Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 11 - 11:55 am); and Circobalance (ages 5 - 8, Noon - 1 pm). All Saturday classes culminate in a Share Day for parents on March 7.

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The Teen Repertory Company and Circophony Teen Circus provide training and performance opportunities for young people ages 13 -20. This winter teens interested in either theater or circus can choose from 4 different 6-week classes starting the week of January 5 and culminating in a Teen Winter Showcase on Friday, February 13. These are offered in preparation for an original Spring Spectacle, created and directed by Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, combining theater, circus and Commedia dell’ Arte in a comic history of the world.

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All Teen Winter classes meet 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Mondays will be Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams. Tuesdays offer Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller. Wednesdays is Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez. Thursdays provide Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler. Students may enroll in one, two three or even all four classes, and tuition is incentivized to encourage taking multiple classes.

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After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin January 5 and will run for eight weeks this winter, culminating in a “Share Week” March 2 - 5. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

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Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Imagination Field Trips on Mondays , Circus I on Tuesdays, Art-Tastic Acrobatics on Wednesdays and Who Knows Jack? on Thursdays.

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Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Musical Theater: Matilda! on Mondays, Circus II on Tuesdays, Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) on Wednesdays, and Acting for the Stage on Thursdays.

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Stage Three, for ages 12 - 14, includes the Junior Rep Mainstage production of Charlotte’s Web , for which students must audition on either December 15 or 18. Rehearsals will start January 5 and performances are March 12 - 14. Stage Three students may also enroll in Slapping and Slapstick (for ages 9 - 14) which meets on Wednesdays, 4:50 - 5:50 pm. 

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For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Oddfellows Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.

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Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Liberty Bank Foundation; Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation; Tinty Foundation; Maximilian & Marion Hoffman Foundation; George and Grace Long Foundation; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CT Humanities (DLF); Eversource Energy Foundation; and many generous individual donors.

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Photo attached by Carolina Villamizar of the 2025 Teen Repertory Company production of "Romeo and Juliet".

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Each week students will explore a new medium through various open-ended, process-based projects. With a focus on creativity over perfection, students will explore textures, colors and techniques while building confidence, improving fine motor skills and gaining an appreciation for the creative process. Instructor: Kelley Cooney (5 weeks) No Class: 1/19, 2/16

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Beginner workshops are perfect for you to grab your friends, grab a drink and come make tiny trees! We’re bringing the awesome art of bonsai out of the hedged in gardens and into the streets! Or at least into your favorite bars/breweries/pubs. Bonsai Bar is a night of fun you don’t want to miss. Learn the fundamental skills and techniques behind the art of bonsai while enjoying a night out with friends! Our teachers will introduce core concepts and guide your experience as you pot, prune, and design your very own bonsai tree! Our Guarantee: These tiny trees are so hardy we guarantee you can keep yours alive, or we’ll replace it.

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This workshop will be hosted at New England Brewing Co. We here at NEBCo started brewing beer with one guiding force; passion (Okay, two forces. We also wanted to see if we could actually make beer that we wanted to drink). That initial, passionate drive is still deeply rooted in each one of us today. And it will stick around as we continue to brew our beer, hopefully growing into one of the best and most respected craft breweries in New England. We strive for the highest quality beer experience by following some basic, simple, core values.

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Under 21 policy: Please contact New England Brewing Co. for details regarding underage entry

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For more about Bonsai Bar and what to expect at our classes, visit our website at: https://bonsaibar.com/products/new-england-brewing-co

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