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
Clinton Art Society Presents Holiday Members Exhibition
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.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Chair seated exercise class for seniors. Relax the mind, body and soul through gentle chair seated exercise using the breath via zoom.
Chair seated exercise
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/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
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!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
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.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
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!
Christmas Tree Festival
Spend a fun winter day with the printmaking community.
Whether you’re refining ongoing projects or starting something new, this time in the studio will give you the inspiration you have been looking for as well as the space, structure, and time to explore and expand your creative practice.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Time to Print!
Learn the various approaches to creating metal sculptures, including welding (oxyacetylene and MIG), brazing, cutting (torch and plasma cutter), hammering, and more.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Students should wear 100% cotton long sleeves, jeans or work pants, and closed-toe boots. No synthetic mesh, plastic, or cloth.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $40.
All Levels Metal Sculpture
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Join exhibition co-curators Laurel Peterson and Holly Shaffer to learn more about Painters, Ports, and Profits: Artists and the East India Company, 1750–1850, which draws primarily from the YCBA’s rich collection of works of art produced across Asia. Moderated by Romita Ray, a specialist in the art of the British Empire in India, this program provides an overview of the exhibition with a focus on the remarkable paintings and drawings of plants and animals in the show. These works highlight the exchange of artistic ideas among Indian, Chinese, and British artists, and the circulation of papers and pigments during a period ruthlessly driven by commerce and the imperial ambitions of the East India Company.
After the talk, drop into the galleries to look closely at a few key works in the exhibition with the co-curators and Tim Barringer, Paul Mellon Professor, Department of the History of Art.
Learn more here.
First Look | Painters, Ports, and Profits: Artists and the East India Company, 1750–1850
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".
Classes in Theater, Dance and Circus start January 5
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)
The Graphic Novel at Artsplace
Inaugurated in 1867, Street Hall—today part of the Yale University Art Gallery—housed the first collegiate school of art in the country. Its curriculum permitted students from a variety of disciplines to sketch from live models and original works of art. Take part in this centuries-old practice by joining us for an evening of guided sketching. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.
Open to all ages and levels of drawing experience. Materials are provided.
Sketching in the Galleries
Learn the versatile and popular craft of silkscreen/serigraph printmaking.
Students will transfer photo images (photography, drawing, painting, or multimedia art) to the printing screens and print onto paper, fabric, or wood panel. Image separations (digital and hand) to print images with more than one color as well as learning how to register multiple colors for printing will be discussed.
Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Silkscreen/Serigraph Printmaking
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.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Metalsmithing/Jewelry
Use circular needles to knit a hat in the round.
We will be covering fundamental skills including casting on, knitting in the round, fixing mistakes like dropped stitches, casting off, and blocking your work. If you can knit a hat, you can knit almost anything! This is the perfect class for beginners and those looking to refresh their knitting skills.
Learn to Knit a Hat in the Round
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.
Chip Rutan: “Space and Time” at CT State Community College Middlesex
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.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Are you looking to improve your throwing skills? Seeking to center your clay and yourself? Do you need a hand with hand building?
This class offers an opportunity to work towards your goals in clay and further your individual projects with differentiated instruction.
Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes.
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.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Centering with Clay
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/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
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!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
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.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
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!
Christmas Tree Festival
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Explore the creative possibilities of clay by shaping and molding it into one-of-a-kind works of art.
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.
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.
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!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Adventures in Clay
Chris DePino / Just Jazz Quartet
Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey with Chris and the Just Jazz Quartet! Dive into the vibrant heart of the Connecticut jazz scene, where Chris, a master of the chromatic harmonica, crafts electrifying performances with the finest local talent. This isn’t just jazz—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience, blending soulful improvisation and dazzling artistry that will leave you spellbound. No two events are alike, and neither are the quartets! Chris handpicks from a roster of Connecticut’s most exceptional musicians to create a custom ensemble tailored to the performance.
Chris was born in New Haven. He is a distinguished blues and jazz harmonica player, music educator, and session musician whose versatile career spans jazz, blues, and classical music. DePino has been a regular session player at Cafe Nine in New Haven. He has also made guest appearances with the George Baker Experience, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, where he was a featured soloist for two “Concerts in the Park”.
Chris DePino Just Jazz Quartet
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.
Wear clothes that can get messy.
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.
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.
All Levels Saturday Morning Pottery
Get started with oil painting! Discover what oil paint is, how it works, and how to use it to make art. Learn the steps to start a painting, how to mix colors with a limited palette, and different effects to make with oil colors. All materials are provided. Instruction will be given in short lectures, demonstrations, and individual coaching. Students will be working from still lives and create more than one painting over the course. This course is open to those who are brand new to painting, while also offering challenges for more experienced students. Teens are welcome to join, especially returning students. The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for materials provided by CAW.
Introduction to Oil Painting
In this playful art class, children will explore a variety of art materials while expressing their creativity. Each week a storybook will spark inspiration and guide their art-making. Young artists will enjoy discovering new ways to create art while building confidence and a love for art! Instructor: Kelley Cooney (5 weeks) No Class: 2/14
Young Artists at Artsplace
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/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
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!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
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.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
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.
This course is suitable for beginners and advanced students alike.
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.
Experimental Printmaking
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!
Christmas Tree Festival
Show up for your creative self in 2026 with the Saturday Drawing Club.
This session’s them is animals!
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.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Saturday Drawing Club: A Creature a Day
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.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Bring Your Characters to Life!
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.
Drawing & Painting: Foundations for Young Artists
Unleash your imagination with Procreate!
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.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Digital Illustration for Young People
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Celebrate the beauty of winter through painting!
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.
This class welcomes all experience levels, from first-time painters to budding young artists who already love to create.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Winter Wonderland Acrylic Painting
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.
Let’s Get Sewing
At age 23, Caroline Owens is a 3-time IBMA nominated Female Momentum Vocalist of the Year, A recording artist and hit-writing songwriter in Nashville, she has performed alongside artists like Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Suzanne Cox, The Isaacs, Larry Gatlin, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, The Malpass Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge.
Her band features Spencer Strickland on mandolin, Chase Bennett on banjo, Zak McLamb on bass and Ella Thomas on fiddle.
Caroline Owens and New Company
No typical sand or slides at this playground!
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.
How will they do all this? By cutting, folding, stomping, splashing, blending, texturing, painting, and coloring (after they mix their own unique colors).
Bet you wish you could stay too!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Art Playground
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/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
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!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
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.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
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.
Bound by the Square: Modern Printmaking in 12″x12″
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!
Christmas Tree Festival
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.
Watercolor Meditation
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.
Drawing from the Inside Out
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.
Sew Easy for Young People
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.
Drawing & Painting: Foundations for Young Artists
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!
The Amazing World of Animation
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
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
Cozy Creations: Stuffed Animal Workshop Series
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.
Let’s Get Sewing
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.
Drawing & Painting: Beyond the Basics
A performance by David Shifrin, Samuel S. Sanford Professor in the Practice of Clarinet.
David Shifrin, clarinet
Adam Ray: WHO IS ME Tour
Sunday January 18, 2026
@ College Street Music Hall
6:00PM Doors / Ages 18+
Tickets on sale NOW: https://found.ee/ar118nhv
Premier Concerts and Manic Presents:
ADAM RAY
Adam Ray is a seasoned comedian and actor hailing from Seattle, renowned for his versatile performances across television, film, and digital platforms. His extensive acting credits include roles in critically acclaimed shows and movies such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Barbie Movie, MadTV, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, and The Heat, among many others.
In addition to his prolific work in traditional media, Adam has made significant strides in the digital space and live performances. He has a combined 2.7M+ followers across social media and his appearances on popular podcasts like Kill Tony, Bad Friends, and Two Bears, One Cave have garnered millions of views, with some episodes ranking among the most watched in the shows' histories. Adam is also the host of his own podcast, About Last Night Podcast, which features the comedian and actor interviewing some of the biggest celebrities in comedy, sports, and entertainment.
Adam's talent for impressions and character work shines through his portrayals of iconic figures like Joe Biden, Dr. Phil, and original characters such as Bruce Robbins, Elaine, Jeremy, and Tony Caruso. These performances have not only captivated audiences but also contributed to the rapid growth of his YouTube and social channels, where his content continues to reach an ever-expanding audience.
One of Adam's standout achievements was his July 16th, 2024, performance on Kill Tony episode #672, which not only captivated viewers but also shattered records, amassing over 15 million views within the first week. On the episode Adam Ray appears as Joe Biden and Shane Gillis appears as Donald Trump. This episode has since become the most popular in the show's history. Following the episode release, Adam Ray was inducted into the Kill Tony Hall of Fame live at Madison Square Garden. He was the first non-regular in the Kill Tony Hall of Fame. This achievement is a follow up to Adam Ray being awarded as the 2023 Kill Tony Guest of the Year.
Riding the wave of his success, Adam took his show, Dr. Phil LIVE! on the road with a national theater tour including 50 different shows. The tour offered fans an electrifying mix of stand-up, crowd interactions, celebrity guests, surprise characters, and unforgettable moments. The final Dr. Phil LIVE! show will occur in Los Angeles at The Wiltern on December 16, 2025.
Adam Ray brought his Dr. Phil parody to Netflix on November 19, 2024, with the release of Adam Ray is Dr. Phil UNLEASHED. The special features comedian Adam Ray coming face to face with Dr. Phil himself. His recent stand-up comedy special, Like and Subscribe, has received over a million views and further solidified his status as a must-watch performer.
As Adam continues to tour across the country and internationally, he remains one of the most dynamic and entertaining figures in comedy today, consistently delivering performances that leave audiences eagerly anticipating what's next. In 2026, Adam kicks off the WHO IS ME Tour, performing stand-up comedy in theaters across North America.
Official Website: https://adamraycomedy.com
Adam Ray at College Street Music Hall (New Haven)
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.
Chip Rutan: “Space and Time” at CT State Community College Middlesex
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.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
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
Accordion Book: Love Your Library
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.
Drawing with Markers
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
Introduction to Digital Camera and Smart Phone Photography
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.
Introduction to Painting
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.
The Basics of Digital Drawing
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.
Exploring Linoleum Block Printing
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.
Chip Rutan: “Space and Time” at CT State Community College Middlesex
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.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Develop your pottery skills as you focus on wheel-throwing techniques in stoneware and porcelain.
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.
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.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Intermediate and Advanced Pottery
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.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Metalsmithing/Jewelry
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Join Yale Consort for a service of Choral Evensong, focused on music, readings, and quiet contemplation. Through hymns, psalms, canticles, and reflections, the centuries-old tradition of Choral Evensong invites us to come together in stillness and prayer.
Free and open to the public.
Yale Consort, a professional vocal ensemble conducted by Professor James O’Donnell and sponsored by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, provides high quality choral music for a series of evening services in local parishes and chapels.
Contact: Clifton Massey
Choral Evensong with Yale Consort
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.
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.
Learn more about the program at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=328&reset=1&reset=1
Event Fee:
Registration $1,375.00
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Pathway to Trades: Cohort 3
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.
Intermediate and Advanced Black and White Analog Film Photography
Join us to draw or paint from a nude model. The 3-hour session includes mixed-length poses. These are monitored “open drawing” sessions; there is no instruction.
Students must register at least 48 hours in advance.
School Policies
Students who withdraw 48 hours prior to the first class are eligible for a refund or credit toward another class, less a $25 registration fee.
Working from a Live Model
Learn to make accordion books in a variety of styles while exploring the basics of bookbinding.
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.
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.
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
Beginning Bookbinding: The Accordion Book
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.
Open Mic Surgery: A poetry open mic
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.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
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.
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.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
All levels Pottery A
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/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
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!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
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.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
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!
Christmas Tree Festival
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.
Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Intermediate and Advanced Printmaking
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Inaugurated in 1867, Street Hall—today part of the Yale University Art Gallery—housed the first collegiate school of art in the country. Its curriculum permitted students from a variety of disciplines to sketch from live models and original works of art. Take part in this centuries-old practice by joining us for an evening of guided sketching. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.
Open to all ages and levels of drawing experience. Materials are provided.
Sketching in the Galleries
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.
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.
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.
No prior printmaking experience is needed—just curiosity and creativity.
Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Mokulito Workshop
Explore essential drawing skills in an approachable, supportive setting.
With guided practice and traditional techniques, students will learn how to observe more closely and turn those observations into expressive, confident sketches.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Introduction to Drawing: Working from a Still Life
Approach color and thus your art practice with new and open eyes.
Working from Josef Albers’s famous “Interaction of Color,” as well as Horstman’s new book “Interacting with Color” we will experiment with such color phenomena as simultaneous contrast and the illusion of transparency. No prior experience is required.
Interacting with Color: A Practical Guide to Josef Albers’s Color Experiments
Learn the basics of preparing and operating a loom. Participants will weave a sampler piece combining a wide range of useful weaves. Beginning students will complete one or two simple projects of their choice by the end of this term. Intermediate and advanced students will weave projects with more complex structures using multi-harness looms.
Beginning students have a materials fee of $18 payable to the instructor.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Floor Loom Weaving
Veteran book arts expert Gisela Noack brings her many years of skill and experience in restoration and conservation to students working on their own advanced bookbinding or restoration projects.
Enrollment in this class includes one 3-hour monitored open bench session per week.
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
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $5 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Advanced Hand Bookbinding
In an all-Janácek program, pianist Melvin Chen reveals the emotional breadth of the composer’s oeuvre — from tender memories to profound sorrow.
Program
Janacek: On an Overgrown Path Book 1
On an Overgrown Path Book 2
In the Mists
Sonata 1.X.1905
