
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
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
Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown is offering a special Winter Session of Advanced Theater and Circus Training for ages 13 - 20 starting January 5.
The six week session features 4 classes, each meeting weekly, and culminates in a Teen Winter Showcase featuring the work of all classes on Friday, February 13 at 7 pm. Students may sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. The Winter Session provides advanced training rarely available to teenagers, taught by professional performers and teaching artists. The classes also offer participants unique preparation for the original Teen Repertory Company Commedia-infused Circus-Theater Spectacle which will be premiered in May.
The classes are:
Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30: Deepen your acting skills through monologues, scenes and ensemble work. Actors will strengthen vocal clarity, physical presence and emotional truth while learning to use their voices as powerful storytelling tools. Ideal for anyone looking to gain confidence with both classical and contemporary material.
Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance to build strength, flexibility, grace and stage presence, whether you are an actor, a gymnast, a dancer, or none of the above. Training in tumbling, partner acrobatics, mini-trampoline, stretching, flexibility and contortion, with an eye to performing for an audience.
Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance for actors (and circus performers) to build their apparatus-based ground circus skills, including juggling, rola bola, diabolo, flower stick, rolling globe, unicycle and more. These skills may seem impossible at first, but with practice and perseverance the impossible will become reality!
Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30: An introduction to the characters, style and world of the Commedia dell’ Arte, a 16th century Italian masked comic form which has impacted comedy ever since. Fast-paced, physical, irreverent and revolutionary, Commedia will play a big role in this Spring’s Teen Rep production. This is a great opportunity to put your voice in the Spring production while learning where the roots of most contemporary comedy come from.
Tuition for any one class is $120 for the 6 sessions. Enrollment is incentivized the more classes that you take - two classes cost $200, three classes $250 , and students may register for all 4 classes for $300 for the six-week session. Financial Aid or Work-Study options are available for anyone who cannot afford the tuition.
Following the Showcase on February 13, students are encouraged to audition for the Spring Teen Rep Company Spectacle, an original piece created and directed by Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. Auditions for the Spring show will be February 23 & 26, 6 - 9 pm. Rehearsals begin March 16, and performances will be May 14 - 16 & 21 - 23.
For more information, or to register, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Advanced Teen Theater and Circus Training: Winter 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:
"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."
Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate
Toni Dove: Sunjammer 6 – A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze
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
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
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
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
Holiday Expo at Guilford Art Center
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
Holiday Expo Shopping at Guilford Art Center
Learn the basics of oils with an emphasis on technique and color mixing. You’ll begin with a project designed by the instructor and then move on to a subject of your choice. If you already have some experience with oils, join this fun class and increase your knowledge of techniques and delve deeper into the theory of color. Instructor: Rita Paradis (6 weeks)
Oil Painting at Artsplace
Begin the year with watercolor. As we wind down from the holiday season, let’s take time to settle in and create. Art creation is very meditative and it keeps us in the moment. Start or continue your journey with watercolor as we explore the many qualities of this fascinating medium. Students will be encouraged to dive deeper into their creativity while exploring the many facets of watercolor. We will focus on landscapes and winter themed scenes. Students will see a brief demo at the start of each class then move on to an image provided by the instructor. Students with more experience are encouraged to bring projects/ideas which they would like to work on. These could be unfinished pieces or ideas for new work. All levels are welcome and encouraged. Instructor: Bonny Hartigan (6 weeks)
Exploring Watercolor at Artsplace
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
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
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=224&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
Pathway to Trades: Cohort 3
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
Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown is offering a special Winter Session of Advanced Theater and Circus Training for ages 13 - 20 starting January 5.
The six week session features 4 classes, each meeting weekly, and culminates in a Teen Winter Showcase featuring the work of all classes on Friday, February 13 at 7 pm. Students may sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. The Winter Session provides advanced training rarely available to teenagers, taught by professional performers and teaching artists. The classes also offer participants unique preparation for the original Teen Repertory Company Commedia-infused Circus-Theater Spectacle which will be premiered in May.
The classes are:
Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30: Deepen your acting skills through monologues, scenes and ensemble work. Actors will strengthen vocal clarity, physical presence and emotional truth while learning to use their voices as powerful storytelling tools. Ideal for anyone looking to gain confidence with both classical and contemporary material.
Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance to build strength, flexibility, grace and stage presence, whether you are an actor, a gymnast, a dancer, or none of the above. Training in tumbling, partner acrobatics, mini-trampoline, stretching, flexibility and contortion, with an eye to performing for an audience.
Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance for actors (and circus performers) to build their apparatus-based ground circus skills, including juggling, rola bola, diabolo, flower stick, rolling globe, unicycle and more. These skills may seem impossible at first, but with practice and perseverance the impossible will become reality!
Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30: An introduction to the characters, style and world of the Commedia dell’ Arte, a 16th century Italian masked comic form which has impacted comedy ever since. Fast-paced, physical, irreverent and revolutionary, Commedia will play a big role in this Spring’s Teen Rep production. This is a great opportunity to put your voice in the Spring production while learning where the roots of most contemporary comedy come from.
Tuition for any one class is $120 for the 6 sessions. Enrollment is incentivized the more classes that you take - two classes cost $200, three classes $250 , and students may register for all 4 classes for $300 for the six-week session. Financial Aid or Work-Study options are available for anyone who cannot afford the tuition.
Following the Showcase on February 13, students are encouraged to audition for the Spring Teen Rep Company Spectacle, an original piece created and directed by Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. Auditions for the Spring show will be February 23 & 26, 6 - 9 pm. Rehearsals begin March 16, and performances will be May 14 - 16 & 21 - 23.
For more information, or to register, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Advanced Teen Theater and Circus Training: Winter Session
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
Take time to turn inward and create a sense of inner light. Heart Rhythm Meditation (HRM) is a powerful practice that helps you connect deeply with your heart's natural rhythm. By coordinating your breath with your heartbeat, HRM allows you to experience a profound sense of inner peace, balance, and connection to yourself and others. Suitable for beginner and experienced meditators.
$10 donation gratefully accepted but not required
Heart Centered Meditation with Robin Goldberg
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:
"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."
Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate
Toni Dove: Sunjammer 6 – A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze
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
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
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
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
Holiday Expo at Guilford Art Center
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
Holiday Expo Shopping at Guilford Art Center
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 this class, we’ll create a cartoon avatar of ourselves and tell personal stories through bite-sized 4-panel comics, exploring everything from childhood memories to life with our families, past and present. Each week, we will focus on a new prompt, while studying how cartoonist-memoirists use pacing, tone and lettering to enhance their narratives. By the end, you’ll have a collection of short, powerful stories and the skills to continue developing your own graphic memoir at your own pace. Instructor: Megan Jeffrey (6 weeks)
Graphic Memoir at Artsplace
With the holidays approaching, Spectrum Art Gallery presents The Art of Dreaming. This season find imagination, memory, and hope especially alive as this exhibit explores the boundless world of dreams—where fantasy, romance, and the surreal converge. Discover fine art and photography by established and emerging artists, alongside the Artisans Store filled to the brim with holiday items and seasonal gifts such as pottery, glass, fiber, jewelry, home décor, paper art, and handmade ornaments displayed on Spectrum’s two 6-foot holiday trees. The Art of Dreaming runs through January 10, 2026. Spectrum Gallery, voted Best Gallery and Best Jewelry Store on the Shoreline, is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Regular Gallery Hours are Wed-Sat (12-6pm) and Sun (12-5pm). Between December 6-24, Gallery is open Mon-Sat. 12-6pm; Suns. 12-5pm and on Dec 24, 11am-2pm. To register for our holiday adult and children’s workshops call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.
The Art of Dreaming Holiday Show
Students learn valuable sewing skills with lots of choices for sewing by hand and on the machine. Use felt to sew by hand with embroidery stitches to make colorful animals and fun shapes decorated with buttons. Learn how a machine works and then create projects like small pillows, bags, stuffed animals and more. Instructor: Christine Jewell (5 weeks) No Class: 1/28, 2/4
Homeschool Sewing at Artsplace
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
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. Students will learn a variety of skills including piecing, applique and quilting. Projects will include a 4-patch pin cushion, Boho bags, zippered pouch, or pillow covers. Previous students are welcome to attend and work on their own projects. Instructor: Christine Jewell (5 weeks) No Class: 1/28, 2/4
Let's Get Sewing at Artsplace
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
Yes, kids can safely sew on a machine! Learn all about how a machine works and then get sewing with simple projects like a pin cushion and small bags. We’ll also learn hand stitching utilizing embroidery thread and felt to create cute animals like a teddy bear, dogs and cats. Embellish with fun buttons, sequins, bling and fancy stitches. Choice of projects will include small pillows, bags, stuffed animals and more. Previous students are welcome to attend and to continue with more advanced sewing projects. Instructor: Christine Jewell (5 weeks) No Class: 1/28, 2/4
Sew Easy at Artsplace
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
Join Adam for an inspiring gathering with members of the local woodworking community! At this meetup, we'll come together to brainstorm, share projects, and exchange ideas in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
What to Expect:
Creativity and camaraderie as we connect with fellow woodworkers. Whether you're a seasoned woodworker or just starting out, everyone is welcome to join the conversation, share their projects, and gain inspiration from others. Bring along your latest project, ideas, and questions as we engage in lively discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Goals of the Meetup:
The primary goal of this meetup is to foster a sense of community within the woodworking world and to facilitate the sharing of creative ideas. By coming together, we aim to inspire one another, offer support and encouragement, and strengthen the bonds within our local woodworking community.
Whether you're looking for feedback on a project, seeking inspiration for your next woodworking endeavor, or simply eager to connect with like-minded individuals, this meetup is the perfect opportunity to engage with the woodworking community and ignite your passion for craftsmanship.
Come join us as we celebrate the art of woodworking and embark on a journey of creativity, collaboration, and connection.
What to Bring:
Snacks/BYOB to share, photos of your project or the project if it’s portable, or just yourself.
Instructor: Adam Work
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=735&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
Plane & Simple: Woodworking Meetup
Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown is offering a special Winter Session of Advanced Theater and Circus Training for ages 13 - 20 starting January 5.
The six week session features 4 classes, each meeting weekly, and culminates in a Teen Winter Showcase featuring the work of all classes on Friday, February 13 at 7 pm. Students may sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. The Winter Session provides advanced training rarely available to teenagers, taught by professional performers and teaching artists. The classes also offer participants unique preparation for the original Teen Repertory Company Commedia-infused Circus-Theater Spectacle which will be premiered in May.
The classes are:
Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30: Deepen your acting skills through monologues, scenes and ensemble work. Actors will strengthen vocal clarity, physical presence and emotional truth while learning to use their voices as powerful storytelling tools. Ideal for anyone looking to gain confidence with both classical and contemporary material.
Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance to build strength, flexibility, grace and stage presence, whether you are an actor, a gymnast, a dancer, or none of the above. Training in tumbling, partner acrobatics, mini-trampoline, stretching, flexibility and contortion, with an eye to performing for an audience.
Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance for actors (and circus performers) to build their apparatus-based ground circus skills, including juggling, rola bola, diabolo, flower stick, rolling globe, unicycle and more. These skills may seem impossible at first, but with practice and perseverance the impossible will become reality!
Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30: An introduction to the characters, style and world of the Commedia dell’ Arte, a 16th century Italian masked comic form which has impacted comedy ever since. Fast-paced, physical, irreverent and revolutionary, Commedia will play a big role in this Spring’s Teen Rep production. This is a great opportunity to put your voice in the Spring production while learning where the roots of most contemporary comedy come from.
Tuition for any one class is $120 for the 6 sessions. Enrollment is incentivized the more classes that you take - two classes cost $200, three classes $250 , and students may register for all 4 classes for $300 for the six-week session. Financial Aid or Work-Study options are available for anyone who cannot afford the tuition.
Following the Showcase on February 13, students are encouraged to audition for the Spring Teen Rep Company Spectacle, an original piece created and directed by Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. Auditions for the Spring show will be February 23 & 26, 6 - 9 pm. Rehearsals begin March 16, and performances will be May 14 - 16 & 21 - 23.
For more information, or to register, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Advanced Teen Theater and Circus Training: Winter 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:
"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."
Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate
Toni Dove: Sunjammer 6 – A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze
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
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
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
Holiday Expo at Guilford Art Center
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
Holiday Expo Shopping at Guilford Art Center
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
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
With the holidays approaching, Spectrum Art Gallery presents The Art of Dreaming. This season find imagination, memory, and hope especially alive as this exhibit explores the boundless world of dreams—where fantasy, romance, and the surreal converge. Discover fine art and photography by established and emerging artists, alongside the Artisans Store filled to the brim with holiday items and seasonal gifts such as pottery, glass, fiber, jewelry, home décor, paper art, and handmade ornaments displayed on Spectrum’s two 6-foot holiday trees. The Art of Dreaming runs through January 10, 2026. Spectrum Gallery, voted Best Gallery and Best Jewelry Store on the Shoreline, is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Regular Gallery Hours are Wed-Sat (12-6pm) and Sun (12-5pm). Between December 6-24, Gallery is open Mon-Sat. 12-6pm; Suns. 12-5pm and on Dec 24, 11am-2pm. To register for our holiday adult and children’s workshops call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.
The Art of Dreaming Holiday Show
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
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
Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown is offering a special Winter Session of Advanced Theater and Circus Training for ages 13 - 20 starting January 5.
The six week session features 4 classes, each meeting weekly, and culminates in a Teen Winter Showcase featuring the work of all classes on Friday, February 13 at 7 pm. Students may sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. The Winter Session provides advanced training rarely available to teenagers, taught by professional performers and teaching artists. The classes also offer participants unique preparation for the original Teen Repertory Company Commedia-infused Circus-Theater Spectacle which will be premiered in May.
The classes are:
Foundations to Performance: Teen Acting Intensive with Leland Williams
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30: Deepen your acting skills through monologues, scenes and ensemble work. Actors will strengthen vocal clarity, physical presence and emotional truth while learning to use their voices as powerful storytelling tools. Ideal for anyone looking to gain confidence with both classical and contemporary material.
Performance Acrobatics with Naja Muller
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance to build strength, flexibility, grace and stage presence, whether you are an actor, a gymnast, a dancer, or none of the above. Training in tumbling, partner acrobatics, mini-trampoline, stretching, flexibility and contortion, with an eye to performing for an audience.
Circus Skills for Actors with Joel Melendez
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30: A chance for actors (and circus performers) to build their apparatus-based ground circus skills, including juggling, rola bola, diabolo, flower stick, rolling globe, unicycle and more. These skills may seem impossible at first, but with practice and perseverance the impossible will become reality!
Commedia dell’ Arte with Dic Wheeler
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30: An introduction to the characters, style and world of the Commedia dell’ Arte, a 16th century Italian masked comic form which has impacted comedy ever since. Fast-paced, physical, irreverent and revolutionary, Commedia will play a big role in this Spring’s Teen Rep production. This is a great opportunity to put your voice in the Spring production while learning where the roots of most contemporary comedy come from.
Tuition for any one class is $120 for the 6 sessions. Enrollment is incentivized the more classes that you take - two classes cost $200, three classes $250 , and students may register for all 4 classes for $300 for the six-week session. Financial Aid or Work-Study options are available for anyone who cannot afford the tuition.
Following the Showcase on February 13, students are encouraged to audition for the Spring Teen Rep Company Spectacle, an original piece created and directed by Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. Auditions for the Spring show will be February 23 & 26, 6 - 9 pm. Rehearsals begin March 16, and performances will be May 14 - 16 & 21 - 23.
For more information, or to register, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Advanced Teen Theater and Circus Training: Winter Session
Okorie Johnson is an American cellist-songwriter who performs under the moniker OkCello. His artistry integrates cello performance, live-sound-looping, improvisation, and storytelling – all culminating in original compositions that collide classical with jazz, EDM, reggae, and funk. He is inspired by the exploration of African Diasporic melodies and narratives and their intersection with people’s perceptions and assumptions about the classical and European nature of the cello.
Okorie “OkCello” Johnson
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:
"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."
Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate
Toni Dove: Sunjammer 6 – A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze
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
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
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
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
Holiday Expo at Guilford Art Center
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
Holiday Expo Shopping at Guilford Art Center
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
Each year, the Institute of Sacred Music organizes a series of Zoom lectures that focus on late antique and Byzantine art and architecture. The Late Antique and Byzantine Art and Architecture lecture series is offered in collaboration with the departments of Classics and History of Art and is organized by Robert S. Nelson (History of Art, emeritus), Felicity Harley (Yale Divinity School/ISM), Justin Willson (History of Art) and Vasileios Marinis (Yale Divinity School/ISM).
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.
View the Late Antique and Byzantine Art and Architecture page for specific event dates, titles and presenters.
Contact: Katya Vetrov
Image: Mosaic Floor with Views of Alexandria and Memphis, ca. 540 CE, The Yale-British School Excavations at Gerasa, Yale University Art Gallery
Late Antique and Byzantine Art and Architecture Lecture Series
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
With the holidays approaching, Spectrum Art Gallery presents The Art of Dreaming. This season find imagination, memory, and hope especially alive as this exhibit explores the boundless world of dreams—where fantasy, romance, and the surreal converge. Discover fine art and photography by established and emerging artists, alongside the Artisans Store filled to the brim with holiday items and seasonal gifts such as pottery, glass, fiber, jewelry, home décor, paper art, and handmade ornaments displayed on Spectrum’s two 6-foot holiday trees. The Art of Dreaming runs through January 10, 2026. Spectrum Gallery, voted Best Gallery and Best Jewelry Store on the Shoreline, is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Regular Gallery Hours are Wed-Sat (12-6pm) and Sun (12-5pm). Between December 6-24, Gallery is open Mon-Sat. 12-6pm; Suns. 12-5pm and on Dec 24, 11am-2pm. To register for our holiday adult and children’s workshops call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.
The Art of Dreaming Holiday Show
This class for beginners and intermediates is an opportunity to learn about drawing, observation and seeing the subject in both traditional and new ways. Different drawing concepts will be introduced and explored each week, including lines, scale, shading, texture and composition. There will be plenty of guidance for each student from the instructor. Bring several reference photos, prints or images of landscapes to work from or choose from our selection. Instructor: Mike Berlinski (6 weeks)
Landscape Drawing at Artsplace
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
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:
"You might think the robots have finally taken over..."
Herald Tribune - Marty Fugate
Toni Dove: Sunjammer 6 – A Tale Blown by a Solar Breeze
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
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
Colored Pencil 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
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
Holiday Expo at Guilford Art Center
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!
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.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $30 for materials provided by CAW.
Mosaic Jewelry
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
With the holidays approaching, Spectrum Art Gallery presents The Art of Dreaming. This season find imagination, memory, and hope especially alive as this exhibit explores the boundless world of dreams—where fantasy, romance, and the surreal converge. Discover fine art and photography by established and emerging artists, alongside the Artisans Store filled to the brim with holiday items and seasonal gifts such as pottery, glass, fiber, jewelry, home décor, paper art, and handmade ornaments displayed on Spectrum’s two 6-foot holiday trees. The Art of Dreaming runs through January 10, 2026. Spectrum Gallery, voted Best Gallery and Best Jewelry Store on the Shoreline, is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Regular Gallery Hours are Wed-Sat (12-6pm) and Sun (12-5pm). Between December 6-24, Gallery is open Mon-Sat. 12-6pm; Suns. 12-5pm and on Dec 24, 11am-2pm. To register for our holiday adult and children’s workshops call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.
The Art of Dreaming Holiday Show
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
Holiday Expo Shopping at Guilford Art Center
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
Milford Arts Council presents
MAC BASH: Roots & Bluegrass Festival
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.
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.
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.
MAC BASH – Roots & Bluegrass Festival
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
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".