STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

      ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. Each issue includes the entire text of our weekly newspaper column.

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     Franklin County's arts and music gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. There are also booked and acoustic Open Mic Nights that feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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SAFETY FIRST

COVID-19 WARNING--The events listed this week are as accurate as I could find at press time. Many events may move to other venues or online or may be postponed at the last minute. While all presenters and artists love performing live, it is more important that all members of the community stay safe; that includes the difficulty cleaning and sanitizing particularly the volunteer run venues. CDC also recommends that for the next eight weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S. Do check with the venue to learn of changes before "heading out."
      Click here for the most up-to-date info.

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ART ON THE WALLS

BURLINGTON--The FlynnDog Gallery and Station Strength in Numbers exhibit of artists and art teachers from Fairfax, Georgia, and St. Albans will remain open as long as the building does. The show features Dee Christie, Beth Coleman, Eliza Collins, Barb Crandall, Kimberly Desjardins, Dodi Gomez, Jenn Hart, Judy Kilma, Tina Logan, Alice Trageser, Krista Verriotto, Jenn Volansky, and Sara Woldson. It continues through March.
      The Flynndog has the hallway gallery, two collaborative studio spaces with shared and private studio rentals, and a paper making studio. Click here for up-to-date info.

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SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council's 5th annual Youth Art Show has been cancelled but the Emerging Artist Award is still happening. SAC is making other arrangements to showcase the work and award one local senior as the 2020 Swanton Emerging Artist. Click here for up-to-date info.

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IN THE ARTS COUNCILS

FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Arts Council has suspended its activities until further notice. Meanwhile, they encourage everyone to continue creating and to share your work. Are you live-streaming a performance? Do you have a YouTube channel? Tutorials? Other helpful links and resources for our arts community? Either find Fairfax Arts on Facebook for more info or email the AAC to share.
      The End-of-Winter, Welcome-to-Spring Photo Hike for photography and nature enthusiasts is postponed.

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SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Spring Handmade Craft Sale has been postponed until May or June. Email with questions or for more info. The call for artists and writers for the Emotion Speaks BLISS Art Show continues. Email project lead Kris Daignault for more info. The Tarot Tuesday gathering scheduled for March 31 has been canceled.

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FILM

MONTGOMERY--Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts the first Climate Action Film Festival online on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The film screenings and discussions have moved to online webinar formats.
      A webinar is a live, virtual event that is held over the Internet. The sessions include the film and its audio as well as interaction between the speakers and attendees. All you need is a web browser to watch the movie, see and hear the talks, and to participate through chat boxes and Q&A features.
      CAFF is a celebration of short films with a focus on solutions to the climate crisis. Admission is free and the screening is open to the public. Click here to join the webinar and for more info.

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ON STAGE LIVE

AROUND THE AREA--Gov. Phil Scott on Monday ordered all bars and restaurants to cease on-site service in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. "This measure ... is in effect until April 6, though this could be extended," the Governor's Office announced in a news release.
      The statewide order permits delivery and pick-up service of food to continue but it cancels or postpones all the live music at these venues.
      The Saint Albans Museum has postponed From the Parlor to the Polling Place: Suffragist Stories & Songs originally scheduled for this evening; some other VHC events around the state will be held. The Opera House has cancelled all upcoming events in March and April including the St. Patrick's Party with Prydein and the final Warm Your Spirits Winter Series event. All shows at Higher Ground from now through April 12 have been postponed or cancelled. Check with other venues to learn of changes.
      Young Tradition Vermont is "focusing on making cancellation decisions no more than 30 days in advance." That 30-day window offers the chance to assess the need going forward. It also allows time to investigate on-line/streaming options. Some cancelled YTV events that we would normally cover in this column include Alash at River Arts, Young Tradition at FlynnArts, the Young Tradition Touring Group New England/Quebec trip, and the Young Tradition Festival.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

AROUND THE COUNTY--Franklin County libraries are also struggling with all their public activities. Check with yours to determine what changes they've made. Find links here on the AAC site at AllArtsCouncil.org/books.

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SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library closed the front doors on March 17. They hope to reopen on Monday, April 6, but will have reassess when the time comes.
      Here's the good news at the library. Patrons may still check out books and movies. Call 802.868.7656 or email to request materials; they will arrange for you to pick them up or deliver them if they can. Click here for the library catalog. The library also has a wide selection of electronic books and audiobooks at SwantonLibrary.org . And a Facebook Live Zentangle Class was tested Monday evening by the library.

SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!

All Arts Council of Franklin County

Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us