| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | February 6, 2025 |
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. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
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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ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, come hear what inspires artist and graphic designer Colleen Blatchly, Marissa Mason, jewelry creator Karen Mulkey, and artist, illustrator, and cartoonist Sarah Rosedahl with a live reception at the gallery this evening at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. A.I.R. will continue celebrating the monthly Featured Artists online and on Facebook. ART ON THE WALLS
The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery on South Main Street is open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
STOWE--New Visions, the spring exhibit of the Bryan Memorial Gallery opens with a reception on Saturday from 1 - 4 p.m. The exhibit introduces the works of four new artists: Athena Tasiopoulos, Robert Wellings, Marilyn Ruseckas, and Robert Wieferich whose work will be on view from February 5 - June 29.
The gallery has exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 - 5. The main showcase in Jeffersonville will reopen in March. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
UPCYCLED ART (February 12)--The Swanton Arts Council and NW Solid Waste District celebrate artwork created from salvaged items and the grand reopening of the Art Nook Gallery. Registering multiple pieces is encouraged. Email the Swanton Library or click here to register or for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
NATURE'S PALETTE (February 22)--The Montgomery Center for the Arts wants art inspired by the earth for an homage to the environment. The show opens March 1 at the MCA, beginning with Play Every Town. The exhibition is free and open to everyone. All entries will be exhibited. Click here for more info.
ONLINE--The Vermont Humanities Snapshot Series offers two events this week. HUMANITIES
The Boston Public Library's Katherine Mitchell looks at Photographic Currents: Nineteenth-Century US River Series online from the Queechee Library this evening at 7 p.m. Serial river photographs were multi-part works, made to celebrate and promote the nation's expansion. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or Click here or Click here to register and for more info.
Memoirist Marpheen Chann leads the Moon in Full: A Modern-Day Coming-of-Age Book Talk on Wednesday at 7 p.m. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or click here or here to register and for more info.
PLAN AHEAD--The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute begins the Spring weekly program series with James and Anne Ouellette's Alaskan tour next Thursday, February 13, in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack.
This semester will offer eight lectures, mostly on Thursdays through April 10. A St. Albans series membership is $40 individual/$70 couple for all eight events, or $8 per program if purchased individually. Call 802.656.8407 or email for registration questions. Click here for more info.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts has two workshops this week. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
The February Open Studio Figure Drawing offers a full nude session today at 3:30 p.m. There will be a combination of short and medium-length poses, and a a longer-form pose at the end. River Arts limits nude sessions to ages 16 and older. This session isn't just for figure drawing; sculptors, painters, and photographers are welcome. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.
The Creative Art Series for Seniors continues on Tuesday at 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Instructor Jen Volansky teaches a variety of art disciplines including diorama, collage, writing, clay, and painting for 60+ learners. Regular tuition is $100. Click here to register and for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts a free Paper Making Class with Northwest Solid Waste District on Friday at 4 - 6 p.m. Hand-crafted paper can be art, often used as sculpture, manipulated into shapes or images, or as the field for a painting or a poem. NWSWD will lead the class to turn junk mail, newspapers, and other unwanted detritus into fresh, usable, hand-made paper sheets. Registration is required. Click here to register or for more info.
MILTON--Social Sundays continue at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m. Each week offers a different project. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop for some fun before the new moon on Sunday at 12 noon. This workshop will use pebbles, rocks, stones, driftwood, and lake glass to create artwork. From framed pieces to candle holders, each piece is unique. Sip on brews while they provide guidance and inspiration; what you make will be completely your own creation.
The cost is $35. Click here for tickets and more info.
ONLINE--Season Two is here! host Alex Foltz paints again as Foltz Studio, the educational outdoor painting show produced by Northwest Access Television, began its second season on Monday. The Highgate native who now lives in the state of Georgia teaches viewers the art of plein-air oil painting across different landscapes in Vermont. Season Two will be uploaded to Northwest Access TV's YouTube page and will stream live on channels 1079 and 1089.
Email the station to recommend locations or to pitch a show idea of your own.
COVID, the flu, and a stomach bug shut down the Cabot School and Twinfield Union last week. The ER was full at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury COVID NEWS
Still about 23 percent of Vermonters have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 33 percent have gotten a flu shot (both not changed much from last week), according to the Vermont Department of Health dashboard. Franklin County residents have even lower rates of protection: still just 17% have the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 29 percent have gotten a flu shot.
COVID-19 is still here whether Vermonters get the shot or not. Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to emerge. XEC remains the dominant circulating variant while KP.3 and MC specimens continue to infect Vermonters. The current vaccine formula protects against serious outcomes of all current variants of the virus.
174 cases were reported in the week ending January 25, down slightly from 181 the week before. In total, 1,247 pandemic deaths have been reported as of January 18, meaning COVID claimed another four Vermonters in the past week.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that the levels of the virus eased last week but held steady at twp test stations and spiked in Montpelier. According to the Vermont Department of Health, wastewater data shows some of the COVID-19 in the community "because an infected person sheds into the water no matter if they're sick or not." Obviously those of us on septic systems (mound systems, tanks, or cesspools) are not included in the data so the actual numbers are higher.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends multiple vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, an updated flu shot, and RSV protection. Medicare continues to cover vaccines without cost sharing. Most adults with health insurance and all children can continue to get the vaccine without cost-sharing. Vermont's universal vaccine program covers the cost of the COVID-19 vaccines at all primary care offices for adults without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover all costs. We can still order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The tests available for order are rapid antigen, at-home tests requiring no lab drop-off. Many COVID-19 tests have longer shelf life and extended expiration dates.
My own plan remains unchanged, especially since our precautions have waned and the current variants dodge all but the most up-to-date immunity. I got the COVID, Flu, and RSV shots, and the boosters, and I still take precautions because neither vaccine nor "natural immunity" is 100% foolproof. I wash my hands. I double mask with a genuine N95 mask (not a bandana and not a "chin strap") plus a surgical mask everywhere I can't control the airflow. It isn't much of a burden and it mostly protects me from all the people without masks I see in stores and concerts.
Thursday February 6 ON STAGE LIVE
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Recreation Department hosts the 2025 Daughter Gala today at 5:30 p.m. The "enchanting evening of Hearts & Love for daughters and their escort" will include refreshments, music and dancing with hearts and glitter in the grand "Ball Room" of City Hall as a fund raiser for the Rec Department. The resident price is $63 per couple, $29 for each additional daughter; the nonresident price is $83 per couple and $39 for each additional daughter. There are NO online or facebook tickets for sale. Click here to register and be added to the guest list and for more info. Check in at the desk on arrival.
Thursday-Saturday, February 6-8
ESSEX JUNCTION--The Sparky's triple header means hosts a Blues Night with the Vermont Blues Society this evening at 5 - 9 p.m.--the Winter Blues Jam will continue on the first and third Thursday of each month--plus Dan Parks for an acoustic set in the bar on Friday at 5 p.m., then the Friday night band at 8, and the Staircase 24 Kickoff live on Saturday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday, February 7
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Joint presents Beg Steal or Borrow on a special night on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Bobby Cee solo for a night of live music on the Taproom stage on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has live music with Ryan Hanson at Champlain Country Club Friday at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to close every day with pub fare from nachos and chicken wings to salads, burgers, salmon, and chicken to dinner options and libations.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series has live performances every Friday about 6:30 p.m. The series continues with David Miller this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Ryan Sweezey plays the Friday Night Wine Down at Snow Farm Vineyard on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Winter Wine Down Music Series continues inside the wineries with well known musicians, wine, and food every Friday through March 28. Click here for the menu and more info.
Friday-Sunday, February 7-9
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of late night music with Something Reckless on Friday night plus the Lloyd Tyler Band live on Saturday night. Music starts at 9 p.m. both nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in February. Kyle Stevens leads Karaoke on Friday and they get jerborned with Jerborn live on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Sister Speak on Friday and Ethan Sawyer live on Saturday night. Music starts about 6:30 p.m.
Watch for Comedy For A Cause announcements coming this week.
Call 802.524.1405 or find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to book a reservation or to visit the art on the walls.
Saturday, February 8
SOUTH HERO--Cooie Sings at the Blue Paddle Bistro for a special Acoustic Saturday on Saturday at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
Sunday, February 9
Daylight Saving Time begins.
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--The KCB Community Association Concerts in Sunset Park series skips this week. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, February 12
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues man, Nobby Reed and the House Band, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Blues Jam blows out the speakers at Twiggs on the second Wednesday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FAIRFIELD--The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book Discussion Group will meet by the fireplace to discuss Weyward by Emilia Hart this evening at 6:30 p.m. The mix of historical and women's fiction weaves the stories of three women across five centuries. Click here for more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FRANKLIN--There's been a Murder at the Haston and you have to help find out whodunnit on Saturday at 6 p.m. There are a limited number of characters involved in the mysterious goings-on Call 802.285.6505 or email to take part or for more info,
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour on Monday at 10 a.m. The program is a community connect to brainstorm opportunities for senior support. Each week will also include coffee and tea, as well as fresh pastries. The program will run every Monday morning and is free for anyone 55 and older. Registration is mandatory as space is limited. Call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club meets to discuss The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The New York Times bestseller tells of the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library Book Group will discuss Gulp by Mary Roach on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The new Adventures on the Alimentary Canal looks at your gut and what happens when you eat. What could go wrong, right? The Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month; a limited number of books is available at the circulation desk. Click here for more info.
ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at library events in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site at AllArtsCouncil.org/books. We also take an occasional peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. Those reviews can be found on the ArtBits Bookshelf.
Good News!There are so many events around the region that we miss some of them.Be sure to check these calendars for what's happening near you ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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Dick Harper, Chair
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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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