| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | April 17, 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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Round #1 to nominate your favorite businesses, people, and places is open through April 28. The Vermont Community Foundation will award a $10,000 grant to this year's Best Nonprofit winner. That nomination is listed under "Services." It is also your chance to write in the best artist or group, art gallery, festival, outdoor music venue, painter, and so much more. SEVEN DAYSIES
Click here to register and vote.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on multiple media artist Sharon Ratner. The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 38 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. ART ON THE WALLS
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features a spectacular new oil by Eric Tobin. It is in the Stowe gallery and on Facebook .
The gallery has exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The main showcase in Jeffersonville is open Wednesday-Sunday 11 - 4 and the Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 - 5. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild has a new exhibit at the Milton Town Library. Cindy Weed's wooden jewelry, hair barrettes, and pendants; photography by Kevin O’Donnell; and paintings by Heidi Carlin will be on display through the end of June while Leanne Siffermann's scarves and tapestry wall hangings will finish their run this month.
The MAG art center and gallery showcases the work of over 140 artist members in Milton Square behind the Milton Post Office. They are open Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday. Click here or Find them on Facebook for more info.
PLAN AHEAD--Art on the Refuge, a World Migratory Bird Event, will include a plein air painting demonstration with Corliss Blakely at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on May 18. Experience the beauty of the refuge through the eyes of internationally acclaimed, seventh generation Vermont artist as she paints live on-site. Ms. Blakely will share her techniques, materials, and artistic vision while creating a landscape painting. It's a chance to ask questions, get inspired, and see the refuge come to life on canvas. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The first Mud Season Hand Made Market takes over the MVU Gym on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The market will feature 60 artisan vendors, including illustrators, photographers, potters, painters, woodworkers, and more. The event is organized by art teacher Lindsay DiDio and MVU's 36 National Art Honor Society students. It serves in-part as a fundraiser for the group. ART FOR SALE
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts a Rain Boots Paint and Sip with Sylvia Oblak this evening at 6 p.m. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Click here for more info. ART YOU CREATE
BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC--The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse for Franklin Memorial Day. The chorus will have six rehearsals and will perform the Battle Hymn of the Republic with piano accompaniment in the Town Hall. They will rehearse at Dick Wright Pub every Thursday starting today at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. CALL FOR SINGERS
ST. ALBANS--Saint Pauls UMC hosts Good Friday Pizza & Movie Night with Heaven Is For Real at the church on Friday at 6 p.m. They will "have all the makings for several home made pizzas that we will put together and bake in our ovens, together." The film stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Margo Martindale, Jacob Varagas, and Thomas Haden Church. Find them on Facebook for more info. FILM
FAIRFIELD--Fairfield Center School and the Abbey Group host the annual Project Sweet Talk this morning at 8:30 - 10 a.m. The open-house style event offer breakfast and an exploration of a student showcase of their projects and learning experiences. The event is open to the entire community. Breakfast is completely free for everyone. HUMANITIES
The Project Sweet Talk student showcase continues all day on Friday.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page and the Saint Albans Museum's SAM Talks host Ira Allen: A Hard Founding Father to Love with historian J. Kevin Graffagnino in the Bliss Room on Thursday at 4 p.m. Land speculator, revolutionary, pamphleteer, politician, and empire-builder, Ira Allen is the key figure of the new book Ira Allen: A Biography. These talks are free and open to the public. Click here for more info.
ONLINE and COLCHESTER--Vermont Humanities continues the weekly Snapshot Series with Kerstin Lange traveling the Phantom Border: A Personal Reconnaissance of Contemporary Germany at Burnham Memorial Library and online on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The 870-mile-long border that divided Germany during the Cold War is now a unique nature preserve called the Green Belt. "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.
ONLINE--Did you miss the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute weekly program series? Northwest Access TV broadcast NOTCH CEO Kathy Benoit discussing NOTCH Committed to Health & Community on YouTube. The Northern Tier Center for Health is a primary care practice in Franklin and Grand Isle counties. They offer family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health, pharmacy, lab, and general dentistry as well as a social grocery store in Richford.
MONTGOMERY--Northwest Vermont Solid Waste District reprises its Papermaking Workshop at the Montgomery Center for the Arts on Saturday at 1 p.m. They will turn old scrap paper and junk mail into fresh sheets, recycling paper in the same way that paper mills do but on a small scale. The workshop will teach the pulping process, pull sheets using a mold and deckle, and connect this process to NWSWD's own work in Montgomery. The event is free. Click here to register and for more info. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild Art Center has two free workshops this week.
Social Sundays continue at the MAG 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.
Art is a business. MAG offers Understanding Your Business Finances, a free workshop with Doug Emery and Jack McSweeney of M&T Bank on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The bankers will cover questions about finances and how to take that next step. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Writers' Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. They meet the third Thursday of each month to share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Email Becky Rupp or the Swanton Library for more info. IN THE SAC
Thursday, April 17 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro often hosts Acoustic Thursday on Thursday evenings at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's hosts a Blues Jam with David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose and Larry Vigneault, this evening at 5 - 9 p.m. The Blues will continue on the first and third Thursday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday, April 18
COLCHESTER--Jerborn and Jaden, "the closest thing you can get to Jerborn squared," play rock and stuff for the live and free Friday Night Live Music at the Spanked Puppy on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the Stragglers to serve up their own spin on bluegrass, vintage country, Americana, and classic rock on the Taproom stage on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. The series continues with David Miller this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents Sanctuary live on Friday at 8 p.m. "It's their first time at Sparky's." Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, April 18-20
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows Friday night, Sibling Reverie at 5 p.m., followed by Bad Horsey for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus the Hitmen live on Saturday night starting at 9 p.m. 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 April. Bare Bones plays Friday and the Smokey Newhouse Project is live on Saturday. Music starts about 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in April. Bob and Mona play Friday. The Phillip Hyjek Trio performs live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has an evening of music at Champlain Country Club with Jesse Agan on Friday night at 7 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.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Laura Fedele-Rasco Music on Friday at 6 p.m. and Acoustic Mayhem live on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.
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, April 19
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents Summer Sounds favorites the Tenderbellies with Forest Station in the Showcase Lounge on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Doors at 7. The string band blends bluegrass, Americana, new grass, jazz, soul and rock and is celebrating the release of their newest full-length album, When the Thunder Rolls. Admission is $15 advance or $18 day of show. Click here for tickets and more info.
Wednesday, April 23
LEWISTON, ME--The Young Tradition Touring Group plays Trinity Church on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. The ensemble of talented teenage musicians and singers from Vermont and Maine is touring New England this month. They are led this year by Ethan Tischler and Elsie Gawler. Click here for more info.
FAIRFIELD--Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group at Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The group meets monthly to share and learn about photography. Join the Zoom Meeting with passcode: 311344 or click here for the Zoom link and more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
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 St. Albans Free Library hosts Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries to discuss Counterfeit by Kirsten Chen this morning at 10:30 a.m. The novel follows a Chinese-American lawyer and her college roommate who left after a cheating scandal growing a scheme to sell counterfeit handbags. The group reads a variety of mystery genres and meets the third Thursday of each month in the Martha Dalton Meeting Room. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The monthly SPL Book Club meets to discuss The Briar Club by Kate Quinn at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 5 p.m. The story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C. boardinghouse during the McCarthy era is based on true stories and historical events. Call the library (802.868.7656) or click here for more info and to request a copy.
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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