| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | October 2, 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--"Kick off Fall" and the start to the holiday shopping season as artists and crafters and local writers line the sidewalks for the Downtown Saint Albans Sidewalk Sale, today through Saturday. Local shops will also be spilling out onto the street with "deals galore." ART FOR SALE
Find them on Facebook for more info.
AROUND THE STATE--Vermont's two day Fall Open Studio Weekend celebrates 33 years and begins Saturday at 10 a.m. Most Vermont artists and craftspeople work in studios in or near their homes. These founts of production and inspiration can be found in a downtown or at the ends of a dirt road. This statewide celebration is a chance to see the magic at work. ART ON THE WALLS
Some of the artists open their working studios to the public only during this weekend. It is an opportunity for them to talk about their work and to demonstrate the skill and processes used to make it. The participating artists plan to get work done as well as teach while visitors poke around.
The free Vermont Studio Tour site has maps and directions. The loop through Franklin County will be a great day's adventure. Or two.
The Artist In Residence Gallery has fine crafts and art by more than 40 local artists in St. Albans. Click here to visit.
Rebecca Nase Chomyn at Twisted Perception Metal Works builds steel sculpture, household ware, utilitarian and decorative pieces in Fairfield. Click here to visit.
Elizabeth Cleary creates acrylic paintings, prints, and cards in East Fairfield. Click here .
Handweaver Carol Crawford is "enthralled by the moment [her] shuttle crosses the warp and creates the woven piece" in Bakersfield. Click here to visit.
Lindsay DiDio has stained glass and mosaics at Blue Heron Art Studio. Click here to visit.
The Milton Artists Guild has more than 100 local artists on tap. Click here to visit.
Meta Strick paints, draws, cuts, carves, sews and assembles one-of-a-kind Art Dolls as well as paintings, ornaments, and oddities in her studio in Fairfield. Click here to visit.
Other statewide participants include furniture makers, glass blowers, ironworkers, jewelers, quilters painters, photographers, potters, print makers, sculptors, weavers, and wood carvers. Many galleries will host gallery talks and feature special exhibits in conjunction with this event. Click here for maps, directions, and more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on potter Barbara Colgrove. 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.
The live reception with featured artists at the gallery will take place next Thursday.
SOUTH HERO--Island Arts hosts an opening reception for October Featured Artist Alana Bigos in the IA Gallery at Community Bank on Friday at 5 p.m. The multimedia artist works with painting, crochet, and ceramics. The exhibit continues through the end of the month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
STOWE--Bryan Memorial Gallery hosts a Live Painting Demo by Cynthia Rosen on Saturday at 2 - 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to watch an artist work in real time. Ms. Rosen will answering question and explain her process. The event is free and open to the public, but seating will be on a first-come basis as space is limited.
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, Thursday and Sunday, 11 - 5, and Friday and Saturday, 11 - 6. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--Cold Hollow Sculpture Park is showing Fall colors. Visit before their season ends next Saturday, October 13. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Manor and Lasting Memory host Make-and-Take Your Own Pressed Flower Pumpkin at the Manor on Saturday at 11 a.m. The fall craft is a compostable pressed flower pumpkin and includes all the supplies for a finished project. There will be tea and donuts. The cost is $25. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info. ART YOU CREATE
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Cardmaking with Barb in the Maker Space of the Swanton Free Public Library today at 12 noon - 4 p.m. All supplies are provided but feel free to bring your own glue and scissors. The card making workshops take place the first Thursday of each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Barb Switzer (802.752.7917) or email Ms. Switzer or the Swanton Library, to register or for more info.
PEOPLE'S ART SHOW (October 4)--Register and drop-off up to two works of original art in any medium, any subject, and any size for the third annual People's Art Show at Montgomery Center for the Arts. The group show opens on Friday, October 10. All are welcome to participate. Click here for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Recreation Autumn Adventures for Seniors program led by Alice Reighley continues Intro to Jazz Dance in the Emergency Services Building on Tuesday at 1;30 p.m. Senior Jazz class is a low-impact way to keep active. It will improve balance, posture, and strength. Admission is free for anyone age 60 and over. The program continues on Tuesdays through October 28. Email to sign up and for more info. DANCE
HIGHGATE--MVUHS presents Screenagers 1 in the Trahan Theater on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The impact of this digital age has led to rapid increases in levels of mental health challenges. The series of four documentary movies bring students, parents, teachers, and stakeholders together to learn and start conversations about these important topics. Screenagers 1 is for parents and students in grades 7 and up. FILM
Screenagers 2 for parents and students in grades 4-6 will be shown on November 12 and Screenagers 3 for everyone on December 3.
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Fall program series with Preston Fuller to wax poetic on Disc Golf Demystified: History, Design, and Play in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack today at 11 a.m. The disc golf enthusiast and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church pastor will dive into the history, course design, and basics of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. HUMANITIES
This semester will offer eight lectures, mostly on Thursdays through November 6. A St. Albans series membership is $40 individual/$70 couple for all eight events, or $10 per program if purchased individually. Call 802.656.8407 or Email for registration questions. Click here for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Manor's last historical tour of the season is Sunday at 10 a.m. The restored historic home has a story that spans centuries. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
FAIRFIELD--Vermont Humanities continues the Vermont Reads Series with a book discussion of The Light Pirate facilitated by Peter Burns at the Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Writer Lily Brooks-Dalton grew up in Windham County and was a writer-in-residence at The Kerouac House and The Studios of Key West. Told in four parts, the book is a meditation on the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness. Call Sarah Allerton (802.827.3945), email or click here to register and for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Gallery and the Cambridge Historical Society host artist Eric Tobin for a special conversation on History Unframed: Jeffersonville's Art Legacy on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30. Mr. Tobin will share the influences and experiences of the history of art and culture in Jeffersonville. Longtime area resident Barb Bertocci will moderate a Q & A following the discussion. Admission is free but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 802.644.5100, email, or click here for more info.
VERGENNES--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association's Deep Roots, Strong Branches exhibit continues in the Schoolhouse Gallery at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The artwork and stories by the American Abenaki people runs through October 17. Admission is free.
ONLINE--The Abenaki Arts & Education Center presents a heritage hunt in Dark Academy Adventures, Episode 4: The Mystery of the Crystal Lake Longhouse on YouTube. The video uses science, deduction, and technology to examine "American Indian Antiquities Collecting." This episode unravels the history of the last remaining native longhouse in the Northeast Kingdom. The longhouse lasted through the mid-20th century. Heritage Hunting ventures into the exclusive and world of "American Indian Antiquities Collecting."
ENOSBURG--Spotlight in the House presents Rock & Roll at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls on Friday at 7 p.m. The Theater Camp Dance Group will be joined by Cheryl Ann Kelley's dance team from the Electric Youth for this special performance. The program was directed by Ernie Hemingway and Brianna Morse. THEATER
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. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MORRISVILLE--River Arts continues two workshops this week.
Go all out with the final session of Monster Building: Papier-Mâche Masks & Character Creation with costume designer Abby O’Sullivan on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. It's going to be messy. Bring clothes/aprons that can get monstrous. The cost is $75. Click here for more info.
Evie Mason leads Session 3 of Watercolor: Beyond Basics on Wednesday at 6 p.m. This session will finish the dive into layering and glazing techniques, color mixing, brush control and edge work, creating depth, light, and atmosphere, and storytelling. The cost is $40 for the single session or $105 for all three. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Find the SAC on Facebook for the agenda and more info. IN THE SAC
Thursday, October 2 ON STAGE LIVE
ESSEX JUNCTION--Burger and Blues Night returns to Sparky's with the Vermont Blues Society, hosted by David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose, and Larry Vigneault, this evening at 6 - 9 p.m. Food at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, October 2-4
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap kicks a jerborned weekend of music off with Kyle Stevens tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Jerborn himself at 5 p.m., and then the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus Nickel and Dime live on Saturday night at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, October 3
COLCHESTER--Dan Parks plays inside in 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.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. The series continues with the famed TBA secret band in the Pub this week where they have a new menu, new decor, and new swag,. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
WINOOSKI--Tim Brick is live at the Dumb Luck Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
BURLINGTON--Foam Brewers presents Troy Millette and The Fire Below with Brian K & The Parkway on Friday at 8 p.m. The small, independent craft brewery has live music most days. Jazz Thursdays feature some of the Queen City's best jazz musicians. Times vary. Click here for more info.
Friday-Sunday, October 3-5
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. She Was Right takes the stage on Friday and Third Wheel, the Jeff and Gina trio, plays music to soothe the soul live on Saturday. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. They launch October with Arthur James on Friday and Sister Speak live on Saturday night. Music starts about 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, October 4
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. John Fealy plays for a scavenger hunt this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Oktoberfest gets jerborned at Mill River Brewing on Saturday at 2 - 10 p.m. See Jerborn's own twist on oompah music as the Jerband plays from 3 - 7 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The 2025 Meeting House Music Series presents the Bob & Sarah Amos Band at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. "Doors" at 4. The father-daughter duo have a recent #1 song and #1 album on the national folk charts. Summer Sounds favorite Bob Amos is an award winning bluegrass/folk/americana singer-songwriter with twelve albums and performmances across the USA and Europe. With vocalist Sarah Amos; Andy Greene, guitar; Kirk Lord, bass; and Matt Flinner, mandolin; they have been called a "Vermont Bluegrass Super Group."
There will be plenty of room on the Green to "kick up your heels and dance the night away." Grab and Go light fare and desserts will be available for sale or bring your own picnic.
Admission is by $10 suggested donation with those under 12 admitted free. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. The proceeds go to the Meeting House Preservation Project and supporting live music in Vermont. Concerts are held outdoors, weather permitting or moved indoors if not. Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or click here for more info.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Family Resort has a double header on Saturday. First the Bierhall Fall Music Series fills Saturday night with David Karl Roberts at 5:30 p.m. Then there is a special Cooie & Adlai Concert in the Mozart Room for the popular and traditional music we all know and love on Saturday at 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
JERICHO--O & Schu perform live at the Jericho Cafe & Tavern on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Dave Ogrodowczyk and Mike Schuster play originals written by O and selected covers, a combination of bluegrass, country, and folk, all within the Americana genre. Find them on Facebook for more info.
GRAND ISLE--Kintoberfest, the Kraemer & Kin family festival, brings live music, an artisan market, food, and more to Donaldson Park on Saturday at 12 noon - 5 p.m. The Blue rock Boys and Troy Millette will perform live. Madi Omo, Native Drift Designs, the Birch & Bramble Soap Company, and more will showcase their wares. Click here for more info.
Sunday, October 5
SOUTH HERO--Spirit Festival at Snow Farm is an autumn celebration with She Was Right live on Sunday from 12 noon - 4 p.m. There will be wine tastings and spirit flights, wagon rides through the vineyard, a cozy campfire gathering, scenic hikes to Fox Hill Overlook, and eats from Parking Lot Pizza and 89 Catering. Admission is free. Click here for more info.
Tuesday, October 7
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has Doug's Open Mic Night on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Sign up in-person only at 5 - 5:30 p.m. Local songwriters and musicians perform and anyone can join in. The event is held every other Tuesday. Click here for more info
Wednesday, October 8
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam returns to 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.
Virtual music and events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Talking to the media. The Messenger reports that the "media landscape is always changing, and these days, it's downright chaotic." In an episode of Hear. Here, the Messenger's podcast series, host Josh Ellerbrock talks to Messenger editor/publisher Bridget Higdon, Northwest Access TV executive director Paul Snyder, and Central Vermont Community Radio's Mulvaney-Stanak. Click here to listen to the podcast or read the article.
Local writer DonnaRae Menard continues the weekly read with Episode 7 from her St. Albans mystery novel, Beneath The Fountain, on NW Access TV and on YouTube.
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. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page has two events this week.
Alicia Mercure will lead the inaugural gathering of the Eloquent Page True Crime Book Club to discuss While Idaho Slept: The Hunt for Answers in the Murders of Four College Students by J. Reuben Appleman on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
St. Albans' own bookstore hosts a worship of writers in the Local Author Open House as part of the St. Albans Downtown Side Walk Sales on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will be mysteries, romances, children's books, autobiographies and more from Gail Cleare, Rebecca Cummins, Millicent Eidson, Jackson Ellis, Pat Esden, Jared Gange, Beth Ann Hooper, S Lee and J B Manning, William McKone, Laura Napoli, Darryl Webb, Katharine Whitcomb, Maryanne Wood, and George Woodard. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Brainy Monkey reports that a giant, virtual library exists inside Minecraft the "sandbox" video game in which players explore a procedurally generated, three-dimensional world.
The Uncensored Library is a creative digital response to global censorship. Built by Reporters Without Borders, the library was launched in 2020 to bypass media restrictions in countries where journalism is tightly controlled. Its grand neoclassical-style virtual building has elaborate halls dedicated to different nations, each containing articles, journals, and press freedom reports that are banned or censored in their home countries. The library hosts over 300 books from journalists in Egypt, Russia, Mexico, Iran, and more. Players can read, but cannot alter, these texts inside the game.
The project is regularly updated and has been downloaded over 200,000 times, making it nearly impossible to take down. It has become a fusion of gaming, activism, and digital preservation.
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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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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