| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | October 16, 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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FAIRFAX--Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at Fairfax Community Library on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The club is open to all ages and skill levels as a relaxed space to draw, try new art mediums, and build artistic community. Bring your own supplies but materials are provided. ART YOU CREATE
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council free Art Journaling Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Art journals, junk journals, art pages and more are on the table and make for fun for artists, writers, scrap bookers, and more. The group meets to share ideas and to take time to create. Gatherings are traditionally held at the library on the third or fourth Monday of every month. If you need supplies to get started, check out the library's Makerspace or Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts a Mixed Media Pumpkins Paint n' Sip with Sylvia Oblak on Wednesday at 10 a.m. No experience is necessary to paint the pumpkins then hot glue leaves, twine, and twinkle lights to create a fall decoration. The cost is $35 for members or $45 for non-members. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on fiber artist Janice Decooman. 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 Hunter's Moon by Brian Hewitt a view of Mount Mansfield in full brilliant splendor. "I hope it's just fun," he said. It is in the Jeffersonville 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.
MONTGOMERY--The third annual People's Art Show continues at the Montgomery Center for the Arts on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon - 4 p.m. The non-juried and uncensored group exhibition celebrates all forms of creativity, diversity and imagination. Click here for more info.
NORTHWEST NIGHTMARES (October 17)--The area's only film festival calls aspiring filmmakers to submit work for the big screen and "a rabid audience of home-grown horror fans." Awards and prizes include Best Picture, Best Scare, Best Acting, Best Cinematography, Best Costume/Makeup, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Screenplay, Best Sound Design and Best Special Effects. Click here for the complete filmmakers' guide. CALL FOR ARTISTS
GEMS (October 19)--Submissions are open for one of Bryan Gallery's final exhibitions of the year. GEMS features small works by Bryan member artists. All artwork needs to be 8" x 10" or smaller and all framing needs to be 14" x 16" or smaller. A Gallery membership is required for all artists exhibiting in GEMS. Click here for exhibition specs and more info.
NVAA FALL SHOW AT COPLEY GALLERY (October 27)--Member artists will be allowed one submission no larger than 28" per side (not including frame). Click here for more info.
KIDS' ENTREPRENEUR CRAFT FAIR (now)--The craft fair will take place at the Highgate Manor on November 15. The special event celebrates creativity and kid-run businesses with handmade crafts, treats, treasures, and more. Sign-ups are open now. Find them on Facebook for more info or email to register.
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
SWANTON--The Maple Squares of St. Albans square dancing club host a free night of lessons at the Swanton Free Public Library on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. New dancers are encouraged to attend. No partner needed. Call 802.393.1336 or 802.582.0455 for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The spooky season is officially here. Tickets for the 13th annual Northwest Nightmares Film Festival at the Welden Theater on sale now. Admission is $10. Click here for tickets. FILM
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Fall weekly program series with pilot-in-command Beth White for Women Build Planes--A Milestone in Aviation History in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack today at 11 a.m. Ms. White will share her journey into aviation, sparked by the thought: "If Beryl Markham could fly solo across the Atlantic in the 1930s, why can’t I?" She now fosters the next generation of aviators, builders, and innovators by providing hands-on opportunities in aviation. Beth will be joined by the Modern Rosies of her apprenticeship program at Franklin County State Airport where youth work alongside adults servicing conventional and electric aircraft and learn to become pilots. 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.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities has two nearby events this week.
The dive into Social Tinkering: Connection Conversations concludes online this evening at 6 p.m. The free, 3-part, virtual meetup takes includes a brief presentation, generous connection time with other participants, and a "Micro-Connection Challenge" to carry connection forward. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Jeanette Langston (802.342.5811) or Click here to get tickets and for more info.
Julie Carrick Dalton discusses her latest novel, The Last Beekeeper, online and at Norwich Public Library this evening at 6:30 p.m. The book chronicles a celebration of found family, an exploration of truth versus power, and the triumph of hope in the face of despair. Click here to register and for more info.
VH highlights similar stories of hope for this year's Fall Festival "as Vermont cities, towns, and villages face interrelated, complex problems such as climate change and the housing crisis."
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum SAM Talks presents UVM's Dr. Pamela Walker to discuss The Box Project: Race, Rurality, & Civil Rights Activism from Vermont to Mississippi in the Bliss Room on Friday at 4 p.m. The "Box Project" was a 1960s campaign in many Vermont women sent packages with material goods to black families in the South experiencing poverty and racism. Dr. Walker explores the effect that this aid had on both senders in New England, and receivers in Mississippi. These talks are free and open to the public. Click here to register and for more info.
After SAM Talks, gather for a 2025 Franklin & Grand Isle Historical Societies Meetup and potluck dinner to commune with fellow local historians and history supporters from the two counties at the museum on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Click here to register and for more info.
SWANTON--Calling all Blues fans. The Swanton Free Public Library presents Stories of the Blues, Part 2, a free live demonstration and discussion of the Blues with Missisquoi Slim, at the library on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Missisquoi Slim is a vintage instrument collector and a lifelong fan of the blues who has played locally and nationally. He will share the artists, instruments and stories of the time. Admission is free, thanks the Swanton Arts Council. Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Haston Library presents writer and historian Kevin Graffagnino to discuss Rebels in Vermont--The St. Albans Raid in Franklin Town Hall on Wednesday at 6 p.m. On October 19, 1864, Lt. Bennett Young and 22 Confederate soldiers attacked the village of St. Albans. Mr. Graffagnino will detail the events of the raid and offer a Southern perspective into the lives of the participants.
SHELDON--Boo! The Sheldon Library hosts a Pumpkin Crafting Workshop on Saturday at 10 a.m. "Time to start your holiday crafting." Free. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MILTON--Milton Artists' Guild has two workshops this week.
Crochet artist Kelli Shepherd leads Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice Beginner Crochet Workshop at the MAG Art Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. The workshop will cover crochet basics to create a cozy fall pumpkin. The cost is $35 for members or $45 for non-members. Click here for more info.
Social Sundays continue at the MAG 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.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Recreation program offers a Dried Flower Workshop in the Emergency Services Building on Saturday at 2 p.m. The cost of $50/person will be collected at the door. A5x7 frame and flowers are provided, with all the tools needed to create your art. Light refreshments will be served. Email to register and for more info, Pre-registration is required
FRANKLIN--Artist Martha Kinney offers a Painted Mandala Class at the Dick Wright Pub on Sunday at 1 p.m. The decorative mandala art form is over 2,000 years old. The mandala is a geometric group of symbols. Mandalas are often used to focus attention as a spiritual guidance tool and as an aid to meditation. The class will teach a folk art style brush stroke. The cost of $40 includes all materials. Class size is limited.
Click here for more info or email to reserve your spot.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts begins a four-workshop series, Calligraphy Basics, with teaching artist Chris Carfaro on Tuesday at 5:30 - 7 p.m. Classes will be held each Tuesday through November 18. The course not only explores the history of penmanship, students will practice with broad-edged nibs to create Italic and Gothic letterforms, and learn the foundations of English Roundhand, Copperplate, and ornamental scripts. It draws inspiration from Veiko Kespersaks' Calligraphy in 24 Hours. Tuition is $100 for all four workshops. Click here to enroll and for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library's Creative Creatures meet to craft decorative potion bottles on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The program is an opportunity try new crafts and meet other creative people. The group for young adults and up will try out several different seasonal and non-seasonal crafts. "If you have the perfect bottle in mind, you can bring it to use, or you can use one of the ones we've gathered." Find them on Facebook 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, October 16 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.
MORRISVILLE--Tim Brick returns to Soulmate Brewing for a live acoustic show in Mo-Vegas this evening at 6 p.m. It will be an evening of evening of favorite covers and his own original Vermont country. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, October 16-18
ESSEX JUNCTION--The Sparky's Blues Jam has 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 about the blues jam. Then Dan Parks returns for an early set on Friday at 5 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info about Friday night.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. CombustOmatics brings the fire onThursday evening at 6 p.m. Jeff Salisbury and Friends take the stage on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
Friday, October 17
ENOSBURG--The Rail Trail Pub hosts Paint the Town Pink Karaoke on Friday at 7 pm. There will be singing, laughter, community spirit, a 50/50 raffle, and pink-themed drinks. The benefit supports the Franklin County Area Cancer Network. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale hosts a Wine & Cheese Singles Mixer with "music and maybe even a spark or two" at Champlain Country Club on Friday night at 7 p.m. Admission is $20. 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. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey hosts the Crowe Hill Band playing to raise money for Sophia Ryan's medical expenses on Saturday at 7 p.m. Ms. Ryan is undergoing ocular melanoma treatment at Children's Hospital in Boston. Admission is by donations at the door. This party is open to everyone. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Old Post presents Sibling Reverie on Friday at 7 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, October 17-19
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has SoulRockerz for late night music on Friday at 9 p.m. plus two shows live on Saturday night with Tim Brick live acoustic at 5 p.m. and Before This Time 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 October. Bob Chevalier plays Friday and the Rustics are live on Saturday. Music starts about 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 Blue Heron on Friday and Laura Fedele-Rasco is back to play all your favorite songs 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 18
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. George Murtie plays the soundtrack for face painting this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents the 2025 Youth Talent Search on Saturday at 7 p.m. The live performance includes 20 acts, with vocal, instrumental, dance, spoken word, and more. The House has celebrated local youth talent for 30+ years. $1500 in total cash prizes will be awarded across two age categories: 5-13 and 14-21 plus the Rising Stars, People's Choice, and Founder's Awards. Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Five sick bands shred 14th Star for a "killer metal showcase" with Miracle Blood, Nugreth, Practical Gore, Melkor and Necroborne live in The Room on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 (cash only). Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The First Congregational Church hosts an Open-Mic and Coffeehouse with music, spoken word, story telling, skits on Saturday night at 7 p.m. It's an evening to sing along and listen, and to enjoy a pot-luck dinner, snacks, and soft drinks. Call Greg Beeman (802.324.0308) or find them on Facebook for more info.
Sunday, October 19
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River can put us in jail with live music from the Smokey Newfield Project for the Franklin County Animal Rescue Kennel Lockup on Sunday at 2 - 6 p.m. Friendly faces will be "locked up" while raising enough money to set them free. There will be live music, a 50/50 raffle, food and drinks from the Taphouse, and the competition to see who will be set free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Church Street Sounds of the Season presents the Vermont Cello Duet at the First Congregational Church on Sunday at 3 p.m. As Vermont's only cello duet, Sierra Hiner and Ines Horozovic are known their range of styles from Bach and Vivaldi to Taylor Swift. This is the final concert on their schedule this year.
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Virtual events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Tonya Mosley recently interviewed the 24th US Poet Laureate Ada Limón on NPR's Fresh Air. Click here for the broadcast about her new collection, Startlement.
Ms. Limón will visit UVM for a free public talk on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Click here to register for this free in-person event.
The Capellen Orchestra in the Czech Republic recorded My Departed Love composed by Nancy Hassett-Dahm. It's on YouTube.
"While I wrote it for my husband after he passed, It has a universal message. It is about desperation, yearning, and grief, as well as tender loving memories shared. These feelings have been experienced by most of humanity since the beginning of mankind. In the end, I am sending the music to follow him into the Heavens.
"It is a piece about hope…in the end. Listen to it for your own interpretation for what has meaning for you. Spread it as a message of love and healing, and watch it grow…..It is a powerful statement of Love, Loss and Eternal Love.."
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library Reading & Discussion Group takes up Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Raised on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith is returned to Earth to experience a profound sense of unfamiliarity and disorientation. The phrase originates from the Book of Exodus but Heinlein's wife Virginia triggered the story when she suggested a child raised by Martians instead of wolves. "Stop by and pick up a copy today." 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 The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins this morning at 10:30 a.m. When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she's not only North Carolina's richest woman, she's also its most notorious. And maybe the state's record holder for the most names. 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--Two Swanton Free Public Library book clubs meet this week.
The monthly SPL Book Club meets to discuss First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston on Monday at 6 p.m. It is a tale of deceit and secrets. The mystery/thriller was her adult debut novel and a number one New York Times bestseller. Click here for more info.
But I Progress takes up Whose Story Is This? by writer/activist Rebecca Solnit on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The readings generally focus on writers who "identify as women, with particular attention to Women of Color and nonbinary women, who are under represented in literature. Today women's works are priced lower, more seldom purchased, and not receiving proper credit." There will be snacks, reviews, discussion, ideas, and good conversation. Click here for more info.
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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