| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | November 27, 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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Kick off the holiday shopping season in style as Small Business Saturday promotes our artists and communities and offers special promotions and events on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Franklin County artists also have Cyber Monday promotions. And let us never forget that making art is a passion but selling art is a (small) business. ART FOR SALE
ENOSBURG--Shop the Falls as local businesses bring a new holiday shopping experience. The Main St. lights will glow, holiday music will play, and Santa will check out the shops in town. There are shopping passports, a children's scavenger hunt, horse drawn wagon rides, a refreshment station and more.
JEFFERSONVILLE and STOWE--Bryan Gallery's main showcase in Jeffersonville is open Saturday 11 - 4 and the Stowe Gallery is open Saturday, 11 - 5.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild art center and gallery showcases the work of over 145 artist members in Milton Square. They are open Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence art and fine craft cooperative features works by 38 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery is open Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The Masonic Lodge Holiday Bazaar and Black Friday Craft Fair will have 16 craft vendors on Saturday at 10 - 3 p.m. There will be a 50/50 raffle and pull tabs and the kitchen will be open for food purchases.
ST ALBANS--The annual Small Business Saturday Sip & Shop will fill The Room at 14th Star Brewery on Saturday at 11 - 4 p.m. at 14th Star! There will be selection of holiday gifts and handmade goods from local small businesses including Maple City Music, Maple Glazed Pottery, Tuesdays with Tracy, and more.
CYBER MONDAY--The Corliss Blakely Gallery offers a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday. Take 30% off all of her prints on canvas, nature scarves, oil paintings, watercolors, and prints with coupon code CYBERMONDAY at https://www.artistinvermont.com
The internationally recognized artist from Vermont is known for her classically realist still life and landscape paintings in oil, watercolor, and egg tempera. A seventh-generation Vermonter who trained in Boston, she is also known for her use of the iPad for digital painting and has created other art-related products, such as wearable art and nature scarves. Her work often features the homes, farms, and antiques of her ancestors in Northern Vermont. Her site also has a video showing her process of the oil painting Harvest. email for more info.
CYBER MONDAY--My own North Puffin Gallery has 25% off on Cyber Monday. Take 25% off all my fine art photos as canvas prints, framed prints, posters, wood prints, metal prints, acrylic prints, and tapestries at https://northpuffin.pixels.com. No coupon code required. The sale begins at 12:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time on Monday and ends at midnight Monday night. Each image is available as a canvas print, framed print, metal print, tapestry, or even with the texture and added depth of a wood print. Choose from any images in my collections of Foliage, Aminals & Birds, Landscapes, Safe Harbors, Sunsets, and so much more. email for more info.
CYBER MONDAY--The Natalie LaRocque Gallery Cyber Monday Sale offers 25% off her canvas prints, framed prints, art prints, posters, wood prints, metal prints, and acrylic prints at https://tinyurl.com/NatalieLaRocque. No coupon code required. The sale begins at 12:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time on Monday and ends at midnight Monday night. Choose from Tranquil Sail, Rise Above, Watching the Herd, Through the Light, No Words, and many more.
Ms. LaRococque is inspired by the natural beauty of Vermont's scenic landscapes, skyscapes, and wildlife, which she has been photographing and painting since 1986. Along with acrylic paintings, she offers digital photography, pen & ink, and pastels. Her paintings are often rendered from her collection of over 2,000 digital photographs. Some of hand painted acrylics on oversized canvases measure up to six and seven feet in height or width. email for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Festival of Trees ushers in the holiday season beginning with the Tree Walk on Saturday. FESTIVALS
The Tree Lighting and Hallmark in the Park takes over Taylor Park with Santa and the elves, a bonfire, Studio 3 dancers, free hot chocolate and Red House Sweets cookies, kids activities, the lighted tunnel, human sized snow globes, a letters to Santa booth, reindeer food, and much more, all on Saturday at 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Girl Scout Troop 30456 and Boy Scout Troop 842 host Winter Games in Taylor Park to shake off the winter blues on Monday at 4:30 - 6 p.m. There will be a live chess game, s'mores , the musical dot game, a fake snowball fight (unless we get real snow), cup stacking, and more.
The Festival of Trees has two Holiday Paint Parties, both on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Paint a Holiday Snowman in the City Hall Council Chamber. Awaken Yoga and Creative Arts Studio hosts the Good Night Snowman. The cost is $45 for each.
The Holiday Band Showcase with the BFA Modern Band, the MVU Jazz Ensemble, and more, takes over City Hall on Monday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
St. Albans Rec and the Welden Theater present the free Holiday Movie, Arthur Christmas, the animated movie that saves Christmas, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. First come first served, until the seats run out.
Children of all ages are invited to wear their holiday pajamas for PJ Story Time at the St. Albans Free Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m. There will be songs, stories, snacks, a holiday craft and maybe even the man in a red suit.
The all-volunteer organization offers a week of free family and cultural entertainment and raises funds for the Josh Pallotta Fund--Josh's House. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--Christmas in the Park is the annual kick-off of the holiday season on Saturday at 3 - 5 p.m. There will be twinkling holiday lights, cookies, hot chocolate, carolers, wagon rides around the park, a highlander cow with a camera, and a visit with the guest of honor, Santa. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Crossroads Photography Club Exhibit is live at the Haston Library. Visit during library hours, Monday 10-2, Tuesday 1-6, Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-1, and Saturday 9-1. ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on acrylic painter and mixed media artist Tess Follensbee. 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. Starting on Monday, December 1, the gallery on South Main Street will be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Christmas Eve. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
STOWE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features a Wall of Art by Eric Tobin, Orentas Balaisis, Brian Hewitt, Nathaniel Williams, and David Pound "right as you walk in" the Stowe Area Association 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, Thursday and Sunday, 11 - 4, and Friday and Saturday, 11 - 5. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--Enosburgh Recreation offers two Wreath & Kissing Ball Classes with Robert Willey in the Emergency Services Building on Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mr. Willey will show the step-by-step process to make a wreath or kissing ball and participants will create one of their own to take and display for the season. The cost is $40 and includes all supplies needed (if you have your own clippers, or preferred decorations, you are encouraged to bring them). Registration is required. Click here to sign up and for more info. ART YOU CREATE
ENOSBURG--Actually, "Art You Can Eat." The Enosburgh Public Library and the Enosburg Business & Community Association's Gingerbread House contest is back. Drop off your decorated house at the library starting November 28. Find them on Facebook for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts a paint night and a yarn extravaganza this week.
Turn off the lights and turn on the party for the Glowing Mountains, a Glow in the Dark Paint and Sip with Sylvia Oblak, at MAG on Sunday at 3 p.m. No experience needed. Supplies will be provided along with a glow necklace and black light bulb to take home. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. Click here to register and for more info.
Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd meets on Wednesday at 5 - 7 p.m. The free, drop-in workshop is for projects to knit, crochet, or craft with fiber. All skill levels are welcome. No registration is required.
HIGHGATE--MVUHS presents Screenagers 3 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 documentary movies bring students, parents, teachers, and stakeholders together to learn and start conversations about these important topics. Dr. Harris Strokoff will lead a community discussion after the film. Screenagers 3 is for all audiences. FILM
MILTON--Shea Harvie has joined the Milton Artisan Guild as the new Gallery Director. "Shea will bring a deep commitment to fostering inclusive artistic spaces and elevating local talent," said MAG president Kelli Shepherd. Ms. Harvie also brings business, storefront, and leadership experience, as well as marketing knowledge. She started work on November 19. PEOPLE
Her own artwork features abstract realism, expressionism, and portraiture characterized by vibrant colors that evoke strong emotions. She also paints commissioned works. Her philosophy that "everyone is an artist" aligns with the Guild's mission.
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 begins a new, three-workshop series, Watercolor: Beyond Basics 02, with Vermont artist Evie Mason. Session 1 is on Wednesday at 6 - 7:30 p.m. The intermediate workshop will focus on layering and glazing techniques, color mixing, brush control and edge work, creating depth, light, and atmosphere, and composition and storytelling. Some prior watercolor experience is recommended. All materials provided, or "feel free to bring your own favorites."
Tuition is $40 for a single workshop or $105 for all three. Click here to enroll and for more info.
ONLINE--Season Three is here! Join host Alex Foltz for Season 3, Episode 1 of Foltz Studio, the new series of outdoor oil painting lessons. This episode finds him at the French Hill Waterfall for Plein-Air painting on YouTube. 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.
Episodes air at 4 p.m. on Mondays and on demand at NW Access TV online.
Email the station to recommend locations or to pitch a show idea of your own.
Black Friday, November 28 ON STAGE LIVE
ENOSBURG--Laura Fedele-Rasco returns to play all your favorite songs from the 50s to present day at the Rail Trail Pub on Friday at 6 pm. 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. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Old Post presents 90 Proof on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap gets jerborned as the entire Jerband returns for late night music on Friday night at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday-Sunday, November 28-30
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in November. Spencer Lewis plays Friday. Jody Albright and John Penoyar perform live on Saturday night. 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 Acoustic Mayhem on Friday and Dan Parks 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.
Small Business Saturday, November 29
SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard welcomes pianist Cathy Weymouth to the tasting room on Small Business Saturday at 1 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River hosts the Buck Hollers on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents 3GR, the 3 Generation Revue, Live at the Pub on Saturday at 6 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation of $10 at the door. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Cyber Monday, December 1
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company continues the Lakeshore Community Event Series Singer-Songwriter Competition at 14th Star on Monday at 6 p.m. 24 singer-songwriters will compete weekly for a live studio album in Nashville, studio time at West Street Digital, a Taylor electric acoustic guitar, gift certificates, and more including cash prizes paid directly to the top three finalists from the Rachel Bissex White Light Fund. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, December 2
SOUTH HERO--Doug's Open Mic Night features Jeff Shelley at Two Heroes Brewery on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Local songwriters and musicians take the stage every other Tuesday. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, December 3
SWANTON--Located in the historic Champlain Theater building, the Green Mountain Bistro has live music on "Burger Night," every Wednesday night from 6 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Local libraries will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday and most on Friday but their online services will be available. 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 Eloquent Page True Crime Book Club meets to discuss Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi by Susan Hendricks on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The former CNN anchor reporter takes an investigative deep-dive into the still-unsolved mysterious deaths of teenagers Abby Williams and Libby German. Find them on Facebook 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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