| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | January 22, 2026 |
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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ART FOR SALE
FLETCHER--Blue Moon Pottery is having a "Second Sale" on Saturday at 9 - 11 a.m. They create wheel thrown, hand built or a combination stoneware pottery in a studio in their converted barn. They promise "lots and lots of seconds."
ST. ALBANS--14th Star hosts the Sunday Makers Market in the Taproom on Sunday at 12 noon - 3 p.m. Shop pop-up booths from local crafters/makers with new vendors every Sunday. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on potter Gillian Ireland. 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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features the photograph River Road by JuanCarlos Gonzalez. 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 closed for winter break but 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.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild Mini Masterpieces Silent Auction includes miniature artworks by the MAG community members. Bidding continues through Saturday. The MAG art center and gallery showcases the work of over 145+ 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.
ART YOU CREATE
FAIRFIELD--Hearthside Handcrafts meet at Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Fiber arts and crafting enthusiasts bring their own projects and connect to share skills and create memories on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Click here for more info.
HIGHGATE--Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Materials and a hot coffee, tea, or cocoa are provided by HLCC. The program runs every Tuesday morning and is free adult library patrons. Email or call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd 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.
DANCE
ST. ALBANS--Rail City Indivisible presents a Contradance to Benefit Migrant Justice with Will Patton, Neil Rossi, and Franklin Heyburn and caller Mark Sustic at City Hall Auditorium on Friday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30 and dance instruction begins at 6:45. Admission is by $25 suggested donation. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage and soft soled shoes for dancing. Email for more info.
FILM
ST. ALBANS--The Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation present the film Gone Guys at the Double E T-RexTheater on today and tomorrow at 6 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Boys and young men are steadily disengaging from school, work, and the broader society. The documentary draws on the work of Richard V. Reeves' Of Boys and Men, to illuminate their challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. The film will be followed by a community discussion in the Double E Lounge.
Admission is by supporter level. Click here to watch the trailer and click here to reserve tickets and for more info.
HUMANITIES
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities presents Juan David Coronado for "I'm Not Gonna Die in This Damn Place:" The History of Mexican American Vietnam War POWs online 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Spring 2026 Registration is open. Pre-registration is required. Walk-in registration will no longer be accepted. The weekly series will offer eight lectures, mostly on Thursdays. 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.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
FAIRFIELD--Heart and Soil Farm begins the Thursday Night Art Series with Kristina Bolduc to lead the two-part Clay Earring and Pendant Forming this evening at 6 p.m. Participants will create three pairs of personalized earrings or two pairs and pendant. This Thursday is dedicated to rolling out, cutting, shaping, patterning, and building the pieces. The second night will glaze the pieces. The cost is $90 for the two workshops. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--ReMarketVT offers workshops in the "basement" creative space. This week, Marie Speer will lead the Barn Quilt Painting on 8-Inch Canvas Workshop on Saturday at noon. The hands on workshop will draw and paint a barn quilt design on canvas. The cost is $50. Click here to register and 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist in Residence Gallery offers workshops in the "basement" creative space at ReMarketVT. This week, Shanna Ratner will lead the rescheduled Introduction to Block Printing on Tuesday at noon. No experience is required; all supplies are provided. The cost is $50. Click here to register and for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday, January 22
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro often hosts Acoustic Thursday on Thursday evenings at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
NORTH HERO--The North Hero House hosts Live Music on Thursdays. This week, the series continues as Cooie Sings traditional tunes, popular songs, and originals live this evening at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, January 22-25
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Dan Parks tonight at 6 p.m., then Summer Sounds favorites IncaHOOTS return for late night music on Friday starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Jesse Agan at 5 p.m., and Magnetic Horse at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, January 23
COLCHESTER--Chris and Issy play a wide array of acoustic music 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.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents the Rusty Bucket Live at the Pub on Friday at 6 p.m. Crusty, Trusty, Dusty, and Gusty of Bakersfield bring a unique "bluegrass flavored live performance." Free sticker to whomever guesses whose name is whose. Admission is by suggested donation of $10. Click here 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 Nathan Michaud live in the Pub this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Swell plays the Winter Wine Down Music series at Snow Farm Vineyard Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. The summer music series continues with well known musicians, wine, and food every Friday. No cover. Click here for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Sticks and Stones returns to the Old Post to dance off the winter blues on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Saturday, January 23-24
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in January. Cooper, Bob Recupero plays Friday and Jerborn goes live on Saturday. Music starts about 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NEWPORT--Kingdom Brewing presents Tim Brick on Friday and Sibling Reverie for Live Music at the BrewCabin on Saturday. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Ryan Hanson on Friday and Sean Jarvis 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, January 24
HIGHGATE--The Mill River Brewing Winter Warm Up Tour brings the party to the Highgate Manor with Bare Bones on Saturday at 1 p.m. They're "turning up the heat with great beer, delicious food, and live music - all under one roof." Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents Kyle Stevens opening for Stir Crazy live on Saturday. Music starts at 4 p.m. and continues until 10. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents another night of punk, pop-punk, and rock as four high-energy bands--Lake City All Stars, Vallory Falls, Mr. Doubtfire, and Fall District--fill The Room on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Doors at 7. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, January 28
ENOSBURG--Sage Machia hosts Country Karaoke Nights at the Rail Trail Pub on Wednesday at 7 pm. The boot scootin' boogie happens every Wednesday. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Virtual music and events continue this week.
Local writer DonnaRae Menard continues the weekly read with Episode 9 from her St. Albans mystery novel, Beneath The Fountain, on NW Access TV and on YouTube.
NW Access TV was there when Antara & Chris Cheney played the Northwest Farmers Market in Taylor Park on July 13, 2024. It's on YouTube.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FAIRFIELD--Franklin County Photogs 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 or click here for the Zoom link and 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 Mystery Book Club meets for A Book Club to Die For (really) by Dorothy St. James on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The cozy mystery follows librarian Trudell Beckett as she solves the murder of the leader of an exclusive book club. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts Tracy Sorell for a "Virtual Author Visit" on Friday at 3:45 p.m. An enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, she will talk about her fiction and nonfiction works for children and teens including the award winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, Classified and Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series. 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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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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