| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | May 7, 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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FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
HIGHGATE--The All State Music Festival at MVU continues each day through Saturday. The annual event gives musicians from Vermont's high schools the opportunity to perform in a band, orchestra, chorus or jazz ensemble under the direction of some of our nation's finest conductors. Three days of intensive rehearsals lead up to a series of performances involving all four groups.
There will be a Scholarship Performance in the Trahan Theater this evening at 7 p.m.
The a Capella and Modern Band Performance comes to the Trahan Theater on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday offers both the Chorus and Jazz Ensemble Concert in the Gym at 1:30 p.m. and the Orchestra / Concert Band Concert at 4:30 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The 5th annual Kingman Fest free outdoor block party and concert will fill Kingman Street on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Jesse Agan, Morgan Myles, and April Cushman return to the stage with a new show of multi-genre, iconic hits, backed by Andre Maquera, Caleb Bronz, Thom Carvey and Will Austin. The signature summer event will have food for sale, a cash bar, and a whole street full of family activities including magic, a bouncy house, lizards, a mechanical bull, and much more. Admission is free. Click here for more info.
BURLINGTON--The Young Tradition Festival fills the Queen Ciity with performances by Alex Kehler & Nicholas Williams, a Community Dance Party, the Young Tradition Touring Group, and more on Friday and Saturday.
Contois Auditorium hosts the Community Dance Party on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Burlington Farmers Market the Student/Mentor Showcase on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
FamJam is in the SEABA Center on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Evening Concert features L'Ensemble Trad Jeunesse, the Young Tradition Touring Group, and Alex Kehler & Nicholas Williams in Contois Auditorium on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $25 in advance or by suggested donation of $25 at the door.
The annual Young Tradition Festival is a celebration of young artists and multi-generational relationships in the traditional music and dance communities, as well as an opportunity for youth, families, and the public to immerse themselves in a wide range of traditional music and dance. Click here for more info.
ART ON THE WALLS
SWANTON--The Friends of Missisquoi host the annual Art on the Refuge with an artist reception and pre-show viewing at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Friday evening. The celebration of World Migratory Bird Day highlights the birds that live in or migrate through the area and the habitats that support them. The artwork is available for purchase. The exhibit begins Saturday and continues through July 10. Email Carol Yarnell or click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on woodworker Courtney Adams and jewelers Karen Mulkey and Holly Spier with a live reception at the gallery this evening at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. A.I.R. will continue celebrating the monthly Featured Artists online and on Facebook.
The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 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 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.
SWANTON--Art on the Refuge hosts artist Jon Young for a Live Painting Tutorial at the Refuge on Friday at 5 - 7 p.m. The "Great Blue Heron" project is a step-by-step tutorial to create a 16" x 20" acrylic painting on canvas. No experience is needed, just enthusiasm. All materials are provided. Participants must register in advance. Click here to regster and for more info.
NORTH HERO--The North Hero House hosts a special Mother's Day Paint & Sip: "Spring Birches" with local artist Elizabeth Cleary on Friday at 6 p.m. The cost is $40. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. Click here to register and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Mother's Day Paint-Your-Own Pottery Pop-Up at Maple Glazed Pottery includes a selection of serving dishes, pie plates, planters, and more on Sunday at 11 a.m. The cost of $50 includes one piece of pottery, glazes, instruction, and kiln firing. Find them on Facebook for reservations and more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts two workshops this week.
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 or the Swanton Library , to register or for more info.
"Make Ugly Art!" Art for Big Feelings fills the maker space with a two-part class beginning Wednesday at 5:30 - 7 p.m. The workshop is a chance to express emotion, practice coping techniques. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Click here to register or 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.
ENOSBURG--Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Have a warm drink, learn a new craft (or work on honing an existing one), and chat. Any craft is welcome. Click here 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.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
AIA VERMONT FLIP THE SWITCH (now through June 1)--The Furniture Design Competition and Silent Auction will build a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces from discarded materials to offer durable furnishings to Vermonters. This year's theme is a free-standing illuminating device. Click here to enter and for more info.
CALL FOR SINGERS
FRANKLIN--The Franklin Community Chorus rehearses at Dick Wright Pub every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for Memorial Day. The chorus will have six rehearsals and will perform the Battle Hymn of the Republic with piano accompaniment and a four-part arrangement of the Vermont anthem These Green Mountains in the Franklin Town Hall. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS ALL MALE A CAPELLA GROUP--The group practices at the Masonic Lodge on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. No experience necessary. They will provide learning tracks for the songs and will work with the group every week to help teach parts and work on our choral sound. All are welcome. Email Jim Walsh for more info.
GATHERINGS
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library hosts a Cookbook Potluck this evening at 6 p.m. Check out a cookbook. Pick a great dish or dessert and bring it to the library to share. The group will sample dishes and enjoy the company. Click here for more info.
FAIRFAX--Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The relaxed space is open to all ages and all skill levels to draw, try new art media, and build an artistic community. Bring your own supplies but materials will be provided.
MILTON--Milton Artist's Guild's newest fiber arts gathering, Threads of Welcome, meets at MAG on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fiber artists, knitters, and crocheters join to create handmade items to welcome and support new Americans in the community. The gathering is beginner-friendly. Experienced fiber artists will be available to help and patterns will be provided. They are also accepting donations of yarn, materials, and finished items to share. The group meets every second Saturday of the month.
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.
MORRISVILLE--The River Arts Open Studio continues A Community and Wellness Space for LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Allies on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Admission is free. The program creates "an inclusive, affirming, and creative space that promotes connection, belonging, and wellness through art and reflection." Participants can engage in themed art-making, journaling, and discussion together.
Open Studio will continue every other week through May 27. Click here for more info.
GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library to craft together and give back to the community on Wednesday evenings at 6 - 8 p.m. They have plenty of equipment and materials with the instructions to make homemade fiber crafts to donate to those in need. Or bring your own knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects to the craft circle on Wednesday evenings.
HUMANITIES
ST. ALBANS--2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Saint Albans Museum will host a series of events and installations with a theme of Centennials in honor of the 250th.
Centennials Outdoor Pop-Up Projections continue this evening at 7:30 p.m. Partnering with Downtown Saint Albans, Vanish Works Experience Design, Vermont Humanities, and others, they will project large scale imagery from the centennial years on the Museum and on City Hall. Click here for more info.
SHELBURNE--Saturday is Opening Day and Community Day at the Shelburne Museum. They kick off the 2026 season with a free, all-ages celebration filled with new exhibitions, live music, hands-on activities, and more. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Historical Society celebrates National Train Day at the Railroad Depot Museum on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event will have exhibits, a model train on display, and cookies and snacks. All aboard! Find them on Facebook for more info
VERMONT WEEK
JOHNSON--The Vermont Studio Center's Vermont Week 2026 continues through May 11 with Franklin County Visual Arts Fellows Sah Frechette of Georgia, Todd Kosharek of Fairfax, and Katharine Whitcomb of Swanton for a week-long, fully funded fellowship in residence. In addition to a studio, private lodging, and locally sourced meals, residents have access to the Center's Visiting Artist & Writer program for studio visits, consultations, and manuscript reviews. Click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
JEFFERSONVILLE--Masha Hoffey demonstrates and guides a one-day workshop of Landscape with Mixed Media at Bryan Memorial Gallery on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ms. Hoffey will demonstrate and guide the work using ink, paint, metal leafing and more with room for experimentation. All painting abilities are welcome and all materials are provided. The cost is $175 for members or $195 for non-members. Click here to register and for more info.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts has two workshops this week.
Chiara No leads the free Creative Art Series for 60+ Session 9, Upcycle Tin Can Planters at River Arts on Friday at 10 a.m. The series takes place every Friday morning and covers a variety of art disciplines from painting and ceramics to bookmaking, writing, and even creative clothes mending. Click here for more info and to register for this free workshop.
Karen Gunterman offers a cozy, beginner-friendly Macrame Basics Workshop at River Arts on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The class will cover essential knots and techniques to create a collection of stylish, functional key chains. No prior experience is needed. All materials are provided. The cost is $30. Click here to register and for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts two classes each week.
Community Drawing Night has a live model on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The cost of $10 per person or less includes a "split model fee."
Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow uses watercolor, gouache, and pastel pencils, and include tea and cookies on Tuesday at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.The cost is $30 per person, seniors free. The free Seniors class meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
MILTON--Milton Artists' Guild has two workshops this week.
Social Sundays continue at the 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.
Fiadhnait Moser continues the Acrylic Creatures on Wood workshop on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Paint a little woodland creature on natural 4-6 inch wood rounds using folk art techniques. All supplies are provided. The workshop is offered on Wednesdays from through August 12. The cost is $65 per workshop. Click here to register and for more info.
IN THE SAC
SWANTON--Artist of the Week: Swanton Arts Council furniture designer Robert Arpi is "a hard-wired environmentalist." The SAC has established an artistic presence in Swanton and works to develop the artistic community.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday-Saturday, May 7-9
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Dan Parks tonight at 5 p.m. two shows Friday night, Bob and Shane at 5 p.m., and then the 90 Proof returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Bob Cotton at 5 p.m., and the Kwame Vibe Hot 80s and 90s Dance Party at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Thursday-Wednesday, May 7-13
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in May. Frank Erickson leads Open Mic Night tonight. The John Lackard Blues Band lights the night afire on Friday. Ramblin' Dan Stevens plays through on Saturday. The sound system takes the day off on Sunday and Tuesday. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. And Jim Charonko is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, May 8
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River hosts classic rock band Rushmore 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 John Gratton in the Pub this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Hot Neon Magic makes their debut with a flashback show of 80s hits at the Old Post on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, May 8-10
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in May. Switchel plays Friday. O and Schu (Dave Ogrodowczyk and Mike Schuster) perform live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
COLCHESTER--The May Music Series fills the Spanked Puppy with music this weekend. The Hitmen kick it off on Friday at 6 p.m. and Kyle Stevens ushers in Mother's Day on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. The Matt Hagen Duo takes the stage on Friday and the five piece string band Remember Baker plays bluegrass live on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week, Summer Sounds favorite John Geno from incaHoots plays a solo show on Friday and the world renowned TBA is 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, May 9
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's gets jerborned for their Second Anniversary Bash on Saturday at 11 a.m. on. Jerborn lights the stage on fire from 5 - 8 p.m. and 90 Proof fans the flames from 8 - 11 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub hosts their Bluegrass Jam on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. All instruments and skill levels are welcome. Come to play or to learn. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--CitySide hosts Justice 3 for a Post-Kingman Fest Party Saturday night at 9 p.m. They'll "keep the party going after the 'Main Stage' closes." Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, May 12
SOUTH HERO--Doug's Open Mic Night comes to Two Heroes Brewery on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Sign up in-person only from 5 - 5:30. Open Mic happens every other Tuesday. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, May 13
SOUTH HERO--Tim Fitzgerald plays a solo gig at Two Heroes Brewery on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--Located in the historic Champlain Theater building, the Green Mountain Bistro has live music every Wednesday night from 6 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at 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.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club meets to discuss Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland on Wednesday at 6 p.m. It's the season for treason and the king of Yusan must die.. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts the Tuesday Night Book Group to discuss When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart on Tuesday Evening at 6 p.m. Set during the Civil War, the historical novel focuses on a North Carolina family of subsistence farmers who try to remain neutral. The group reads an eclectic mix of titles and meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Martha Dalton Meeting Room. Copies are available at the circulation desk. The Book Group meets after hours. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
PLAN AHEAD--Meet Vermont Poet Laureate, the poet and cartoonist Bianca Stone, at the Swanton Free Public Library on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. There will be a book discussion of The Near and Distant World. Click here to register and for more info.
PASSAGES
Jason Barney has died after his long battle with cancer. He was "just" a local kid from Highgate Springs who grew up to be a beloved writer, historian, humanitarian, Teacher of the Year, former state legislator, husband and dad. He dedicated his life to teaching, to history and to helping others.
Mr. Barney's wife, Christine Eldred wrote that, "in a beautiful way, I share him with a large community of people who care for him, including some who have known him since childhood, as well as thousands of current and former MVU students, work colleagues, dear friends, and people in Swanton, Highgate, Franklin and all over the county." He connected with people and was uniquely part of our community. He will be missed. Services and arrangements to celebrate his life will be announced in the next day or two.
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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