| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | September 10, 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.
... FROM THE ARTBITS DESK ...
E-Mail Delivery
Sign up to receive the free weekly ArtBits
newsletter by e-mail
or by RSS feed.
SPARK
SWANTON--The joint Swanton Free Public Library and Vermont Humanities exhibit of SPARK calibrates its grand opening at the library on Friday at 5 p.m. The immersive Smithsonian traveling exhibit explores innovation in art, heritage, social issues, and technology in rural communities. This exhibit is open to all ages. The library event includes the chance to contribute to a community mural, Missisquoi Abenaki Nation exhibits, Swanton Historical Society displays, interactive games, and more.
The exhibit will remain open through October 17 during regular library hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here or Click here for more info.
ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery introduces quarterly artists' receptions starting this Saturday with Gather: A Community Art Social--The Encouragement Edition on Saturday at 12 noon - 4 p.m. Gather celebrates the featured local artists for July, August, and September: Colleen Blatchly, Terry Buehner, Barry Genzlinger, and Martha McGinn, Kristina Bolduc, Rebecca Chomyn, and Tess Follensbee, Lindsay DiDio, Wendy Everhart, Chris Jenkins, and Cat McKeen.
The afternoon will have festive seasonal treats, a kid-friendly gallery scavenger hunt, and a mini-masterpiece drawing station plus the chance to Win Art Baskets Get a free raffle ticket just for walking in, plus earn bonus entries with any gallery purchase or donation.
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 2026 Land, Light, Water, & Air First Place and Alden Bryan Medal winner James E. Daly for The North Country. It is in the Main Gallery in Jeffersonville 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.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Heidi Hotmer of Heidi's Haberdashery with an "ever changing artisanal collection of eclectic handmade jewelry, accessories, gifts and objects d’art." The SAC has established an artistic presence in Swanton and works to develop the artistic community.
ART IS A BENEFIT
ST. ALBANS--The Library Lover's Art Auction at the Artist in Residence and the St Albans Free Library is drawing to a close. It will support the library's brick restoration project.
Stop by the library's first floor between now and Tuesday to view original artwork created by local Vermont artists. Buy $5 tickets at the library and drop them into the Mason jars next to the artwork you hope to win. There is also a silent auction for two large paintings. Winners will be drawn on September 15. All proceeds from the month-long, raffle-style art auction go directly to the historic project.
As a bonus, make a purchase at the Artist In Residence gallery during the event, bring your receipt to the library, and receive a free raffle ticket.
ART YOU CREATE
FAIRFIELD--Coffee & Crafting meets at Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Saturday at 10 a.m. Fiber arts and crafting enthusiasts bring their own projects and connect to share skills and create memories. The library has coffee, tea, and biscotti. Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts the Fall Paint & Sip with Julia Davenport on Saturday at 3 - 5 p.m. The beginner-friendly workshop will be guided step by step to create an autumnal scene. All skill levels are welcome. All supplies (minus the beverages) are provided. The cost is $45. Click here to register and for more info.
SWANTON--Artist Judy Paxman leads Neurographic Art, in a free 90-minute Swanton Arts Council class at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 5:30 p.m. The therapeutic technique "transforms stress into abstract visuals." Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Maple Glazed Pottery September Birthday Party invites painters with September birthdays on Saturday at 11 a.m. The cost of $20 includes one piece of pottery, glazes, instruction, kiln firing, and birthday sweet treats. Registration is appreciated but not required. Find them on Facebook 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.
DANCE
ST. ALBANS--The Depot offers Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg on Thursdays at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The class will teach progressive dance rhythms to varied genres of today's music. Line dance is not limited to country music. Each session will include intermediate level lessons and dance, absolute to high beginner level lessons and dance teaching basic dance steps, improver level lessons and dance, and open dance and requests. Dance steps are called as needed and requests are welcomed. No experience needed. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is $10 per class. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURG--Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner and Beyond Line Dancing at the American Legion Landon Post #60 on Fridays at 6 p.m. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is by $5 donation per class, which is donated to the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTH HERO--Jessica Hall, Nancy Dow and Michelle Nordberg host Elevate Your Line Dancing, an intermediate workshop, in North Hero Community Hall on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The four-plus hours of focused instruction is the 1st in a series of small group offerings. The cost is $25. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Manor offers Line Dance Wednesdays with Michelle Nordberg on Wednesday at the new time of 6 p.m. "to satisfy higher skill levels before and after our no-experience-needed beginner line dance session." The class will teach progressive dance rhythms to varied genres of today's music. Line dance is not limited to country music. No experience needed. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is $10 per class. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
ST. ALBANS BAY--The Town of St. Albans will host its inaugural Renaissance Faire with live music from Prydein at Bay Park on Saturday from 3 - 7 p.m. There will be over 70 artisan craft vendors, live music from the area favorite Celtic-rock band, performances, and a live joust. Click here for more info.
FILM
MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Center for the Arts presents Best Day Ever, a documentary on adaptive mountain biking, at the Montgomery Rec Center on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The 2025 follows mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi in Vermont and examines the world's first fully adaptive trail network. Admission is free. Click here for the trailer and Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Franklin County for Palestine presents the film Lyd in the First Congregational Church on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The science fiction documentary by Palestinian writer Rami Younis and Jewish filmmaker Sarah Ema Friedland reimagines the once-bustling Palestinian city of Lyd, exploring what it was, what it is now, and what it could have been. Click here for the trailer and more info.
GATHERINGS
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.
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--The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Fall 2026 season continues with Denise Smith, Executive Director, Vermont Council on Rural Development, to discuss Revitalizing Rural Economies from the Ground Up in the Greg Brown Lodge this morning at 11 a.m. What does it really take to revitalize rural communities? Ms. Smith will discuss local leadership, community voices, and sustained support help and will share stories about housing, economic resilience, and climate response.
The weekly series will offer eight lectures, mostly on Thursdays. A St. Albans series membership is $40 for all eight events, or $12 per program if purchased individually. Call 802.656.8407 or Email for registration questions. Click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MORRISVILLE--Fall Colors in Watercolor | Session 3 with Evie Mason concludes at River Arts on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The three-part intermediate watercolor workshop focuses on capturing the warmth and depth of fall. The cost is $45 for a single workshop or $120 for all three. Click here to register and for more info.
ENOSBURG--Fine art photographer Wayne Tarr leads the free Light, Sky, Sculpture Photography Workshop at Cold Hollow Sculpture Park on Saturday at 2 - 4 p.m. The class will explore how light transforms the way visitors see and experience the sculptures and the landscape at the park. Admission is free but registration is required. Click here for free tickets.
JEFFERSONVILLE--60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The cost of $10 per person or less includes a "split model fee."
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild has three workshops this week.
Fiadhnait Moser leads the Impasto Oil Painting workshop to paint the Coast of Ireland on Friday at 6 p.m. The class will explore composition and color theory to create impressionistic oil paintings using just a palette knife and paint. All supplies are provided. The cost is $50. Click here to register and for more info.
Social Sunday continues 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.
Becky Chappell leads Oil & Cold Wax Basics on Sunday at 6 p.m. The class will learn the fundamentals to build depth, texture, and luminous layers while experimenting with a variety of surfaces, tools, and techniques. All supplies are provided. The cost is $55. Click here to register and for more info.
MONTGOMERY--The three-part Mindful Making Art Workshop Series continues at Montgomery Center for the Arts on Sunday at 1 p.m. This class on water and color flow will begin with an exercise to encourage relaxation and creative flow. Students can then explore various materials or continue working with the technique introduced in class. Each class is $15. Click here to register and for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday-Saturday, September 10-12
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Mitch Terricciano tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Two for Flinching at 5 p.m., and then the Nickel & Dime returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with James Shelly at 5 p.m., and Last Kid Picked at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Thursday-Wednesday, September 7-16
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in October. Michael Perry leads Open Mic Night tonight. Hammer Lane speeds in on Friday. Kelsie Sibbald plays Saturday. Jaden Ravins return on Sunday. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. Tuesday is Trivia Night with Cameron. And Jim Charonko is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, September 11
NORTH HERO--Bettenroo lives out loud on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Friday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
COLCHESTER--Justice 3 returns to the live and free Friday Night Live Music for their final show of the year at the Spanked Puppy on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS BAY--Bayside has music! Bayside has sunsets! Nick and Friends play Bayside on Friday evening at 6 - 8 p.m. right through the 7:12 p.m. sunset. 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 Live in the Pub this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX--Members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra will join The Sweet Remains in the T-Rex Theater at the Double E on Friday at 7 p.m. The band will have Eve, the Steinway grand piano. Admission is $30 plus service fees. Seating is general admission. Click here for tickets. Click here or Email for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Hot Neon Magic lights up the Old Post on Friday at 7 p.m. on the outdoor stage if the weather agrees. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, September 11-13
NEWPORT--Kingdom Brewing presents the SweetBloods on Friday and Scenic Dream for Live Music at the BrewCabin on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has a double header this weekend.
Nathan Michaud plays classic rock and familiar favorites on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Smokey Newfield Project for "one of those nights that is just plain fun from start to finish" on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. CombustOmatics take the stage on Friday and the five piece string band Remember Baker plays 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 Laura Fedele-Rasco plays all your favorite songs on Friday and 3rd Shift Vermont is back by popular demand, 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, September 12
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. Nathan Michaud plays this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Family Lodge has a double header on Saturday. The Bierhall Summer Music Series takes music to the Biergarten on Saturday afternoon with Jaded Ravins at 4:30 p.m. The Jazz Saturdays Series presents the Paul Asbell Trio on the Patio or in the Sunroom on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents A.J.Benworm Live at the Pub for an evening of classic rock, folk, blues, and much more on Saturday at 6 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation of $10. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--Hard Scrabble brings bluegrass and acoustic covers to the Jericho Cafe and Tavern live on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Corey & Friends in the Taproom on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The original material only band has vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Corey Gottfried, percussionist Mark Barton; and bass guitarist John Peduzzi. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Sunday, September 13
NORTH HERO--The Blue Rock Boys return to the Pier Bar at the North Hero House with old fiddle tunes, rock and roll, vintage county, R&B, and everything in between on Sunday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, September 15
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, September 16
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.
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, Snuffling Up Bones, on NW Access TV and on YouTube . It is the first book in The Pig and I Mysteries series with Doris Flynn and her 450-pound pet pig, Buttercup.
Books & Beyond hosts Becky Rupp and Abbey Gaudette discuss Mugs, the dog who bit people, and celebrate National Chicken Month with a wide array of chicken books on their newest episode. The monthly show features books Ms. Rupp and Ms. Gaudette are reading, and info about book clubs, events, and offerings at the Swanton Free Public Library. It's on NW Access TV and on YouTube.
NW Access TV was there when the Champlain Youth and Community Choirs performed their summer concert at the First Congregational Church on August 25, 2026. It's on YouTube.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library turns 130 years old this month.
FAIRFIELD--The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book Discussion Group takes up In Trees by Robert Moor on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The writer of On Trails explores the wilds of nature and the gnarls of history to discover how trees can teach us to grow wise. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page True Crime Book Club meets to discuss Broadway Butterfly by Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award winner Anthony M. DeStefano on Friday at 6 p.m. Vivian Gordon, the lady gangster of jazz age New York, was strangled and beaten and dumped in Van Cortlandt Park. She left behind a damning diary tying more than 300 officials, philanthropists, businessmen, and every major gangland figure including disgraced NYC mayor Jimmy Walker. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library Banned Books Group ("read them if you dare") meets to discuss Maus by cartoonist Art Spiegelman on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The graphic novel depicts Mr. Spiegelman interviewing his father about his experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. It is the first graphic novel to have won a Pulitzer Prize. The Book Group meets after hours at the library. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library Pocket Book Club takes up The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The historical mystery novel set in a brutal winter in Hallowell, Maine was inspired by the real life and diary of 18th-century midwife Martha Ballard. 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 ... |
||
Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
||
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us
|
This article may also have originally been published in the traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2025 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved.
Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine). Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium. Visit our Trademarks and Copyright page for more information. |