Get ready to go big! The New Hartford Artisans Guild is thrilled to announce our upcoming Big

Works Art Show, celebrating artwork that makes a bold statement. This is your chance to showcase

your largest, most impactful pieces—the only requirement is that one dimension must be at least

24 inches. Whether it’s towering canvases, sweeping landscapes, or grand sculptural forms, we

want to fill the gallery with work that commands attention. Don’t miss this opportunity to take up

space and let your creativity shine on a larger scale!

This summer, the Mattatuck Museum invites the community to unwind, connect, and dance under the stars with Friday Nights @ The MATT—a lively new series of evening programs designed to bring people together through music, movement, and art. With extended gallery hours, rooftop views, and vibrant energy, Fridays at the Museum promise a perfect blend of culture and fun in the heart of downtown Waterbury. The Museum’s Rooftop Terrace offers the perfect setting to relax after the workweek for Happy Hour @ The MATT, debuting Friday, June 13 from 4 until 6 PM, with stunning views of Waterbury’s Green and historic downtown skyline. Salsa Nights offer an exciting destination for locals and visitors alike, on Fridays, May 30, June 13, July 18, and August 22 from 6 until 9 PM, with the option to explore the Museum’s galleries, which will remain open until 7 PM on Salsa Nights. 

Kenise Barnes Fine Art is thrilled to announce our midsummer exhibition focused on three artists whose keen observation and connection to the natural world invites us to pause and appreciate.

Margot Glass focuses primarily on drawing, using various traditional methods and materials as a foundation for her work, including traditional silverpoint and 14k goldpoint, homemade organic inks and oil and acrylic painting with mixed mica using fine point crow quill pens in place of brushes.

Glass is inspired by the tradition of idealizing nature in art and design as ornament across cultures while seeking to observe and represent her subjects as accurately as possible in all their irregularity and imperfection.

Central to her work is the exploration of ephemeral, fragile subjects, focusing primarily on weeds or ‘waste plants’, and other plants generally considered to be undesirable, to recognize their beauty in all their imperfection and asymmetry. Her focus on these marginal plants is guided by the question of what we value, what we consider ‘belonging’ to mean, and to highlight the beauty of what is present in the disrupted landscape that we find ourselves in today.

Margot Glass grew up in New York City, and studied art at The Art Students' League, Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Fashion Institute of Technology. Glass’s work has been widely exhibited in the United States and internationally. She is a recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council STARS Artist Residency; Lost and Found Lab Artist-in-Residence and an Oak Spring Garden Foundation Interdisciplinary Fellowship. Her work is in private and public collections including the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon, PA, Weatherspoon Art Museum, NC, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, VA, Fidelity Investments Corporate Art Collection, MA, Hotel Del Coronado Collection, CA, Allentown Art Museum, PA, Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN, the Beth Rudin deWoody Collection, among others. She currently lives and works in Western Massachusetts.

Richard Klein has been copper plating organic objects for over three decades utilizing found objects that are intrinsically fragile and impermanent. The process allows Klein to encase natural objects in a thin coating of metallic copper, permanently preserving them. The alchemical transformation being both practical and poetic. 

In his most recent work, the artist juxtaposes electroplated natural findings with photo gravures of urban landscapes addressing our relationship with nature simultaneously reminding us that we are nature and that our detachment from nature is the source of much of the destruction to our planet. In particular, the artist’s interest in both fungi and copper hint at the convergence of natural and technological evolution: fungi, through their mycelium, connect virtually all terrestrial plant life, acting as natural communication networks; while copper is the material that the human-made electrical and digital networks depend on. 

Richard Klein is the former exhibitions director of The Aldrich of Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT. His work has been shown widely in US and is in the public collections of Norton Family Collection, Santa Monica, CA, De Cordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, MA, Connecticut Artists Collection, Hartford, CT and has been featured in The New Criterion, Two Coats of Paint, Hyperallergic, Art Forum, The Brooklyn Rail and Art New England to name a few. The artist lives and works in CT.

Francis Sills’s work is grounded in the perceptual-based, realist tradition. The artist works directly from observation in nature. In dealing with the intricacies and challenges of working from observation and the sustained experience of intense, visual scrutiny, the artist comes to understand and know his world. The flora series is an ongoing group of paintings utilizing the flowers and plants from the artist’s home garden. Sills recently been adding various shaped mirrors to the set ups, which both multiply the forms and fracture the space. Sills’ paintings are dense and subtle, revealing specific nuances of color, light, and form. Often, the underlying geometry and architecture of the composition are apparent in the application of paint, the artist’s analytic thinking about structure and his methodology still evident in the finished work.

Sills’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, has been featured in publications such as Wall Street International Magazine, American Art Collector, The New York Times, I Like Your Work Podcast, and can be found in The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein, New York, NY. Francis Sills earned his MFA at Parsons School of Design, New York, NY and BFA at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. The artist lives and works in South Carolina.

Please contact Lani Holloway, Associate Director, Lani@kbfa.com, 860 560 3085 with inquires or to arrange a preview of the exhibition.

50+ acts. 4 stages. 3 days of music, camping, and community.

That’s what’s in store at the 7th annual Black Bear Music Fest, happening August 22–24 at the scenic Harwinton Fairgrounds in Harwinton, CT.

This summer celebration of Americana music brings together national headliners, rising regional talent, and some of Connecticut’s favorite local bands — all spread across a beautiful, tree-lined fairground that transforms into a vibrant field of sound, food, and family-friendly fun.

🎶 The Music

The lineup spans blues, rock, folk, roots, and bluegrass, featuring:

• Shawn Mullins, Grammy-nominated and known for the platinum hit “Lullaby”
• Howie Day, whose hit “Collide” still pulls heartstrings
• David Wilcox and Jeffrey Gaines, acclaimed for their deeply personal and powerful performances
• The Alpaca Gnomes, Bridgeport’s jam-fueled, 7-piece folk-rock favorite
• The Dreadnoughts, bringing their rowdy blend of folk-punk and sea shanties
• And so many more! Explore the full lineup »

Whether you’re here for the headliners or discovering new favorites, the weekend is packed with nonstop sound and serious heart.

🎪 More Than Music

Formerly a fall tradition in Goshen, Black Bear now shines in the August sun with:

• Local food trucks and craft beverages
• Artisan vendors and handmade goods
• Family-friendly workshops and creative activities
• Tent and RV camping options
• The fan-favorite Bearwear merch building

It’s the kind of festival that feels less like a giant crowd and more like a music-loving village.

🎟️ Tickets & Admission

Get your tickets here!

• 1-Day Pass: $70
• 2-Day Pass: $130
• 3-Day Pass: $170
• Tent Camper Pass: $215
• RV Camper Pass: $260
• Kids 17 & under: FREE

Rain or shine. All ages welcome!

DRIFTLINES, a dual exhibition featuring new works by painter Heather Neilson and photographer Babs Perkins, explores the meditative connections between memory, place, premonition, and afterthought. The two artists are local to the Northwest Corner of Connecticut with studios at Whiting Mills in Winsted. DRIFTLINES will be on display through Friday, September 12.

A reception for the artists will take place on Saturday, August 16, 5-7PM and an artist’s talk featuring the two artists in conversation is scheduled for Thursday, September 4 at 5:30PM. 

🎨✨ August Light: A Sherman Artists Exhibition @ Kent Art Association

🗓 August 8–30

🎉 Opening Reception: Friday, August 8 | 6–8 PM

Celebrate the glow of late summer at August Light, a stunning exhibition presented by Sherman Artists at the Kent Art Association. This show features an inspiring collection of artwork in all genres and mediums—from painting and photography to sculpture and fused glass.

Join us for the opening reception on August 8 to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and explore this vibrant showcase of creativity.

🖼️ See something you love? Take it home!

Purchasing a piece directly supports local artists and helps keep the creative spirit thriving in our community.

Free and open to the public. Come be inspired—and maybe leave with something beautiful.

Fridays from end of May through mid-October. 3:00 TO 6:00 PM Rain* or Shine!

Held at the KENT LAND TRUST FIELD, 37 South Main Street (Route 7 just south of the traffic light) and across the road from Kent Greenhouse & Gardens

Fresh produce, baked goods, homemade preserves, fresh poultry, gourmet mushrooms, herbal teas & products, honey, maple syrup, salsa, guacamole & chips, and more!!

*In case of heavy rains or storms we will be located at CT Antique Machinery Association, 31 Kent Cornwall Rd (Route 7 North) - advance notice will be given.

18-member band performing best of big band jazz & swing

Food Truck: Bill's Mobile Pizza

BYOB & lawn chairs, blanket

Rain (Indoors) or Shine

Full Summer Sunset Concert Series:

Friday June 13: Scott Hopkins Band

Thursday June 19: Nekita Waller & Band

Friday July 25: Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band

Friday August 22: Al Fenton Big Band

Friday September 12: Potter's Field

Morris Beach & Recreation's 2025 Summer Concert Series continues with a Mini Bluegrass Festival!

*Funded by the Morris Land Trust.

First up are The Parkway Ramblers - Bluegrass sprung from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, here in coastal Connecticut.

Followed by local Wires & Wood - Hailing from the rolling hills of Litchfield County Connecticut, Wires and Wood offers an assortment of Traditional and Contemporary Bluegrass songs with a Newgrass Sound. Formed in 2013, the Bantam, CT based quintet performs throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts playing a variety of venues ranging from Breweries to Weddings. The Group consists of Brian White (Guitar), Will Doemland (Mandolin), Matt Lauretano (Banjo) and Ben Boylan (Upright bass), Nick Zacchio (Dobro).

Bring your beach chairs and blankets and join us at the Morris Town Beach Pavilion as we celebrate Summer with some amazing live music! Wooo hooooo!

FOOD TRUCK!

Crepe Royale

Fun begins at 6:00 pm. No tickets or reservations required.

**Please be advised that Morris Town Beach Parking Permits are NOT required to attend any Town sponsored function, including our annual Summer Concert Series.**

Friday, August 22, 2025

6:00 pm

Morris Town Beach (83 East Shore Road)

FREE! Funded by the Morris Land Trust.

(Visit this Facebook page or our website (morrisct.gov) for any possible cancellations due to weather.) 

Join us on the only rooftop terrace in downtown Waterbury for a night full of dance, music, and fun, with Alisa of Alisa’s House of Salsa! With over 20 years of experience as a certified dance instructor, Alisa will lead a free lesson for all, followed by dancing the night away!

Food Available: Sweet Bella’s will be open late.

Galleries will be open until 7 pm.

General: $15

Member: $10

Friday, August 22nd, at 7:00 PM, Walter Jacobson is back at 2nd Home. Walter brings his musical diversity, dynamics, and most importantly, fun! Everyone always has a great time when Walter is here!

For reservations call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

Google Street View

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2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

Paint and sip located above Toothpick on Water Street in Torrington!

BYOB! Painting new types of still life's every week.

All materials included in price

RSVP online

Born at the Sherman Song Swap nearly 20 years ago, The Red Dirt Girls (RDG) are all about harmonies. Inspired by the classic trio work of Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton, as well as Red Molly and the Wailin’ Jennys, these neighbors got together for the sheer joy of singing. Susy Marker and Missy Alexander trade off on the lead vocals and high harmonies. They are the songwriters of the group, crafting lyrics that are sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, and often both. Pat Walker is the chief arranger, with a perfect ear, a passion for the unexpected, and a smoky bass line. Best described as Americana (a blend of country & folk), their repertoire is an eclectic mix of original music and unexpected covers. Whether singing around the kitchen table or on local stages, this trio of friends aspires to share the magic that a perfect chord creates. 

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com