Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

Braiden Sunshine

🎶 The song is finally out! Under Your Spell—the title track of Braiden's upcoming EP—is here, and we couldn’t be more excited! 💫

Even better? Braiden will be performing live at the Hygienic Art Park on July 19th! Mark your calendars and come feel the magic in person.

🗓 EP drops July 11th

🎤 Live at the Art Park July 19th

🎧 Thank you for listening, and thank you for following along! 

Tickets

Free yoga on Sundays at 9am with Kim. Sponsored by Yale New Haven Health.

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

This beginner-friendly class is an introduction to the relief process, the technique used in the oldest forms of printmaking. By creating a single-color linocut print, you will learn the basics of relief printing. We will explore types of carving blocks, inks, and papers, and you will learn how to prepare your carving block, transfer your design, and carve and ink the block. You will make several prints, both by hand printing and using the printing press. (After this class, members will be certified to use the press for relief printing.)

Please read through the relief printing handout (found here) before class, and bring a simple design no larger than 5x8 inches. A good beginner design has a bold image, thick lines, and no fine details. Keeping it simple will help you avoid frustration and allow you to focus on the fundamentals of printmaking. You can find some great ideas by searching for free black and white vector art. Several design options will also be available to choose from in class.

Certification for Members: Printing Press Members who demonstrate proper use of the printing press can be certified for independent access to the tool.

Thanks to generous donations from The Frank Loomis Palmer Foundation, prices of our certification classes are greatly reduced.

Get your tickets today!

Ages: 15+

Please note that the class fee is non-refundable. Plan accordingly.

Join Sip & Script for a night of learning calligraphy! Whether you’re a stationery nerd, DIY Bride-to-be, or just a crafty individual, you’ll be introduced to modern calligraphy with a pointed dip pen and ink in this workshop. We will cover all the basics and prepare you to add those unique lettered details to your snail mail, wedding paper goods, home decor, and more! The perfect crafty night out!

Class includes 1.5 hours of instruction and demonstration, our beginner’s calligraphy kit (two nibs, black ink pot, 2 letter guides, tracing paper and straight pen holder), and all materials to write on. Everything is yours to keep at the end of the workshop!

Purchase your ticket to this workshop here.

Websites for Women Artists 101

This professional workshop series is designed for women, non-binary, and women-identifying individuals working within the arts sector, Wednesdays 7/16-7/30, 6-8p (last session Artist Talk date/time TBA). Focusing on informative discussion on enhancing artistic skills and creative opportunities, this will be a 3-Part Series, by the Pattagansett Art Center, in collaboration with Spark Makerspace, and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Participants will learn from guest speakers covering essential topics in creative development. This program is generously sponsored by Breezeline.

The program aims to empower creatives by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in the competitive creative landscape, fostering a supportive community that encourages collaboration and growth. Sessions 1-3 are only open to 8 participants, so please please register early. The 4th session is optional and open to the Public.

Important:

Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly. Ages 16+

The class requires a laptop. If you do not have a laptop, please contact make@sparkmakerspace.org in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Session 1: July 16, 6-8p

About the Creative: Biography and Statements

(Creating an about section through interactive activities)

Every website has an about section. This session will explore and engage participants and the power of short, succinct personal biographies. This is an essential framework for a creative practice and provides insight into intentions, themes, accomplishments, and context for an audience or viewer to experience your work. Through guided individual and group activities, we will engage in the creation of a general creative biography and a more body of work-specific statement. We will learn to better understand our own vision and motivations, along with important recommendations, as our artist journey evolves.

Session 2: July 23, 6-8p

The Impact of Visual Branding for Creatives

(Look, Branding, Documentation, Photo cube, lighting, documentation, pricing of your work)

In a digital world, elevating your creative look or aesthetic is an essential part of visual language. This session will dive into the importance of documenting artwork, developing a story, contemporary pricing, demystifying, and building a professional brand, and a touch on contemporary market analysis. Participants will learn the basic principles of photographing artwork, creating a consistent style, and understanding the process of establishing an online identity.

Session 3: July 30, 6-8p

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Your Artist Website

(Building a website, and Digital Footprint)

Utilizing the skills and techniques from previous sessions, participants will learn how to build an effective artist website. This session will provide step-by-step instructions to navigate the process of website creation, uploading your artwork images, and promoting your practice. Websites can seem intimidating, but we will work to simplify and demystify this topic!

Session 4: TBA

Women in the Arts Open Community Forum

To celebrate this series, we are hosting a networking event and panel discussion at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. This Community Forum will feature participation from Suzie Ferras of the San Francisco Arts Commission and Creative IQ Studio & Gallery, alongside a panel of both established professionals and emerging local artists. Centered on the shared goal of uplifting and connecting creative women, the event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, build professional networks, and strengthen community ties both locally and beyond.

This two-part class is on Thursday, June 24th, 6-7:30pm, and June 31st, 6-8:30pm, at Spark Makerspace, 7 Union St., New London, CT.

Learn how to Screen Print at Spark! We'll take you through the whole process, and you'll take home prints of your own design! This class covers successful design elements, creating the screen using the photographic process, printing on fabric and paper, and how to reuse your silkscreen.

For Members, this class will certify you to be able to use the screen printing equipment independently.

This class is intended for students ages 14+.

Certification for Members: Screen Printing Tools - Members who demonstrate proper use can be certified for independent access to the tool.

Thanks to generous donations from The Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee prices of our certification classes are greatly reduced.

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

This Thursday July 24th at 7pm, we're screening Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 

Suggested donation: $5

Johnny Depp stars as a writer on assignment who goes on a drug-fueled binge in Las Vegas with his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo. Adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 novel. Gonzo: Benicio Del Toro.

Waitress: Ellen Barkin.

Highway Patrolman: Gary Busey.

Directors: Terry Gilliam

Production year: 1998

Rating: R

Studio: Universal Pictures

Runtime: 120 minutes

Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Gary Busey, Ellen Barkin, Christina Ricci

Sponsored by the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund and Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Students must have a basic knowledge of crochet stitches. They need to know how to chain stitch, slip stitch, and single crochet.

Ever wanted to make an amigurumi?

Then this class is for you!

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.

Join us to learn how to work in a magic ring, increase and decrease stitched, change colors and attach different piece to your main body. Students will leave with a finished crochet bee.

Ages 16+

All materials will be provided.

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

Explore the fascinating characters, adventures, and tales of early American and Chinese trade with award-winning history author Eric Jay Dolin at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.

This talk derives from Dolin’s award-winning book When America First Met China. Dolin traces our fraught relationship with China back to its roots: the unforgiving nineteenth-century seas that separated a brash, rising naval power from a battered ancient empire. It is a prescient fable for our time that surprisingly continues to shed light on our modern relationship with China. 

Saturday, July 26, 1 – 2:30 pm

Members $5 • Non-members $10

RSVP to info@lymanallyn.org or 860-443-2545 ext. 2129. Walk-ins welcome.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Image: Book Cover for When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail, by Eric Jay Dolin

Free yoga on Sundays at 9am with Kim. Sponsored by Yale New Haven Health.

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

You will learn Parametric CAD basics in this class. Enjoy learning to design a 3D object! This class will take you through the basics of using Onshape CAD software.

Specific topics covered in the class:

• Basic 2D sketching with constraints
• Extrude
• Revolve
• Loft
• Solid boolean operations (union, subtract difference)

Don't worry if you don't know these terms; this is a fun entry-level class! We'll teach you the lingo.

Each student must bring a laptop computer running modern Windows, Linux, or Mac OS and a real mouse. Doing CAD with a touchpad is next to impossible. Students must have Google Chrome browser installed.

This class is intended for students ages 16+

Get Tickets Today! The class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Websites for Women Artists 101

This professional workshop series is designed for women, non-binary, and women-identifying individuals working within the arts sector, Wednesdays 7/16-7/30, 6-8p (last session Artist Talk date/time TBA). Focusing on informative discussion on enhancing artistic skills and creative opportunities, this will be a 3-Part Series, by the Pattagansett Art Center, in collaboration with Spark Makerspace, and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Participants will learn from guest speakers covering essential topics in creative development. This program is generously sponsored by Breezeline.

The program aims to empower creatives by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in the competitive creative landscape, fostering a supportive community that encourages collaboration and growth. Sessions 1-3 are only open to 8 participants, so please please register early. The 4th session is optional and open to the Public.

Important:

Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly. Ages 16+

The class requires a laptop. If you do not have a laptop, please contact make@sparkmakerspace.org in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Session 1: July 16, 6-8p

About the Creative: Biography and Statements

(Creating an about section through interactive activities)

Every website has an about section. This session will explore and engage participants and the power of short, succinct personal biographies. This is an essential framework for a creative practice and provides insight into intentions, themes, accomplishments, and context for an audience or viewer to experience your work. Through guided individual and group activities, we will engage in the creation of a general creative biography and a more body of work-specific statement. We will learn to better understand our own vision and motivations, along with important recommendations, as our artist journey evolves.

Session 2: July 23, 6-8p

The Impact of Visual Branding for Creatives

(Look, Branding, Documentation, Photo cube, lighting, documentation, pricing of your work)

In a digital world, elevating your creative look or aesthetic is an essential part of visual language. This session will dive into the importance of documenting artwork, developing a story, contemporary pricing, demystifying, and building a professional brand, and a touch on contemporary market analysis. Participants will learn the basic principles of photographing artwork, creating a consistent style, and understanding the process of establishing an online identity.

Session 3: July 30, 6-8p

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Your Artist Website

(Building a website, and Digital Footprint)

Utilizing the skills and techniques from previous sessions, participants will learn how to build an effective artist website. This session will provide step-by-step instructions to navigate the process of website creation, uploading your artwork images, and promoting your practice. Websites can seem intimidating, but we will work to simplify and demystify this topic!

Session 4: TBA

Women in the Arts Open Community Forum

To celebrate this series, we are hosting a networking event and panel discussion at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. This Community Forum will feature participation from Suzie Ferras of the San Francisco Arts Commission and Creative IQ Studio & Gallery, alongside a panel of both established professionals and emerging local artists. Centered on the shared goal of uplifting and connecting creative women, the event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, build professional networks, and strengthen community ties both locally and beyond.

This two-part class is on Thursday, June 24th, 6-7:30pm, and June 31st, 6-8:30pm, at Spark Makerspace, 7 Union St., New London, CT.

Learn how to Screen Print at Spark! We'll take you through the whole process, and you'll take home prints of your own design! This class covers successful design elements, creating the screen using the photographic process, printing on fabric and paper, and how to reuse your silkscreen.

For Members, this class will certify you to be able to use the screen printing equipment independently.

This class is intended for students ages 14+.

Certification for Members: Screen Printing Tools - Members who demonstrate proper use can be certified for independent access to the tool.

Thanks to generous donations from The Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee prices of our certification classes are greatly reduced.

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Join Julie from Hats by Jewels in the taproom to burn your own custom design on a cowboy hat. First Tox drink included in the ticket price.

Sid and Nancy

Our Thursday movie series continues with Sid & Nancy on July 31st 7pm. 

Suggested donation: $5.

The story of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious opens shortly after he joins the British punk-rock band and meets an American groupie named Nancy Spungen, who he enters into a self-destructive relationship with that culminates with her death in 1978.

Director: Alex Cox

Production year: 1986

Rating: R

Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

Runtime: 111 minutes

Cast: Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman, Debbie Bishop, Tony London

Sponsored by the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund and Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

Free yoga on Sundays at 9am with Kim. Sponsored by Yale New Haven Health.

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Personalize your trip around visiting heritage sites, state parks, restaurants, or shopping! Well-behaved dogs and bicycles are welcomed on board.

Departure Sites:

- Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour

- City Pier, New London 20 minutes after the hour

- Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour

Harbor Cruise Info:

- Your ticket is an All-Day Pass! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site, as many times as you would like

- OR Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop

- Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long

- Book online or in-person | Children 3 and under ride FREE

- Saturday & Sunday through September 7th | 11:00AM – 6:00PM

This is a week-long summer workshop (Mon 8/4- Fri 8/8, 1-4pm) at Spark Makerspace in collaboration with New London Community Boatworks for young woodworkers age 13-16. Guided by experienced instructor and boat builder Ben Ellcome, students will build a functional wooden toolbox using hand tools.

From reading plans and making precise cuts to assembling and customizing their own design, each participant will gain hands-on experience in the woodshop while developing practical skills that last a lifetime.

No prior experience is required – just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Over the course of five days, students will master basic woodworking techniques, including sawing, fastening, and joint-making, culminating in a finished toolbox they can proudly take home.

All tools and materials are provided, and the final session will include a showcase and celebration of each student's completed project.

Parents will be contacted via email after ticket purchase and will be sent follow-up paperwork.

Please note that the class fee is non-refundable unless it does not meet minimum enrollment. If this occurs, you will be contacted a week in advance, the class will be canceled, and fees will be refunded.

This is a week-long summer workshop (Mon 8/4- Fri 8/8, 1-4pm) at Spark Makerspace in collaboration with New London Community Boatworks for young woodworkers age 13-16. Guided by experienced instructor and boat builder Ben Ellcome, students will build a functional wooden toolbox using hand tools.

From reading plans and making precise cuts to assembling and customizing their own design, each participant will gain hands-on experience in the woodshop while developing practical skills that last a lifetime.

No prior experience is required – just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Over the course of five days, students will master basic woodworking techniques, including sawing, fastening, and joint-making, culminating in a finished toolbox they can proudly take home.

All tools and materials are provided, and the final session will include a showcase and celebration of each student's completed project.

Parents will be contacted via email after ticket purchase and will be sent follow-up paperwork.

Please note that the class fee is non-refundable unless it does not meet minimum enrollment. If this occurs, you will be contacted a week in advance, the class will be canceled, and fees will be refunded.

Grab a brew and join Catherine from Zen Healing in a workshop all about pendulums!

Why Use a Pendulum? Many believe a pendulum is a practical tool for investigating and dealing with health-related concerns, matters of the heart, and other personal issues.

This workshop includes all materials for your own personal pendulum starting with the choice of stone, chain and embellishment as well as a travel pouch. In addition to your pendulum you will receive basic directions for usage of your pendulum and guided direction for utilizing this tool to read your own chakras. We will focus on the 7 primary Chakras (energy centers of the body).

About Zen Healing: Zen Healing is a team of holistic therapists from Mystic who love to share their knowledge of energy work and to teach the creation of customized holistic tools and jewelry that can help each of us on our healing journey.

Purchase your tickets to this unique workshop here !

First drink included in ticket price.

Open Mic Night

Sign Up available onsite at 5:30 PM

Poetry, comedy, spoken word, Bring what you got! All talents welcome!

5 Minute Time Slot for Comedians and Poets!

2 Song Time Slot for Musicians!

No Cover Charge - Donations Always Welcome

August 7th – Let Loose Thursday Touch -a- Truck, Petting Zoo, Live Music and Fireworks !

Join us at the Parade Plaza in New London, and don't forget to bring your chairs to enjoy live music. Families can also take part in Touch-a-Truck, explore food vendors, experience face painting, and engage in various other family-friendly activities.

Carly's Critters - Petting Zoo

New London Police Department - Meet New London K9 officer.

New London Fire Department

Live music

 Fireworks - Sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino

 Food Trucks

Vendors

New London Youth Affairs- Free children's activities

New London Recreation- Free activities for families

Don't miss Frida, Thursday August 7th 7pm! 

Suggested donation: $5

Best Actress nominee Salma Hayek stars as Mexican surrealist Frida Kahlo in this biopic, which chronicles her turbulent marriage to Diego Rivera, her political activism and the severe pain she experienced following a bus accident.

Director: Julie Taymor

Production year: 2002

Rating: R

Studio: Miramax Films

Runtime: 118 minutes

Cast: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mia Maestro, Ashley Judd

Sponsored by the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund and Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut