Bridgeport Art Trail 2025 Schedule

Event Highlights at a Glance

Thursday, November 6th

THURSDAY BAT NIGHT KICKOFF
“It’s like an artists’ home company party.” Mingle and meander. The BAT city-wide celebration starts downtown at four arts venues! View art and socialize with the creative community. See new art and popular favorites.

12-6pm

The Gallery at Ursa Coffee Roasters #20
Enjoy a treat for the senses at Bridgeport’s newest arts venue, local roaster and coffee shop. The great coffee is served in a café dripping with art from ceiling to floor. The exhibit “Parallel Cosmologies” opens with an artists’ reception on Friday, November 7.

5:30-7pm
Two Exhibits and a Stunning Art Collection at Housatonic Museum of Art #10

Reception Thursday November 6, 5-6pm
Savor light bites while exploring two remarkable shows and the museum’s vast permanent collection, one of the largest collections of 20th century art in any two year college.

Ink and Impressions: “110 Years of the Society of American Graphic Artists” showcases an impressive range of hand-pulled prints from artists nationwide, celebrating the SAGA’s rich legacy.

“Poli’s Palace & Majestic Theaters Memories Project” by Jay Misencik and Geralene Valentine is a nostalgic photo and storytelling project. Exquisite photographs of the theatres document their state of decline paired with recorded stories and memories.

5:30-7:30 pm

“Becoming Plastic” Environmental Art Exhibit
Opens Thursday November 6 at City Lights Gallery #23

“See art like no one’s ever seen before.” Bold, colorful, innovative eco art raises awareness of the hazard of the inundation of plastic impacting all living things and the planet. The walls pop with astonishing works of repurposed plastic, with vibrant textures, color and forms. Every artist in the exhibit has found their unique way to express their vision and concerns, from constructions made from harvested trash and toys, to the production of home cooked ‘bioplastic’. Among the featured Bridgeport artists are Janine Brown, kHyal, Daniel Lanzilotta, Gerald Moore.

Red Velvet at the Downtown Cabaret #24
Join us at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre for a lively evening celebrating the arts! In partnership with the Bridgeport Art Trail and sponsored by Foolproof Brewing Co., this special night features a sultry burlesque performance by Red Velvet from 6:30-7:30pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Stop in for wine & beer, and exclusive discounted tickets for future shows. Come early, mingle, sip, and support local arts. Donation-based entry welcomed at the door.

5:30-9:30pm

“(Re)Solve: Artists Choose Artists” Opening Reception at Read’s ArtSpace #13
This dynamic exhibition presents an exciting mix of works by resident and guest artists; it’s a popular BAT tradition.

GLOW WILD Lantern Festival at CT’s Beardsley Zoo #36
This illuminated lantern festival transforms the Zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over 35 larger-than-life, hand-crafted lantern displays that celebrate wildlife, nature, and the magic of the season.

Friday, November 7th

8:45am-5pm

Framemakers #35
"So It Goes" - Figurative and abstract oils on canvas by Gus Moran. "Art, like life, is a job and you have to come to it."

10am-4pm

Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative #14
Experience the power of art with an exhibition featuring the works in our 2025 Unique Perspective Calendar. Celebrating the talents of artists with disabilities, this art showcases creativity, innovation, and individual perspectives

8:30am-7pm

Housatonic Museum of Art #10

Explore two remarkable exhibits and the museum’s vast permanent collection. “The largest collection of 20th century art in a U.S. 2 yr college.”

Ink and Impressions: 110 Years of the Society of American Graphic Artists showcases an impressive range of hand-pulled prints from artists nationwide, celebrating the SAGA’s rich legacy.

 “Poli’s Palace & Majestic Theaters Memories Project” by Jay Misencik and Geralene Valentine, is a nostalgic photo and storytelling project. Exquisite photographs of the theatres document their state of decline paired with recorded stories and memories.

11am-6pm

Kindred Thoughts Bookstore #22
Proudly located downtown in the historic Arcade Mall in Bridgeport, CT, Kindred Thoughts Bookstore is an independent bookstore that is 100% Black-owned and 50% woman, and 50% veteran-owned, by Karin Smith and Derek Tompkins. We are Bridgeport's only bookstore with an emphasis on African American literature and cultural events, while also supporting the needs and interests across our entire diverse community.

Check out our new releases during the Art Trail, with books by Angela Flournoy, Sasha Bonét, and Keisha N. Blain!

12-5pm

The Candy Cane Smokestack Exhibit at the Bridgeport History Center #12
A nostalgic selection of art from the exhibit “Soon To Be Gone” that was produced and on view at City Lights gallery, in anticipation of the demolition of the factory and the smokestacks. The massive icon raises controversy. Is it ugly or beautiful? For some it is a reminder as the source of the health hazard created by the pollutants the coal plant produced. The colossal factory complex contrasted by the whimsical candy cane tower spurred dualistic thoughts that Bridgeport lovers contend with, including the hope that anything is possible in Oz.   

The Bridgeport History Center
The History Center collection contains historic photographs, newspapers, maps and a host of research materials documenting the history of this city. The Center also has one of the largest collections for conducting genealogy research in the state.

Paradox Ink #22d
Stop into the studio of Liz Squillace to see new paintings, prints, embroidered works and woven tapestries located on the 2nd floor of the Arcade.

12-7pm

dertbag #22e
Visit the atelier, a retail and studio space for the brand dertbag by artist Philip Post. He has shown his work in Tokyo, Vienna, NYC and LA. 

12-7:30pm

“Becoming Plastic” Environmental Art at City Lights Gallery #23
Artists as environmentalists, present innovative art raising awareness of the ubiquitous and urgent crisis of plastic trash. The walls pop with astonishing works of repurposed plastic, vibrant textures, colors and forms, manifesting the current health hazard that impacts all living things and the planet. Every artist in the exhibit has found a unique way to express their vision and concerns, from constructions made from harvested plastic trash to the production of home cooked ‘bioplastic’.

4-7pm

Open Studio PREview Artists’ Reception MNTD #3
Tour MNTD artist studios. View a new exhibition featuring 20 artists and fundraiser benefiting Elder Arts.

5-7pm
Queer Art Happy Hour at the Bridgeport Pride Center #26

5-7:30pm

Bridgeport Film Fest #32c Film Maker & Artist Mixer and Screening at CSCC Housatonic #10

Celebrate the power of connection through art and film, beginning with a Filmmaker & Artist Mixer from 5-6 pm. Meet local creatives, network, and share ideas. Immediately following is a special screening of short films by local filmmakers built around the theme of connections; exploring how stories, relationships, and shared experiences bring people and communities closer together. Featuring films directed by; Jason A. Coombs, Tova Hopemark, Dorian Robinson, Brian Russell, and more!

Congratulations to the TikTok Challenge Winners!!!

1st Place “Kyle Jordan: An Elevation to Society,” directed by Jason Kazadi and Dajauhn Leverett, 2nd Place “Skateport Saturday,” by Takina Pollock Shafer

5:30-9:30pm

GLOW WILD Lantern Festival at CT’s Beardsley Zoo #36
This illuminated lantern festival transforms the Zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over 35 larger-than-life, hand-crafted lantern displays that celebrate wildlife, nature, and the magic of the season.

6-8pm

Resilient Roots Open Circle Poetry & Spoken Word Workshop at Reads #13
Join an open circle poetry and spoken word workshop led by poet Shanna Melton that invites participants to find language for the times we are living in. Through meditation, guided word prompts, and writing exercises, participants will create poetry that speaks to personal truth while addressing the collective challenges of the present moment. Seats are limited, first come first serve, with a 20 participant limit.

6-9pm

The World Is On Fire: A Call to Action Through Art and Activism at the Arcade #22c
This show is a powerful pop-up exhibition that brings together visual artists and performers to respond to the urgency of our times. Featuring bold works across mediums and live performances, the show challenges audiences to reflect on the current social and political climate, climate change, and the role of collective action.

Special Exhibition Preview & Reception - A Fundraiser for the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center #28
Support the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center with an exclusive preview and reception for the new exhibit “Turning the Tides - Little Liberia & The Black Atlantic: Art, History and Community.” Donation $125 per person.

8:30 pm
Candlelight - Coldplay x Imagine Dragons at the Bijou Theater # 19

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Connecticut. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay X Imagine Dragons at Bijou Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Saturday, November 8th

8:30 am - 9:15 am
Meet up for the BAT Urban Bike Tour at City Lights #23
Meet at City Lights Gallery (265 Golden Hill St) for bike tour registration, browse the art, sip some coffee and enjoy a snack before the ride. Marvel at Jeff Colemna’s Evil Knievil Stunt Cycle Jump, a BAT tradition! Pose for the annual group photo on the painted staircase, before departing for the art! Bring some cash for a lunch stop along the way.

8:45 am – 5 pm

Framemakers #35
"So It Goes" - Figurative and abstract oils on canvas by Gus Moran. "Art, like life, is a job and you have to come to it."

Tour Art Studios, City-Wide

10am-4pm

Bridgeport Innovation Center #2
Open Studios and Pop Up Invitational
Enjoy a curated event which is multi-cultural and multi-generational, presenting a range of media and subject matter. Stroll the halls, see the work of new and visiting artists and artisans. Tour artists’ studios and creative businesses in the complex on the second and third floors in Building #1 and Building #2.

10am-5pm

American Fabrics Arts Building #1
Tour 3 floors of arts studios in a repurposed factory building where linen and lace were once manufactured. AFA welcomes the public to its 19th annual open house. The event has become a destination for collectors, interior designers, and art lovers alike, with artists specializing in painting, printmaking, sculpture, quilting, jewelry, photography, ceramics, textiles, design, mixed media, and more. Don’t miss the Plastic Horse Rescue Installation by kHyal in Building 4 Studio #304.

11am-4pm

The Knowlton #30
Step into the artist's realm at our Knowlton Open Studios event! Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of creativity as you explore local artists’ studios, witness spaces that birth beauty, and connect with the passionate minds behind the masterpieces.

11am-5pm

MNTD Studios #3
Meet the artists in freshly renovated spaces. Visitors can enjoy art, beer, and a bite to eat. MNTD studios share the building with a brewery, restaurant, elegant event spaces, and vintage cars.

NEST Arts Factory #32
Bridgeport’s longest-standing arts building community, the NEST continues to be a vibrant hub where art, ideas, and community meet. You’ll find art that confronts, comforts, questions, and heals.
And alongside our featured artists, we’re proud to exhibit work from local Bridgeport school children, whose fresh perspectives and fearless voices bring incredible energy to our space.

Family friendly activities include rock painting sanctuary and piggy bank pottery workshop. See art by the Black Rock Artists Guild holding their annual exhibit and reception, with music by Adam Weisblatt. The day ends with the high energy Pangea band, who maintain their rehearsal space at the NEST.

11am-6 pm

Kindred Thoughts Bookstore #22b

Visit Bridgeport's only bookstore with an emphasis on African American literature and cultural events, while also supporting the needs and interests across our entire diverse community.

Metro Arts Studios #8
Meet the artists of Metro Art Studios – over 40 artists working in a wide variety of disciplines, from drawing to painting, sculpture to jewelry, printmaking to photography, video, and music.  The Crown Gallery on the ground floor presents a Curators’ Choice exhibit with an opening reception from 1-4 pm.

12-4pm
Schelfhaudt Gallery at the University of Bridgeport #5
The BIG Bridgeport Art Trail is open to the public. View an eclectic selection of art in this large group featuring artists from the Bridgeport Art Trail family and the Artists’ Collective of Westport. The exhibit reception is Saturday from 5:30-8pm.

12-5pm
(Re)Solve: Artists Choose Artists at Read’s ArtSpace Gallery #13

This dynamic exhibition highlights an exciting mix of works by resident and guest artists. The large gallery space was once home to the Read’s Department Store.

City Lights Gallery #23 presents Becoming Plastic Exhibit
Bright, bold, innovative works by artists as environmental activists who raise awareness of the hazard of plastic consumption and trash, featuring constructions made from harvested plastic trash to the production of home cooked ‘bioplastic’. Along with compelling art, this exhibit advocates for the change in personal behaviors to reduce, reuse and recycle and choose alternatives to plastic.

12-3pm & 6-9pm
The World Is On Fire: A Call to Action Through Art and Activism #22c
Featuring bold works across mediums, this powerful pop up art show responds to the urgency of our times.

12-6pm

Open Studio at Gallery 9104 #7
Visit Gallery 9104 the Art House, featuring the art of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller and master teacher, specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage, poetry, puppetry and performance.

12-7pm

dertbag #22e
Visit the atelier, a retail and studio space for the brand dertbag by artist Philip Post. He has shown his work in Tokyo, Vienna, NYC and LA. 

1-3 pm

Neighborhood Studios #25 Open House
Visit Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, a community school of the arts open to children and adults.

Opening for “Turning the Tides – Little Liberia & The Black Atlantic” at Mary & Eliza Freeman Center #28
View “Turning the Tides” exhibit and learn about the legacy of "Little Liberia".
“All beginning in water, all enduring in water.” In 1821 on the salty, marsh and rock coast of Bridgeport’s South End, a community of free people of color built a settlement that reflected and expanded this truth. Explore and reclaim a relationship with our inheritance…our water.

1-6pm

Mary & Eliza Freeman Center #28
View “Turning the Tides” exhibit and learn about the legacy of "Little Liberia". Opening reception ends at 3 pm.

2-5pm
Colorful Bridgeport #16a Public Art Walk and Reception
Meet up at the Downtown Special Services District office (938 Broad Street) for a walking tour to explore all of the 35+ pieces of public art in Downtown Bridgeport.

4-7pm 

Berlinetta #27
Orb Mellon Live, founder and guitarist of the seminal 1990s Indie rock band and Sony/Epic recording artists Dirt Merchants play original folk blues.

Chicago Rewired - A Tribute to Chicago at the Cabaret Theatre #24
2 Shows 4pm & 7pm
The Premier Chicago Tribute Band is a tribute to “Chicago” – one the longest running and most successful pop/rock groups in history. The band comprises a unique blend of talented and seasoned musicians accurately replicating the timeless music of “Chicago”.

5-8pm
“Parallel Cosmologies” Artists Reception at Ursa Gallery #20
Curated by Helen Kauder, this exhibit is an expansive survey of collages by Connecticut’s growing community of collage-makers. Featuring over 60 works, “Parallel Cosmologies” proposes collage as a cosmological practice—an act of mapping realities, simultaneous yet divergent, intimate yet infinite. Meet the artists, enjoy samples from the Ursa café menu with DJ sets by Steve Brock.

5:30-8pm
Exhibit Reception: The BIG Bridgeport Art Trail show at the Schelfhaudt Gallery #5
Mingle with art trekkers after the studios close, meet the artists. View an eclectic selection of art in this large group exhibit. Select works represent artists from the Bridgeport Art Trail family and the Artists Collective of Westport, demonstrating how the Bridgeport Art Trail extends throughout the city, county, state and beyond. Celebrate with Bridgeport Art Trail 2025 Ricky Award Honoree, Yolanda Vasquez Petrocelli. Watch and read more about the Ricky Award.

5-7 pm
Opening Reception at American Fabrics #1 Stairwell Space. Exhibit curated by Neptune in June
The Stairwell Space is an artist-led, mission-driven alternative art venue housed in AmFab’s historic marble foyer.

5:30-9:30pm

GLOW WILD Lantern Festival at CTs Beardsley Zoo #36
This illuminated lantern festival transforms the Zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over 35 larger-than-life, hand-crafted lantern displays that celebrate wildlife, nature, and the magic of the season.

7pm

C-U On Stage at the Klein #31

Bridgeport based non-profit ConnectUS presents their annual youth talent show featuring students from ages 5 to 25.

6-9pm

Hi-Fi and Live DJ Performances at the Arcade #22c
Back by popular demand, our pop up vinyl listening room in the Historic Arcade Mall downtown Bridgeport, CT. Hosted by BACC, showcasing DJ's along with a few surprises.

7-11pm

Lyrical Voices at Reads #13
Founded and hosted by Shanna T. Melton with the musical energy of DJ Buddha LuvJonz, the event blends spoken word, music, and visual art into a visceral, connective experience

7:15-8:30pm

Cultural Conversations BACC at the Arcade Mall #22c

Panel Discussion – Trailblazers, Where Vision Meets Action - Join us for an inspiring conversation with changemakers who are breaking barriers and paving new paths. Hear their stories, lessons, and visions for the future.

Sunday, November 9th

Bridgeport Innovation Center #2
Open Studios and Pop Up Invitational 

Enjoy a curated event which is multi-cultural and  multi-generational, presenting a range of media and subject matter. Stroll the halls, see the work of new and visiting artists and artisans. Tour artists’ studios and creative businesses in the complex on the second and third floors in Building #1 and Building #2.

BIC hosts a silent auction to benefit the Bridgeport Art Trail & Bridgeport Artisan Center.

Recollective #9, Multi-Vendor Marketplace 

Recollective is a multivendor vintage and antique marketplace housed in a beautifully restored, 50,000 sq ft historic printing press building. We offer a thoughtfully curated mix of vintage furniture, architectural salvage, home decor, antiques, art and found objects. Every item has a story, and we're here to help it find a new one.

11am-1pm

Artists Brunch at the NEST Arts Factory #32 with music by Adam Weisblatt
Kick off your day with complimentary brunch bites, refreshing mimosas, and live music by Adam Weisblatt, all in the company of fellow artists and art enthusiasts.

OPEN STUDIOS

10am-5pm

American Fabrics #1
AFA welcomes the public to its 19th annual open house to tour 3 floors of artists’ studios. The event has become a destination for collectors, interior designers, and art lovers alike, with artists specializing in painting, printmaking, sculpture, quilting, jewelry, photography, ceramics, textiles, design, mixed media, and more. Don’t miss the Plastic Horse Rescue Installation by kHyal in Building 4 Studio #304.

11am-5pm

MNTD Studios #3
Meet the artists in freshly renovated spaces. Visitors can enjoy art, beer, and a bite to eat. MNTD studios share the building with a brewery, restaurant, elegant event spaces, and vintage cars.

Metro Art Studios #8
Tour 3 full floors of professional artists in loft studios to wander and discover. Meet over 40 artists working in a wide variety of disciplines, from drawing to painting, sculpture to jewelry, printmaking to photography, video, and music.

11am-4pm

The Knowlton #30
Step into the artist's realm at our Knowlton Open Studios event! Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of creativity as you explore local artists’ studios, witness spaces that birth beauty, and connect with the passionate minds behind the masterpieces.

The NEST Arts Factory #32
Bridgeport’s longest-standing arts building community, providing artists with studio spaces for over 30 years, the NEST continues to be a vibrant hub where art, ideas, and community meet. You’ll find art that confronts, comforts, questions, and heals.Alongside our featured artists, we’re proud to exhibit work from local Bridgeport school children, whose fresh perspectives and fearless voices bring an incredible energy to our space. (Sunday Brunch until 1:00PM)

12-4pm

“Becoming Plastic” City Lights Gallery #23
Bold innovative art raises awareness of the ubiquitous and urgent crisis of plastic trash. Every artist in the exhibit has found a unique way to express their vision and concerns, from constructions made from harvested plastic trash to the production of home cooked ‘bioplastic’.

12-5pm

(Re)Solve: Artists Choose Artists at Read’s ArtSpace Gallery #13
This dynamic exhibition highlights an exciting mix of works by resident and guest artists. The large gallery space was once home to the Read’s Department Store.

12-6pm

The World Is On Fire Exhibit at the Arcade #22c
This powerful pop-up exhibition presents art responding to the urgency of our times. Bold works across mediums challenge audiences to reflect on the current social and political climate, climate change, and the role of collective action.

Open Studio at Gallery 9104 #7
Visit Gallery 9104 the Art House, featuring the art of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller and master teacher, specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage, poetry, puppetry and performance.

1-6pm

Mary & Eliza Freeman Center #28
View “Turning the Tides” exhibit and learn about the legacy of "Little Liberia".

2-6pm
Hi-Fi at the Arcade # Live DJ Performances at the Arcade #22c
Back by popular demand, don’t miss the pop up vinyl listening room in the Historic Arcade Mall downtown Bridgeport, CT. Hosted by BACC, showcasing DJ's along with a few surprises.

5:30-9:30pm
GLOW WILD Lantern Festival at CT’s Beardsley Zoo #36
This illuminated lantern festival transforms the Zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over 35 larger-than-life, hand-crafted lantern displays that celebrate wildlife, nature, and the magic of the season.