Dec
16
6:00 PM18:00
Dec
19
to Dec 21
Holiday Market Pop-Up “Shop–Sip–Swing”
The Ultimate Holiday Market Pop-Up OnWashington!
“Shop-Sip-Swing”: A Festive Weekend of Shopping, Craft Cocktails and Mini Golf
Fri., Dec. 19 - Sun., Dec. 21
Norwalk, CT - OnWashington is transforming 123 Washington Street in South Norwalk, CT, into the Ultimate Holiday Pop Up Market, a one-of-a-kind “Shop–Sip–Swing” celebration bringing together an elevated retail experience, seasonal cocktails and a whimsical holiday-themed mini golf course—all under one roof. The three-day event will take place Friday, December 19 (5–9 PM), Saturday, December 20 (12–7 PM), and Sunday, December 21 (12–5 PM).
Produced by AGW SONO Partners’ “OnWashington” marketing arm, the event continues the group’s tradition of turning vacant spaces into vibrant community hubs—showcasing local talent, supporting small businesses, and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to test new concepts. This season, OnWashington is taking its pop-up programming to new heights with an immersive, family-friendly holiday festival.
The Ultimate Holiday Pop Up Market features three standout experiences:
PopShop Market
PopShop Market presents a curated, elevated juried marketplace featuring a mix of local and small businesses from across Connecticut. Known for its selection of handmade, exclusive, and thoughtfully sourced goods, PopShop Market offers the perfect holiday shopping experience for anyone seeking unique, high-quality gifts.
AURA Wine Bar
AURA Wine Bar—founded by partners Jennifer Englert and Catherine Scholl—brings its fully mobile, boutique wine and cocktail experience to the holiday market. Guests can enjoy signature craft cocktails featuring spirits from Norwalk’s own SoNo 1420 Distillery, along with a selection of beer, wine, and artisanal charcuterie boards, all served with AURA’s warm, elegant signature vibe.
Tempo Golf
Connecticut-based Tempo Golf has a 9-hole miniature golf course designed especially for the holiday season. Known for creating fun, memorable experiences at private events, weddings, and community gatherings across the state, Tempo Golf invites attendees of all ages to play this magical course. Guests may register in advance for preferred times, with walk-ins welcome throughout the weekend.
https://square.link/u/h0jXIGGS
Washington Street in South Norwalk
Live music from local musicians throughout the weekend will include a spirited variety of pop, acoustic, and holiday favorites. Live musical performances through the weekend include:
Saturday, 4-6 PM, Billy Genuario (pop/rock/Christmas tunes)
More TBA
For music schedule and updates: www.onwashingtonst.com
#norwalkct #sono #onwashington #holidaymarket #market #winebar #minigolf #fairfieldhamlethub
Jan
15
3:30 PM15:30
The Jazz Society of Fairfield County Presents: James Weidman and Harvie S featuring Greg Wall and Ryan Sands
Event Details
JazzFC and Darien Library present: Grammy nominated pianist James Weidman with Harvie S, featuring Greg Wall and Ryan Sands.
Music of Monk, Mingus, Ellington, Gershwin and Weidman.
About the Quartet
Grammy nominated pianist James Weidman got his start as a member of James Moody’s band, and is currently a member of Joe Lovano’s US Five. He has recorded and toured with vocalists Abby Lincoln, Cassandra Wilson and Kevin Mahogany.
Harvie S is one of the most recorded bassists of our time, appearing on well over 400 releases! His duo recordings with singer Sheila Jordan and pianist Kenny Barron are legendary.
Saxophonist Greg Wall is the Artistic Director of JazzFC, and has performed his music throughout the world, and brings the brightest stars of the New York Jazz scene to Westport’s Jazz at the Post each week.
Connecticut-born drummer Ryan Sands has emerged as one of today’s top young jazz drummers, performing with artists such as Terell Stafford, Geoffrey Keezer, and Jason Marsalis, and holding the drum chair for Christian Sands and Altus. With degrees from NEC and the Manhattan School of Music, he now teaches at Yale and SCSU.
About JazzFC
The Jazz Society of Fairfield County (JazzFC) was formed to enrich the cultural life of Fairfield County by promoting the performance and appreciation of Jazz and its heritage.
JazzFC offers free or low-cost concerts by accomplished artists, outreach to under-served audiences, and educational and performance opportunities for student, amateur and emerging professional musicians. They are also committed to the maintenance and preservation of their historic 1937 Steinway Model M grand piano, formerly the house piano at the famous Village Gate jazz club in New York City, which has been played by an extensive list of iconic jazz musicians and appears on many recordings.
Presenting regular local concerts since 2015, JazzFC hosts a weekly jazz club, “Jazz at the Post”, in partnership with Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399, with celebrated jazz artists such as Ethan Iverson, Antonio Hart, David Kikoski, Harvie S, and Joe Farnsworth as well as introducing our audience to the new generation of musicians moving the tradition forward.
JazzFC provides outreach to seniors, benefit performances for Veterans, and student musician clinics led by world-class professional musicians, followed by live performance opportunities by the students with their clinicians. In 2022, they launched a scholarship award for deserving students pursuing a higher education in music. JazzFC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.
Reserve Tix: https://www.darienlibrary.org/event/tentative-jazz-society-fairfield-county-jazzfc-94200
Jan
15
6:00 PM18:00
Performative Stories Opening Reception
In the interplay between narrative and physical form, some objects offer what can be described as performative stories: narratives told through physical movement as well as words or images. Performative Stories will feature multidisciplinary artists Dan Hurlin and Maiko Kikuchi, experimental filmmaker Janie Geiser, and photographer Jason Gardner.
Co-curated by Leslee Asch and Kate Sheridan Chung
Exhibit dates: 1/15/26 - 3/4/26
Jan
16
6:00 PM18:00
Lesley's Photography Exhibit Reception
Lesley’s amazing photography of familiar waterfront landscapes will be on display at the Westport Book Shop in January! Join us to celebrate and appreciate his beautiful images of seaside towns including Westport, Southport, Black Rock, Provincetown, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious, this is the perfect chance to enjoy inspiring visuals and good vibes. All photograph purchases will benefit the Westport Public Library.
Jan
17
1:00 PM13:00
20th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Peabody Award-Winning Journalist and Scholar Jelani Cobb
Event Details
Jelani Cobb, the renowned journalist, scholar, speaker, and current dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, will be the guest of honor at Westport’s 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is a partnership between the Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Museum for History and Culture, and the Westport/Weston Clergy Association.
Why You Should Come
Cobb is a clear voice in the fight for a better America. The dean of the Columbia Journalism School and PBS Frontline correspondent for two critically acclaimed documentaries, Cobb explores the enormous complexities of our history, politics, and culture, while offering guidance and hope for the future.
A longtime writer for The New Yorker, the editor of its anthology collection The Matter of Black Lives, and the author of Three or More Is a Riot (one of Kirkus‘s best books of the year), Cobb “combines the rigor and depth of a professional historian with the alertness of a reporter, the liberal passion of an engaged public intellectual, and the literary flair of a fine writer,” said Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorker.
About Westport’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is an annual event commemorating the life and values of Dr. King, held the weekend before the observed Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Past Martin Luther King Jr. celebration keynote speakers include National Book Award winner and MacArthur Fellow Ibram X. Kendi; Pulitzer Prize winner James Forman Jr.; New York Times best-selling authors Heather McGhee and Layla Saad; Guggenheim Scholar Carol Anderson; American Book Award winner Tricia Rose; Quinnipiac Law School founder Marilyn Ford; author/artist/ filmmaker/multi-dimensional performance artist Junauda Petrus, former King speechwriter and advisor Dr. Clarence B. Jones; and last year’s guest, award-winning writer, producer, and Shondaland visionary Shonda Rhimes.
About Jelani Cobb
Renowned for his thoughtful and incisive exploration of the complexities of our history, politics, and culture, Cobb received a Peabody Award for his 2020 PBS Frontline film Whose Vote Counts? and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Commentary in 2018. He joined the Columbia Journalism School faculty in 2016 and became dean in 2022.
Cobb has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2015 and a political analyst for MS Now since 2019. He is the author of The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress and To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic, and the editor or co-editor of several volumes, including The Matter of Black Lives, a collection of The New Yorker’s writings on race, and The Essential Kerner Commission Report. He also is producer or co-producer on a number of documentaries, including Lincoln’s Dilemma, Obama: A More Perfect Union, Policing the Police and THE RIOT REPORT.
Cobb’s most recent work is Three or More Is a Riot, a collection of both published and original writing from his frontline reporting over the last decade. Three or More Is a Riot was named one of Kirkus’ best books of the year.
“Three or More Is a Riot is an archive of a writer at the height of his powers — and his powers are many,” said Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of The Message and Between the World and Me. “Insight, historical memory, reportage, pith, and, not least of all, wit. All these gifts Jelani Cobb deploys here without missing a beat, effortlessly weaving them into his own distinctive style.”
Click here to see a clip of Cobb’s conversation, “The Most Valuable Tool in the Search for Equality”
A graduate of Jamaica High School in Queens, New York, Cobb earned his BA from Howard University and received both is MA and doctorate (in American History) from Rutgers University.
In addition to his work at Columbia, The New Yorker, and MS Now, Cobb serves on the board of directors of the American Journalism Project and the board of trustees of the New York Public Library. He received an honorary doctorate for the Advancement of Science and Art from Cooper Union in 2022, and an honorary doctorate of letters from Rutgers University in 2024. York College / CUNY and Teachers College have honored him with medals.
He was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2023 and is a recipient of fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, and the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
About Trey Ellis
Ellis is an American Book Award-winning novelist, two-time Emmy- and Peabody-winning filmmaker, NAACP Image award-winning playwright and essayist, and professor of professional practice at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. His lauded first novel, Platitudes, was reissued by Northeastern University Press along with his influential essay, “The New Black Aesthetic.” He also served as executive producer of King in the Wilderness, the 2018 Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary (Outstanding Historical Documentary) on the last three days of Dr. King’s life.
Reserve here: https://westportlibrary.org/event/20th-annual-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-peabody-award-winning-journalist-and-scholar-jelani-cobb/
Dec
14
10:00 AM10:00
Dec
12
7:00 PM19:00
Dec
11
5:00 PM17:00
RESOURCE360 Grand Opening Holiday Party
✨ You’re invited! ✨
Join us for the RESOURCE360 Grand Opening Holiday Party — Thursday, December 11th at 5PM-8PM.
Libations, light bites, music, and a first look inside New Canaan’s newest luxury design destination.
Dec
11
3:00 PM15:00
Dec
9
6:15 PM18:15
Reboot: Solo Exhibition by Eugenie DiSerio Opening Reception
I am pleased to cordially invite you to a special original musical event on Thursday DECEMBER 11th, at 6:15 p.m. in the Faye and Ben Manger Gallery. The program will feature original compositions by Eugenie Diserio, arranged by JCC new music teacher Michael Oehmen, and performed by the talented young string musicians of INTEMPO—a nonprofit organization dedicated to making music accessible to local children.
Reboot is the solo exhibition by Eugenie DiSerio, whose creative endeavors span painting, the internet, and the world of 1980s pop music. This exhibition serves as a mini-retrospective, highlighting 45 years of her painting career. A Stamford local, Ms. Diserio’s gallery opening will precede the musical performance from 6:30-8 pm .
To register for the Opening Please click here
Dec
9
4:00 PM16:00
Holiday Wellness Market
Join us for our Holiday Wellness Market! Step into the season of giving at SPRING’s Holiday Market, an evening of mindful shopping, community connection, and festive cheer. Explore curated wellness products and thoughtful gifts, enjoy light bites and holiday vibes, and don’t forget to enter our holiday raffle! The winner will be drawn Tuesday evening.
Dec
6
4:00 PM16:00
Westport Holiday Stroll
We are co-sponsoring the fifth annual Holiday Stroll with Dan Woog’s "06880." This year's event will feature participating retailers and restaurants offering deals and promotions, activities for children (face painting, s’mores, Santa photos, and more), and performances by the Staples High School Orphenians on Upper Main Street, Lower Main Street, corner of Post and Main outside Anthropologie, and Sconset Square. The Elm & Main complex at 136 Main Street will serve as the headquarters of Holiday Stroll with Santa, a DJ, a photo booth, and much more.
The Holiday Winter Market in the Elm & Main Lot will feature food vendors, holiday shopping, activities for the whole family and more! (See participating vendors below) The Westport Police Department will host a toy drive, so please bring a new toy.
Dec
6
4:00 PM16:00
4th Annual Holiday Extravaganza
The 4th Annual Holiday Extravaganza is happening in Norwalk on Saturday, December 6, from 4 PM to 8 PM at 50 Washington Street! This festive community celebration is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season.
Bring the whole family for a magical evening featuring:
The official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:50 PM.
Meet-and-greets with holiday characters.
An unforgettable spectacle as holiday. characters rappel 150 feet down the SONO50 building (5:45 PM).
An outdoor marketplace with over 25 local vendors for holiday shopping.
Live performances by the Norwalk. Conservatory of the Arts, Roton Middle School Choir, and Ladies of Finesse.
Kids' activities, including carousel rides, a trackless train, stilt walkers, and goat petting!
Free to attend, no tickets required. Don't miss this amazing night in SoNo!
#VisitNorwalk #HolidayExtravaganza #NorwalkCT #SoNo #TreeLighting #Holidays
Dec
5
to Dec 6
Holiday Stroll Rowayton
The Rowayton Civic Association invites you to a full weekend of holiday fun as we kick off the season with lights, laughter, and community spirit.
Holiday Stroll Day #1
Friday, December 5th | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Kick off the Holiday Stroll weekend with the inaugural Holiday Bike Crawl, starting at Pinkney Park. Riders will make festive stops along the route — including the Bait Shop, Bell Island, Lower Highland Avenue, and finishing at the Community Center. Each stop will feature fun, community spirit, and plenty of holiday cheer. All participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes with lights to keep the ride bright and merry. It’s a great way to see friends, visit local spots, and start the weekend’s celebration.
Bicycle Crawl
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ Pinkney Park
Sign Up Here
Holiday Stroll Day #2
Saturday, December 6th | 11:45 AM – 8:30 PM
Santa Arrives by boat
11:45 AM @ Pinkney Park
Photos with Santa
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM @ Pinkney Park Gazebo
Holiday Bounce House
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM @ Rowayton Avenue & Pinkney Park
Holiday Market
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Pinkney Park
Rowayton Gardners Christmas Market
12:00 PM @ Pinkney Park
Mike Barbis Santa Toy Drive
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM @ (See Santa Run Route Below)
Merchant Displays & Activities
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Rowayton Avenue
10th Annual Eggnog Contest
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Rowayton Ave
Sign Up Here
Light Up Rowayton (Santa Arrives)
5:00 PM @ Pinkney Park
Holiday Beer Garden
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ Pinkney Park
Live Music
5:15 PM - 8:00 PM @ Pinkney Park
Dec
5
to Dec 6
New Canaan Holiday Stroll
The Chamber invites you to head downtown on Friday December 5th between 5:30 – 8:30 pm to walk under the lights, browse in the stores, watch a show performed by young local talent, eat delicious food, and take a selfie with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Stroll functions as New Canaan’s answer to “Small Business Saturday”, reminding all of us to “think local first” when shopping for friends and family this Holiday season!
For young families we encourage you to come back to town on Saturday December 6th between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to catch up with Santa who will be at Houlihan Lawrence at 161 Elm Street. While the Children wait to share their wish list with Santa, they will be entertained by a magician making balloon animals.
The Holiday Stroll reminds us how special our town is, and how are local businesses bring life and creativity to our downtown landscape!
Friday, December 5th
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5th, 5:30pm - 8:30 pm
Elm Street will be closed to vehicles all evening! Come stroll under the lights and enjoy everything our stores (see below) and restaurants have to offer.
Look for the booth selling light up Holiday Trinkets and Garb on Elm Street next to the Moreno Clock.
THE SHOW...Starting at 5:00 pm
Produced by the Chamber and Hosted by Eric Thunem and Tucker Murphy
Please stop by the Elm Street/South Avenue intersection to enjoy performances by some of New Canaan's talented young artists! Also keep your ears open for special performances by members of the New Canaan Town Band's Brass Quartet.
New Canaan High School Jazz Combo
New Canaan Performing Arts Conservatory
Additional Friday Entertainment
Laurent Ranch located at 7 Elm Street is proudly sponsoring an opportunity to Meet the Mini Ponys from Rising Starr Horse Rescue.
Rumor has it Santa & Mrs. Claus will make an appearance during the show!
FRIDAY NIGHT STREET EATS
New Canaan Cares S'mores Station
Friday, fire pit on Elm Street
Waffle Cabin from Vermont
Friday evening and All day Saturday, in front of Playhouse
ADDITIONAL FRIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
Meet & Greet Holiday Characters
Downtown Friday Night and Saturday
St. Aloysius Living Nativity
New Location in front of Church's main entrance on Cherry Street
6:00, 6:30pm & 7:00pm
New Canaan Fire Department will be in front of Rosie's meeting families and promoting Christmas fire safe living room and fireplace ash safety.
Light Up Trinkets
Everyone's favorite festive toys! Many new items this year prices start at $10 Cash or Venmo accepted. All items sold under the Moreno clock across from the stage on Elm Street. All proceeds help fund the Event.
Gingerbread House Tour
Check out the homemade creations all over town! Thanks to our friends at Brown Harris Stevens for sponsoring the Gingerbread House Tour and all the locations around town for displaying the houses made by 150 local families.
Saturday December 6th
While You Wait to Give Santa Your List...
Balloon Animals from the Great Sirico
11:00am - 1:00pm
STORE STROLL OFFERS
Consider The Cook - 145 Elm Street
15% discount on Friday 5-8pm and Saturday 10-6pm.
Crafty Kids Studios - 91 Main Street
Holiday Crafts
Dooney & Bourke - 66 Elm Street
Step into Dooney & Bourke during the Holiday Stroll and enjoy festive sweetness with artisanal desserts and a festive cup of warmth while browsing our premier collections.
Elm Street Books - 35 Elm Street
Open late with Christmas cookies!
Francos Wine Merchants - 130 Elm Street
Fred Astaire Dance Studios New Canaan - 111 Main Street
Pop up group dance lessons, come see the studio, grab some hot cocoa. Meet the instructors :)
Glass House Design Store - 199 Elm Street
Karl Chevrolet - 261 Elm Street
A Call to Kindness: Support Toys for Tots
As our community prepares for the holidays, we ask you to take a moment to remember our neighbors who might not have joy under their tree.
Karl Chevrolet is proud to host our annual collection drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
Please help us bring smiles to children's faces this season. Simply drop off a new, unwrapped toy or two in the bed of the Chevy Silverado Pickup located in our showroom. And when you BUY LOCAL and GIVE LOCAL, you create the ultimate win-win!
Thank you in advance for your incredible generosity and thoughtfulness. Together, we can make this a brighter holiday for local families.
OPEN Friday until 6:30pm.
LaSource - 44 Elm Street
Beer & Bubbles will be served and all purchases over $100 will be entered in our Holiday Stroll drawing for a $500 LaSource gift card.
Manfredi Jewels - 72 Elm Street
Indulge in our traditional holiday panettone and prosecco and enjoy 15% off any in-store purchases made during the Holiday Stroll (excludes Rolex, Tudor, Pre-Owned Watches and Buccellati)
Morgenthal Frederics - 127 Main Street
Holiday Offer $100 off purchase of $350
No. 299 - 114 Main Street
Join us for a festive cocktail while you shop! We'd love to see you!
Saisons Sucrees - 84 Main Street
Table on Elm serving rich hot chocolate and fresh baked goods - cookies, brownies, macaron boxes and more!
Shoe-Inn - 36 Elm Street
Winter Sale- up to 60% off
Ski and Sport - 139 Elm Street
Cookies and candie open until 9
The Spice & Tea Exchange - 118 Main Street
Sip away the cold evening with samples of our hot mulled cider and hot cocoa. Enter our raffle to win a Holiday Gift Basket.
Wave - 86 Elm Street
Please Join WAVE for Our Annual Soiree. We can not wait to Ring in The Holidays with You!
William Raveis Real Estate - 4 Elm Street
Our William Raveis Real Estate Office will be in full celebration with some treats and cheer! Come ring in the holidays at the corner of Main & Elm for what is always a special night in New Canaan!
Nov
30
10:00 AM10:00
Festivus Holiday Bazaar
Come support local small businesses this holiday season! Head over to festivusbazaar.com to see a full list of this years vendors!
It all started with a simple idea: bring our community together for the holidays while keeping the spotlight on the makers, dreamers, and small vendors who give Bridgeport its heart. Out of that vision, the Festivus Holiday Bazaar was born—a celebration of creativity, connection, and the joy of shopping small.
This year, the Bazaar has expanded to Fairfield and takes on even more meaning. Every booth you visit, every gift you pick up, every conversation you share helps a local artisan, baker, or crafter keep their passion alive. It’s not just shopping—it’s sustaining the spirit of small business.
Expect twinkling lights, festive music, and aisles filled with one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t find in big-box stores. From handmade jewelry to gourmet treats, quirky gifts to cozy crafts, the Bazaar is your chance to discover something magical while giving back to the community.
So grab your friends, bring your holiday cheer, and join us at the Festivus Holiday Bazaar—where shopping small makes a big difference.
Nov
29
11:00 AM11:00
Wall Street Holiday Stroll
Celebrate the magic of the season at the very first Wall Street Holiday Stroll this Saturday, November 29th from 11 AM – 8 PM, hosted by the Wall Street Neighborhood Association in partnership with the City of Norwalk! The Wall Street and River Street area will have an all-day festive experience filled with local business specials, family-friendly activities, and sweet treats.
Stop by 48 Wall Street to take photos with Santa and explore a variety of holiday photo sets throughout the building. Warm up with hot cocoa and cookies, then continue your stroll to shop, dine, and enjoy everything the neighborhood has to offer. Be sure to gather at 5 PM for the official tree lighting! #CityofNorwalk #WallStreetHolidayStroll #SaturdayNovember29
Nov
28
6:30 PM18:30
Darien Library’s 3rd Annual Lit Tree Lane Stroll
The most wonderful time of the year starts at Darien Library! Please join us for a celebration of holiday trees, each one representing a beloved book, decorated by community members, designers, and local organizations.
The trees will remain on display in Darien Library from November 28th to January 2nd.
Celebrate the holiday season at Darien Library’s 3rd Annual Lit Tree Lane Stroll! Be among the first to experience the Library transformed into a winter wonderland with beautifully decorated holiday trees by local artists and organizations. Enjoy festive music, catch up with friends, and indulge in refreshments.
No registration is necessary.
Bring on the holiday cheer!
Live Music · Light Bites · Libations
Nov
13
5:30 PM17:30
Nov
13
5:30 PM17:30
Into the Light Opening Reception
The public is invited to attend to a reception for “Into the Light” at The Bruce S. Kershner Gallery in the Fairfield Public Library on Thursday, November 13 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The paintings of Laura Barr, Jim Fiora and Suzanne Heilmann will be featured. They will talk about their work at 6 pm. The show can be seen from November 8, 2025 to January 3, 2026 during library hours.
JIM FIORA
Jim has been creating photographs for fine art and commercial clients for over 30 years. He is primarily self taught, with no formal education in the arts. He dropped out of college for engineering to pursue his passion for photography. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with several talented photographers and artists whom he retains as mentors to this day. He has augmented this experience with workshops, class work and private study, all of which has helped him solidify his vision and hone his technique.
Jim’s work has been exhibited in art centers throughout CT, and is included in many private collections. He states, “In my work I’m drawn to the constructs and quirks of the built environment. In my exploration of imagery I’m attracted most to scenes that are punctuated with strong color and bold graphic forms. I love creating colorful juxtapositions and balance through asymmetry. I’m a sucker for whimsy and have a soft spot for a kind of droll nostalgia. My goal is to create compositions that transcend their simple form and achieve a poetic balance. In all my work I endeavor to demonstrate a strong respect for craft and the process of printmaking.”
LAURA BARR
Laura earned her BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, a BA in Fine Arts from Tufts University and she studied at Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy.
She has exhibited at galleries in Boston and in Connecticut; is affiliated with 3 Walls Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, is a member,of Lyme Art Association, New Haven Paint and Clay Club, and Connecticut Women Artists. Her work is in many collections at Yale, Wesleyan, and other sites. She currently lives and works as a fine artist in Branford, Connecticut.
Laura says, “My work explores color, transparency, reflection and light. I am interested in the theme of impermanence; I depict blissful, fleeting, transcendent moments where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. I am drawn to water and am concerned with its preservation and protection. It’s a common thread in my painting, whether in a glass, a pool, a river, quarry, or sea. I work at the intersection of representation and abstraction, simplifying form and creating compositions with strong underlying geometry. I enjoy the materiality of paint. I often use scale to illuminate my focus, and work in series.
Works in the Kershner Gallery exhibition include pieces from four different series. The oil pastel on archival paper works of the Ocean Elegy series are visual odes that celebrate the beauty of the underwater world. The Here and There series panels feature carefully curated and arranged collections of oil paintings on 4 x 6 inch canvases intended to be viewed as one work. The larger 20″ x 20″ paintings of the In the Moment series are distillations of a scene, and convey the experience of the dreamlike.The subject of liquids in glass vessels on tabletops has long been a fascination. These everyday objects contain worlds of color and light. The shadows, reflections and refractions are of equal importance. The abstract shapes of color unite to create form.”
SUZANNE HEILMANN
Suzanne grew up in a family that had to adapt and integrate into a number of different cultures and countries. Several languages were spoken at home and the family lived in South Africa, Denmark, England and Mexico before settling in the USA in 1968. As a young woman she attended high school in Ct., graduated early and began working in New York City for a leading design firm before attending college at Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore, in their Fine Arts program. She transferred to American University, in Washington DC, before a permanent move to New York City. She finished her BFA in Design at the School of Visual Art in Manhattan, Summa cum laude. She now lives in Ridgefield.
In 1984, Suzanne started her own Packaging Design firm in NYC. In 1987 she entered her packaging and labeling design into the Clio Awards (International awards competition for creative business) and received a Clio nomination for her expertise in packaging and label design. She has exhibited in many galleries throughout Connecticut and other states.
Suzanne states, “Having come from a design and packaging background, I was able to transition into a broad spectrum of art styles which have included a wide range of mediums. The art created is a combination of different materials to produce interesting shadow treatments, colors and textures, ultimately changing the character of the art piece through light effects. The materials can include different medium from such as fabric, paint, paper, plaster, copper/metal and wood, to name a few. Fascinated with texture, 3-D layers, light, space and shadows is how “The Texturalist” was born. Considered a nonconformist, often integrating recycled material into my work to create unique fabrications full of texture and depth.”
Nov
13
5:00 PM17:00
A Night of Hope
A Night of Hope
Join us on Thursday, November 13th from 5 PM – 8 PM at Salon Dada for an evening of celebration, art, and giving back!
We’re marking the 5-year anniversary of Salon Dada with a curated art show and live silent auction benefiting Homes with Hope. Your support helps provide housing and hope for those in need in our community.
Don’t miss out on this impactful and inspiring event!
Salon Dada – 833 Post Rd E, Westport, CT
#ANightOfHope #SalonDada #HomesWithHope #FundraiserEvent #SupportLocal #ArtForACause #WestportCT #CommunityStrong
Nov
6
6:00 PM18:00
Being Seen Opening Reception
Being Seen is an exploration of identity, presence, and self-reflection. Featuring works by 46 artists from our region and community, this exhibition goes beyond traditional portraiture to ask: What does it truly mean to see - and to be seen?
A self-portrait is more than a likeness; it is an act of discovery. In BEING SEEN, artists investigate the self through a range of media, from painting and photography to sculpture and mixed media. Some depict their physical image, while others delve into memory, emotion, concern, or imagination to express who they are.
Each work becomes both a mirror and a window—sometimes reflecting the artist’s inner world, sometimes offering a glimpse into deeper truths. Together, these portraits invite viewers to consider not just how we see others, but how we come to see ourselves.
Participating Artists
Nina Bentley, Tara Blackwell, Miggs Burroughs, Alex Churchill, Lauren Clayton, Tim Cronin, Steve DiGiovanni, Javier Eastman, Jeannine Esposito, Kyle Farmer, Felicia Feldman, Fivefingaz, Joseph Fucigna, Mindy Green, Mari Gyorgyey, Darcy Hicks, Ethan Hoskins, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Jahmane, Nancy Jameson, Sarah King, Kimberly Klauss, Sophia Konstantin, Looketha, Lila Malone, Miguel Angel Mendoza, Eliana Mesa, Denise Minnerly, Duvian Montoya, Lily Morgan, Paige Mostowy, Aisha Nailah, Dale Najarian, Melissa Newman, Lorena Rose Sferlazza Panetta, Yolanda Petrocelli, Sain't Phifer, Butch Quick, Lyman Richardson, Viviane Rivas, Annie Roberts, Matthew Shelley, Remy Sosa, Liz Squillace, Jose Torres, Tiara Trent
Nov
6
to Nov 9
Bridgeport Art Trail
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.
Nov
1
3:00 PM15:00
Paper|Print Opening Reception
A new exhibition opening November 1, a group of 16 talented artists I have been working with. Please come share this wonderful event with us.
Oct
25
5:00 PM17:00
Hope Exhibit and Open Studios
We are thrilled to share our partnership with “The Simlow Breast Center” to honor and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Oct
24
to Oct 26
Surfaces & Spaces and Open Studios Weekend
Wala Open Studios Weekend.
Friday is the opening of “Surfaces and Spaces” curated by Betsy Jesup 6-8pm
Open Studios weekend continues Sat & Sun 11-4pm.
Donations at the door for two art scholarships for Norwalk High School students attending an Art School in the fall 2026.
Oct
23
5:30 PM17:30
David Yarrow Opening Reception
Samuel Owen Gallery, Greenwich, is excited to host David Yarrow at the opening of his solo show featuring some of his newest photographs and the release of his first ever sumo-sized limited edition book, "The Collection". A retrospective of David's work to date, "The Collection" spans over four decades of best-selling photographs and images from the genesis of his career to his most recent work. Each hard-cover monograph from the limited edition of 800 is hand-signed by David and includes a signed print, encased in an archival, clamshell box. Pre-orders can be made through the gallery today.
WORDS BY RIZZOLI
Celebrating the full arc of 40 years’ worth of David Yarrow’s most iconic images, this massive retrospective is the must-have photography monograph of the year.
For four decades, legendary British photographer David Yarrow has created evocative photography of some of the world’s most memorable personalities, sporting moments, and endangered wildlife. With his images raising huge sums for charity, he is one of the most acclaimed and best-selling fine-art photographers in the world today.
RSVP liz@samuelowen.com
Oct
19
5:00 PM17:00
Art Show Benefit for Rising Starr Horse Rescue Opening Reception
Come buy a horse! Art show up till the middle of November. Opening Reception Sunday 10/19. 5-7pm
A portion of the proceeds go to Rising Starr stable, Wilton, Ct. Thank you for supporting the arts and providing a platform in support of these majestic beings!
Oct
18
9:00 AM09:00
Oct
11
5:00 PM17:00
5AM Art Studio One Year Anniversary Celebration
Open Art Studio: One-Year Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, October 11th | 5:00–8:00 PM
Where: 5AM Art Studio, 39 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT
Admission: Free
Details: Join us as we celebrate one year of creativity, community, and collaboration at 5AM Art Studio! This milestone marks a year of sharing art with Norwalk and beyond, and we’re opening our doors for an evening of inspiration and connection.
What to Expect:
Live painting demonstrations
Behind-the-scenes access to working studios & works-in-progress
Conversations with artists about their techniques & inspirations
Light refreshments and music
Special Offer: A free raffle for artwork from studio artists!
“This is our way of welcoming the community intoour world and celebrating the power of creativity together,” says 5ivefingaz of 5AM Art Studio. “We’re especially excited to celebrate this one-year anniversary milestone!”
For more information, follow on Instagram @5amartstudio or visit www.5amartstudio.com
Oct
11
to Oct 19
Beauty is Resistance, our Fall Art in the Barn Exhibition
Beauty is Resistance: art as antidote at browngrotta arts (October 11 - 19) explores how aesthetic creation—especially within textile, fiber, and material-based practices—serves as a form of radical defiance, cultural preservation, and political voice. In an age of political polarization, ecological crisis, and commodification, beauty might seem like a luxury—or a distraction. But for the artists in this exhibition, beauty is not a retreat from reality. It is a strategy of survival, remembrance, and resistance. Beauty is Resistance will feature more than two dozen international artists who harness the power of beauty not as escape but as agency: to mourn, to protest, to remember, to heal, and to imagine.
Gallery Dates/Hours:
276 Ridgefield Road Wilton, CT 06897
Saturday, October 11th: 11AM to 6PM [Opening & Artist Reception]
Sunday, October 12th: 11AM to 6PM
Monday, October 13th through Saturday, October 18th: 10AM to 5PM
Sunday, October 19th: 11AM to 6PM [Final Day]
Works by Wendy Wahl, Aby Mackie, Randy Walker, Photo by Tom Grotta
https://browngrotta.com/exhibitions/beauty-is-resistance
Oct
9
6:00 PM18:00
Fall 2025 Open House at Albano Appliance
Don’t forget to RSVP to our Open House happening on the 9th. In addition to seeing many of our amazing appliances in action, we will be doing a raffle of few amazing items which will benefit @prospectortheater in Ridgefield! #openhouse #appliances #indoorkitchen #outdoorkitchen
Oct
7
5:00 PM17:00
Oct
5
12:00 PM12:00
Pumpkin Paint Party
Pumpkin season = activated! Grab the kiddos and join us at Darien Commons on Sunday, October 5 from 12–3pm for our first Pumpkin Paint Party!
Here’s what you can expect:
Free Pumpkin painting + decorating*
Captain Zig Beer Garden
1 PM Bubble Show that’s sure to wow
Free samples from Bareburger, Chip City, NAYA, Palmer’s Market, sweetgreen & Van Leeuwen!
The perfect fall photo backdrop
Free glitter tattoos* plus a Halloween craft for purchase from Sparklicious!
*Pumpkins, paint supplies & glitter tattoos available for the first 200 guests!
Oct
4
3:00 PM15:00
Moonrise Cartel @ Milford Porchfest
BIG STAGE ENERGY, FRONT PORCH MAGIC
Fresh off a string of sold-out shows and opening for nationally touring acts, The
Moonrise Cartel brings their all-original indie folk rock to the neighborhood. Their single
“Set to Stun” has already surpassed 125,000 streams on Spotify — and the
momentum is only building.
This is your chance to experience them live — FREE at Milford Porchfest, Saturday,
Oct 4 (3–4 PM) at 74 Melba Street, Milford (Point-to-Point zone).
Big stage energy. Front porch magic. One unforgettable hour.
Come on. Join the cartel.
Known for their heartfelt original songs and soaring harmonies, The Moonrise Cartel has quickly
grown from playing local porches to filling big stages across the region. Fresh off high-profile
slots opening for nationally touring acts and with headline shows selling out across Connecticut,
their Porchfest appearance is a reminder of where it all began: connecting directly with fans.
“This is the kind of show that means the most to us,” says Al Pascarelli, singer and songwriter
of The Moonrise Cartel. “We love the big stages, but nothing beats sharing our music at an event
like Porchfest. We can’t wait to bring our energy to Milford.”
#MilfordPorchfest #TheMoonriseCartel #FolkRockFromBlackRock #JoinTheCartel