Artbits-July 2, 2026

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Dick

FESTIVALS and SPECIAL EVENTS

Bay Day kicks off America’s 250th Celebration with fireworks, live music by Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, the Cooie DeFrancesco Blues Band, and Soulshine Revival and lots more. The Centennials Picnic in Park ha the Owl Stars. F-35A Lightning IIs of the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard will fly over. Read more…

FIREWORKS

Burlington, Cambridge/Smuggler’s Notch, Colchester, Saturday, Essex, Fairfax, Milton, Richford, St. Albans Bay, and Shelburne all have fireworks. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Dody Susslin. Bryan Gallery features landscapes by James Coe. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Library. Read more…

DANCE

Between the Lines, Mae Gates and Michelle Nordberg all offer Beginner Line Dancing lessons. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Muffin Monday continues. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets to craft and give back. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The St. Albans Free Library hosts an America 250 Tea Party. The Town of Isle La Motte 250th Anniversary Commission has a re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild with a different project each week. Read more…

IN THE SAC

Anne Marie Chates is the Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

IncaHoots (twice), George Murtie (twice), Troy Millette & the Fire Below (twice), the Moondogs, Blake Matteson, Phil Graziano, David Miller, 90 Proof, the Ryan Sweezey Band, Nighthawk, Jeff Shelly, the Old Man Garage Band, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, the Cooie DeFrancesco Blues Band, Soulshine Revival, Jaded Ravins, Model 97, the Dale & Darcy Quartet, Sticks and Stones, the Milton Community Band, Iron Sights/40th Army Band, the John Lackard Blues Band, the Hitmen, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the James Thacker Duet, LC Hines, Staircase 24, the Enosburg Town Band, Chuck Ragan, Evan Jennison, the Grift, Jerband, Jeff and Gina, the Citizens Concert Band, and Nobby Reed all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Many libraries will be closed on Friday and Saturday. The Fairfax Adult Summer Reading Program continues, The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club will discuss Storm Front by Jim Butcher. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 25, 2026

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Dick

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

The Stowe Balloon Festival fills the skies with color and the grounds with music from Franklin County. They have Blue Blazes, the Shane Murley Band, David Karl Roberts, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, Cooie’s Trio, Jaded Ravins, Soulshine Revival, Chris & Erica, the Stragglers, Earthbound Spirits, and Blues for Breakfast. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Anne Standish. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Vermont landscape painter Jan Fowler. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Jordan Bushey will lead a free Family Art Class in Acrylic Painting at the Dick Wright Pub. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

DANCE

Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner Line Dancing at the American Legion Post. Read more…

GATHERINGS

The Highgate Library and Community Center continues Muffin Monday. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets to craft together and give back to the community. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The North Hero Historical Society presents Ron Fierstein’s Historical Post Cards from the Champlain Islands. The Saint Albans Museum hosts an Opening Reception for the 250th exhibition CENTENNIALS: The Gilded Age & The Disco Era in Vermont’s Rail City. Kill Kare State Park welcomes poet Neil Shepard for Words in the Woods. Vermont Reads continues with a book discussion of The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton’s at the Haston Library. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Lynne Gavin will lead the Botanical Printing on Paper Workshop at ReMarketVT. Community Drawing Night has a live model. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Becky Chappell leads the short Canvas Conversations workshop for painters working in any 2D medium. Pat Brennan leads the Handcrafted Greeting Card Quilling Workshop at Island Arts. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Missy Burbo. Read more…

SWANTON ACADEMY

The Swanton Academy fills the Swanton Free Public Library with community for a weekend of classes and workshops with neighbors teaching neighbors. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Seth Yacavone Band (thrice), the Stragglers (twice), Nobby Reed Project (twice), Bad Horsey, the Cobras, Just Us, Sibling Reverie, Sticks and Stones, Mitch & Devon, Michael Perry, Beg Steal or Borrow, Lesley Grant, Young Tradition Vermont’s Sugar in the Pan, the Buck Hollers, Nathan Michaud, Quadra, Big Dog DJ, Plattsburgh Punks, Robbery Punks, Lake City All Stars, Champlain Shoregasm, Skidmark, Sleeveless Tease, the Harley Brown Band with Buddahh, Charlie Rice, Seventeen Strings, Barbie n Bones, Bare Bones, Jenny Red, Minced Oats, Roger Giroux, Kippincoe, Mango Jam, the Calamellus Trio, Antara and Chris Cheney, Duke Aeroplane & the Rumbirds, Collin & Chris of the Tenderbellies, the Missisquoi River Band with Will Patton, the Milkhouse Heaters, Heavy Nettles, Dave Miller, the Enosburg Town Band, Jaded Ravens, and the Citizens Concert Band all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue this week. DonnaRae Menard continues the weekly read of Snuffling Up Bones, Soulshine Revival played the St. Albans Bay Farmer’s Market. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Fairfax Community Library Adult Summer Reading Program continues and the Fairfax Book Club discusses The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Botswick. Marko the Magician will kick off the Summer Reading Program at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. The Haston Library has the Light Pirate discussion and The Green Mile by Stephen King. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 18, 2026

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

The Swanton Free Public Library hosts an Opening Reception for Faith & Joy’s exhibit of original works. The Montgomery Center for the Arts Flips the Switch for the furniture design competition, exhibit, and silent auction. The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Holly Spier. Bryan Gallery features Rick Powell. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Creative Creatures meet to try new crafts. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Library. MAG hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Tipsy Daisy holds a Paint n’ Sip at Snow Farm Vineyard. Read more…

BOOKS and MORE FOR SALE

The Island Arts Book Sale & Bric-a-Brac Market takes over the Homer Knight Barn with paperbacks, hard-covers, some beautiful coffee table books, bric-a-brac treasurers, and restaurant vouchers. Read more…

CALL FOR THESPIANS

Misery in-person auditions are coming to the Opera House at Enosburg Falls. You are going to be just fine. I will take good care of you. I’m your number one fan. Read more…

DANCE

Northern Vermont Ballet Company and Ballet School of Vermont present The Ugly Duckling Children’s Ballet at Colchester High School, Performing Arts Center. There are Beginner Line Dancing evenings at the American Legion and the Highgate Manor. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Montgomery Center for the Arts has a Fiber Arts Meet and Make. The Swanton Arts Council Writers’ Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library. Muffin Monday continues. Franklin County Photogs host a virtual Zoom group at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Roberta Wendel will teach Beginner Punch Needle Rug Hooking. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model. The Milton Artists’ Guild has Cindi LaFayette to guide the Resin Ocean Wave Charcuterie Board project, Robert Waldo Brunelle, Jr., to lead Acrylic Painting Basics, and Social Sunday continues. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Linda Bryant. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Nectar’s Experience 1975 as the N-Zones, X-Rays, Grippo Funk, Nerbak Bros., Bloozotomy, Pure Pressure, Big Dolla, Left Eye Jump, Breakaway, Banjo Dan and the Midnite Plowboys, the Redbirds, Mango Jam, Sneakers Jazz Band, the Abair Brothers, and Blues for Breakfast with Phil Abair, Paul Asbell, Jim Branca, Mr. Charlie and Blues for Breakfast, Alex Budney, Chuck Eller, Tom Freiheit, Dave Grippo, Steve Hadeka, Aaron Hersey, Mathew Nerbak, David Nerbak, Peter Riley, Jeff Salisbury, Seth Yacovone, and Gus Zeising.

The Old Man Garage Band (twice), the Olson Brothers Band, Nobby Reed, Michael Perry, Chris Lyons, Tristen Sellars, D Davis, Django Soulo, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, Carol Ann Jones, Will Patton, Laura Fedele-Rasco, Evan Barber, Chris & Erica, 90 Proof, Bettenroo, 40 Thieves, IncaHoots, Justice 3, Bob Chevalier, Jerborn, Paradox, Dan Parks, She Was Right, Organized Dead, the Blue Rock Boys, Sister Speak, Giovanina Bucci, Barbie-N-Bones, Nowhere Washington, Organized Dead, Bella Joan and Bob Gagnon, and Soulshine Revival, Cooper, Bob Recupero, Merritt David Janes and Broadway in the Islands, Carol Ann Jones & the Superchargers, the Enosburg Town Band, Jam 4 SLAMT1D. the Smokey Newfield Project, Ali T, and the Citizens Concert Band all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue this week. DonnaRae Menard reads Episode 2 of Snuffling Up Bones. The BFA-St. Albans Spring Instrumental Concertwas in the BFAPAC. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Most libraries will be closed for Juneteenth. The Fairfax Community Library Book Club takes up The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Botswick. The Fairfax Adult Summer Reading Program also begins. The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book club reads Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. The Highgate Library Summer Reading Kickoff has the Traveling Storyteller puppet show Three Little Bears. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets to Pick a Patterson. The St. Albans Free Library has Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries to discuss How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kirsten Perrin, plus the Adult Summer Reading Program and an author talk with Jodi Lew-Smith. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 11, 2026

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts Flip the Switch with an Opening Reception and Silent Auction . The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Deborah Shell. NW Access TV was there for the Franklin County Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show. Read more…

ART FOR SALE

The Abenaki Heritage Weekend and Arts Marketplace features the Native Arts Market at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Becky Chappell will lead the new Neurographic Rocks at the Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. The Saint Albans Free Library hosts Adult Crafts to make Beaded Wind Chimes. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

DANCE

Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner Line Dancing at the American Legion and the Highgate Manor has Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg. Read more…

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

St. Albans Pride Corps hosts Pride in the Park with entertainment, food, and vendors all in Taylor Park followed by the Rainbow Drag Show at the Depot. Read more…

FILM

It is Classic Movie Night (and Matinee!) at the St. Albans Free Library with The World of Henry Orient with Peter Sellers, Paula Prentiss, and Angela Lansbury. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Muffin Monday continues in Highgate. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets. Read more…

HUMANITIES

Abenaki Heritage Weekend and Arts Marketplace features storytelling, craft demonstrations, drumming, singing, the Native Arts Market, and a children’s play area at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Hope Johnson presents Quilting in Community in Part 1 of the Fabric of Community series at he Sheldon Historical Society. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Bradley Hendershot leads the Texture Techniques for Winning Watercolors workshop at Bryan Gallery. Susan Smereka leads the free Pride & Joy: Quilt Crafting Event at River Arts. Rebecca Fagga will lead Floral Foundations, a Watercolor Workshop, at ReMarketVT. The Franklin Arts Department holds a Painted Mandala Class with Martha Kinney at the Dick Wright Pub. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model. MAG offers Creativity for the Courageous, a free workshop for first responders and their families with Shea Harvie, Julia Davenport and more. Fiadhnait Moser leads the Acrylic Creatures on Wood workshop and Social Sunday continues. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Jennifer Botting. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Michael Perry (twice), Rushmore, J.D., Tim Brick, Ryan Sweezey & the Midnight Walkers, the John Lackard Blues Band, Tristan Sellars, Seth Yacovone, Lesley Grant, Jerborn, Sean Jarvis, StevieMac, the Willistones, Jesse Agan, the Buck Hollers, Bill Valliere, the Smokey Newfield Project, the Jeff Salisbury Band, Coast to Coast, Real Big Blues, 90 Proof, Jenny Red, the CombustOmatics. Switchel, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, Arthur James, Dead Men Strumming, Thalia, Mark Shelton, George Murtie, the Enosburg Town Band, and the Citizen’s Concert Band all perform live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Authors on Air starts off with DonnaRae Menard to read Snuffling Up Bones. Rebecca Rupp took OLLI on a journey through the Eccentric History of Alcohol. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Enosburgh Public Library group takes up The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom. The St. Albans Banned Books Group discusses The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. The new SPL Classic Book Club begins this week with the Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 4, 2026

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Dick

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

June is National Dairy Month! The Vermont Dairy Festival returns to downtown Enosburg Falls with more entertainment and magical family activities than ever before. The Discover Jazz Festival continues today in the Flynn, Church Street Marketplace, Dog Skate Park, the Flynn, Leddy Arena, Waterfront Park, and many venues around town. The ninth Celebration of Life Festival fills Martell’s Red Fox with Seth Yacavone, About 8, Dale & Darcy, Jess O’Brien, and more. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

Visions of Vermont hosts the Northern Vermont Artists Association’s 95th June Juried Show with an opening reception at the Sugar House Gallery. The Artist In Residence Gallery features Natalie LaRocque, Marissa Mason, Martha Ohlinger, and Deborah Travis with a live reception. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park opens for the 2026 season. The Haston Library hosts an exhibit of fine art photographs by the Crossroads Photography Club. Bryan Gallery celebrates the first solo exhibition of new work by David Utiger, with an Opening Reception. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

The Swanton Arts Council hosts Cardmaking with Barb in the Maker Space of the Swanton Free Public Library. River Arts has the Creative Circle Cafe. Snow Farm Vineyard hosts a Paint & Sip for Spring Birches with Elizabeth Cleary. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

DANCE

Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg and Between the Lines Line Dancing continue. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. Muffin Monday continues in Highgate. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference and the second statewide Creative Sector Convening will both be held in St. Albans City Hall. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Paul Markowitz leads a Mobile Making Workshop at River Arts. ReMarketVT offers workshops in the “basement” creative space. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model. At MAG, Social Sunday continues; Fiadhnait Moser begins Acrylic Landscapes on Wood and continues the Acrylic Creatures on Wood workshop. Read more…

IN THE SAC

Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Ali Boren. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

George Murtie (twice), the MVU Middle School Band and Middle School Strings, high school Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, Staircase 24, the Hitmen, Dan Parks, Almost Sturcrazie, the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan, Two for Flinching, Kwame Vibe’s Shorts and Sundress Party, Boxcar Breakdown, Chris & Erica, Nightrain, Barbie-N-Bones, the Maple Grove Band, the Duncan MacLeod Band, Jeff and Gina, Will Austin, Cooper, Canyonyero, the Dimmer Twins, Lesley Grant Band, Hammerlane, Chris Lyon and Tristan Sellars, Wes Pearce, the Shady Trees, Django Soulo, Tallgrass Getdown, Seth Yacavone, Michele Choiniere with David Gusakov, Will Patton, and Dono Schabner, the Aphasia Choir of Vermont, BFA Bands 1 and 2, the Jazz Band, and the String Ensemble, the Butterfields, Doug’s Open Mic Night, Bad Luck Bliss, Peter Wayne Burton, MOMDAD, the Returnables, Milton Busker and Nobby Reed all perform live at a venue near you.Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club discusses Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts. The Tuesday Night Book Group meets for Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Becky Rupp and Abbey Gaudette reveal that The Brave Little Toaster is quite rare in Books and Beyond at the Swanton Free Public Library.Read more…

PASSAGES

Artist and teacher Al Salzman died in May at the age of 92.Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 28, 2026

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Dick

SUMMER MUSIC

The NW Farmer’s Market concerts, St. Albans Bay Farmer’s Market and Concert Series, Music in the Vineyard, the 24th Farewell Reunion Concert, Discover Jazz, Dairy Festival, Summer Concerts on the Green and more all return for the summer sun. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Susannah Sakal. Bryan Gallery features Steve Clark. NW Access TV was there for the Franklin County Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Coffee and Crafts meets in Highgate. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets in Enosburg. MAG hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

DANCE

City Hall opens the floor for the Points North Line Dance Jamboree as a benefit for the United Way of Northwest Vermont and Franklin County Animal Rescue. Island Arts hosts an Appalachian Clogging Workshop. Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg continues. Read more…

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

Discover Jazz begins Wednesday with Savion Glover, Jason Moran and Chris Dave. Most of the Festival is free. Three Piece Meal, Jon McBride, Liam Bauman & Nora Meier, Wild Leek River, the Weekly Jazz Jam, Dan Ryan Express, the Steve Bredice Quartet, Birdcode, Soule Monde with EVNGwear, and Rachel Ambaye all perform Tuesday or Wednesday. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club. Muffin Monday continues. Read more…

HUMANITIES

A Celebration of Life for Jason Barney will be held at the Highgate Manor. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

The Swanton Arts Council offers Painting with Markers, a Mythic Animal Workshop. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night as well as Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. Social Sundays continue at MAG and Fiadhnait Moser continues the Acrylic Creatures on Wood workshops. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is Wendy Benjamin. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

VachSean (twice), Duncan MacLeod (twice) as Duo and Trio, Jeff Shelley, She Was Right, Ryan Sweezey and the Midnight Walkers, Milton Busker and the Grim Work, Troy Millette and the Fire Below, Andric Severance Organ Trio, P.O.E., the Z Zalewski Quintet, Quintitty, Janea Hudson, Paddy Reagan’s Are You Now?, Bad Horsey, Nighthawk, Frank Erickson, Chris Lyon and Tristan Sellars, Jeremy Harple & John Paul Arenas, Seth Yacovone, Nate Michaud, Brian Conway and Flynn Cohen, IncaHoots, Dan & Sean Jarvis, Prit’Near, Ian Boyle, the Loonz, Jenny Red, Ryan Hanson, Dan Parks, Ethan Sawyer, Tournesol, Hard Scrabble, Vermont Choral Union, Eric Milnes, the Blue Rock Boys, Will Patton and Carol Ann Jones, Lumos Live, Doug’s Open Mic, the MVU Middle School Chorus, the High School Chorus, and the Mastersingers all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Highgate Reading & Discussion Group takes up The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalien. The Sheldon Book Club reads Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt. The Eloquent Page True Crime Book Club discusses Losing Jon by David Parrish. Read more…

 

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