Artbits-April 30, 2026

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Dick

VERMONT WEEK

Vermont Week at the Vermont Studio Center welcomes Franklin County Visual Arts Fellows Sah Frechette, Todd Kosharek, and Katharine Whitcomb. Read more…

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, and MORE

The Vermont Spring Book, Postcard, and Ephemera Fair comes to St Albans City Hall with rare, antiquarian, and used books, maps, postcards, prints, posters and paper of all kinds. There will be a book binding demonstration, free book appraisals, and a local author open house with over 33Vermont writers. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The MVU Youth Art Show & Community Art Making Project fills MVU. The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Shanna Ratner. Read more…

ART FOR SALE

The MVU National Arts Honor Society holds the Spring Artist Market and the Missisquoi Mud Season Handmade Market in the MVU Gym. The Snow Farm Vineyard Artisan Market offers a day of shopping, sipping, and celebrating spring. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

14th Star hosts a Pet Portraits Paint n Sip with Linda Oakes Carvalho.. The Dick Wright Pub offers two sessions of a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Glazing Workshop with Stephania Fregeau. The Swanton Free Public Library hosts Diamond Art Bookmarks with Mel. River Arts continues the Creative Circle Cafe. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

CALL FOR SINGERS

The Franklin Community Chorus rehearses at Dick Wright Pub for Memorial Day. The St. Albans All Male a Capella Group practices at the Masonic Lodge. Read more…

DANCE

Between the Lines Line Dancing at the American Legion Landon Post and Michelle Nordberg at the Highgate Manor each offers Beginner Line Dancing. Read more…

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

MVU hosts the All State Music Festival with public concerts. Franklin County Field Days has become a traveling fair. Read more…

FILM

Grand Isle County Mentoring presents the film Gone Guys at the North Hero Community Hall. The film will be followed by a community discussion. Read more…

GATHERINGS

The Dick Wright Pub holds a Quiz for a Cause, a Haston Library Benefit with host Wes Kempton. Muffin Monday continues. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute season concludes with Savanna Crossman to discuss Flower Farming and Growing a Business in Northern Vermont. Vermont Humanities presents Ethan Tapper to discuss How to Love a Forest at the Grand Isle Free Library. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has Chiara No to lead the free Creative Art Series for 60+ Ceramic Bell and Wind Chimes, Kristen Murphy begins a four-session Barn Quilt Workshop, and Mary Reilly explores Drawing with Tone: Advanced Graphite Techniques, in a four-week course. 60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model and Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. Milton Artists’ Guild has Becky Chappell to lead Canvas Conversations, Social Sunday continues, and Fiadhnait Moser offers the Acrylic Creatures on Wood workshop. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council artist of the week is Stephanie Archer. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Doug’s Open Mic Night, George Murtie, Second Hand Blue, Matt Hagen, the Stragglers, Justice 3, Laura Fedele-Rasco, Sticks and Stones, Lady Livy, Lil’ Deb, Ben Farney, the Jeff Salisbury Band, Unruly Allies, Team Jarvis, Tim Brick & the Enablers, Dan Parks, Adlai Waxman all appear live in a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

It’s a busy week at the Eloquent Page. Jason Barney’s newest book, Grand Hotels & Resorts of Northern Vermont, is in stock now with a photo of the Highgate Manor on the cover. Robin Boyle-Laisure and Tamara Mathieu will discuss cults. The Vermont Spring Book, Postcard, and Ephemera Fair will fill St Albans City Hall. True Crime Book Club meets for Cults by Parcast founder Max Cutler. Read more…

 

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Artbits-April 23, 2026

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Dick

THE SWEET TASTE OF SPRING

The 59th Vermont Maple Festival brings a bucketful of events for the first (and sweetest) outdoor festival of the year. From pancake breakfasts to live shows, it all happens in downtown St. Albans starting with the annual Maple Toast. On the stage, in the park, and on the street, look for the BFA Marching Band, the Fiddler’s Variety Show, the Youth Talent Show, Mary Cenci, Izzy, Music with Dave, the Bleeding Hearts Family Band, O’hAnleigh Cindy Hill & Tom Hanley, Pipsqueak the Clown, Creative Chainsaw Art by John, Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate, Jason Tardy, Aim High Canines, Maddi Ryan, the Conniption Fits, the Electric Youth Dance Company, Lexi James, the Redneck Castaway Band , and Isaac French. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Champlain Valley Quilt Guild hosts its bi-annual Quilt Show. The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Patrick Murphy. Bryan Gallery features Gabe Benzur. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

The Milton Artists’ Guild has Cindi LaFayette to guide the Resin Ocean Wave Charcuterie Board project, gallery director Shea Harvie to lead Let it Flow, an Abstract Paint and Sip, and Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. 14th Star and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop. Hearthside Handcrafts meet at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. Maple Glazed Pottery has a Paint-Your-Own Pottery Pop-Up. River Arts hosts the April “Sip n’ Slurry: Pinch Pot Mug” with Chiara No. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library. Read more…

CALL FOR SINGERS and MUSICIANS

The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse for Memorial Day. The St. Albans All Male a Capella Group practices at the Masonic Lodge. Read more…

DANCE

The Electric Youth Dance Company dances on Main Street. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Saint Albans Museum has a busy week stating with a Centennials Outdoor Pop-Up of the Gilded Age & The Disco Era. SAM Talks presents Christine Hadsel for Vermont’s Historic Painted Curtains. The SAM Americana Sampler hosts songwriter Henry Jamison. The Museum holds an Open House for the Maple Festival. Stone’s Throw Pizza hosts a Coffee Hour. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has Chiara No to lead the free Creative Art Series for 60+, Sashiko Mending and Callie Hastings leads Beginner Acrylic Painting. 60 Main Arts has Community Drawing Night as well as Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Becky Chappell for a Whimsical Mixed Media Flowers workshop. Social Sunday continues. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The free Junk Journaling Group meets at the Swanton Free Public Library. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Brew & Boogie Bash Kids Dance Party, Duncan Macleod (twice), Troy Millette, Bob Cotton, IncaHoots, Moonbird, Michael Perry, Abby and Ian, Steep Creek Frenzy, Seth Yacovone, Madigan Linane, the Oleo Romeos, Henry Jamison, Nathan Michaud, the Devon McGarry Band, Bill Valliere, McMaple, the Reid Parsons Band, She Was Right, Ryan Hanson, Dan Parks, Mary McGinniss and the Selkies, Good Gravy, and the Ken Clark Duo all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day. National Library Week continues Saturday. The Fairfax Book Club takes up The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. Franklin County Photogs hosts a virtual Zoom group at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. The Haston Library Book Discussion Group reads The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue. Muffin Monday continues. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for A Sticky Inheritance by Emily James. Two Heroes hosts a poetry reading and book signing for Love, Friendship & Family by Lady Madeline Rose. Read more…

PASSAGES

Island Arts mourns the loss of Ann Rose Ratner Porter. Read more…

 

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Artbits-April 16, 2026

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Dick

CALLS FOR SINGERS and MUSICIANS

The Franklin Community Chorus needs singers to rehearse for Memorial Day. The St. Albans All Male a Capella Group practices at the Masonic Lodge. The Enosburg Falls Town Band rehearsal season has begun. Read more…

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The 2nd annual Franklin County Volunteer Fair invites the community to the Collins Perley to meet 40 local groups with volunteer opportunities. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Upcycled Art Show opens with an Opening Reception at the Swanton Free Public Library. Cambridge Arts Council presents the pop-up gallery Paracosm: And We Dance at 60 Main Arts. The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Karen Mulkey. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Snow Farm Vineyard and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop. Maple Glazed Pottery has two Paint Your Own Pottery events. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center. Sip, Stitch, & Share as well as Creative Creatures meet at the Enosburgh Public Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

DANCE

Between the Lines Line Dancing at the American Legion and Michelle Nordberg at the Highgate Manor both offer Beginner Line Dancing. Read more…

GATHERINGS

The Swanton Arts Council Writers’ Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library. Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets. Read more…

HUMANITIES

Osher continues as Larry Trombley delves into the Franco Migration to New England. Saint Albans Museum has an installations and pop-up event, a hands-on printing press workshop, and a look at underwater archaeology. Vermont Humanities teaches teachers to teach infants and toddlers Social-Emotional Development through Children’s Literature. Stone’s Throw Pizza hosts a Coffee Hour. Jim Jones talks about Trolley Wires to Rubber Tires at the Milton Grange Hall. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has Chiara No to lead the free Creative Art Series for 60+, Evie Mason to lead the Watercolor Basics Beginner Workshop, Anah Witt for the Beginners Wheel-Throwing lesson series and Callie Hastings to continue Beginner Acrylic Painting. Alyssa DeLaBruere leads Capturing the Landscape in Soft Pastel at Bryan Gallery. 60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts Community Drawing Night as well as Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. Milton Artists’ Guild continues Social Sunday and Terri Severance leads a Soulful Vision Boards workshop. Read more…

SWANTON ACADEMY

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

ON STAGE LIVE

Tim Brick (twice), Seth Yacovone (twice), a Bluegrass Jam, Cooie Sings, Kyle Stevens, VacSean, Bad Horsey, Two for Flinching, Nickel and Dime, Emily Darcy, the Craigs, Blue Gravy, Michael Perry, the John Lackard Blues Band, Honey and Gravel, Hammer Lane, Roland Clark, Chris Parker, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, Dueling Pianos, A House on Fire, Corey and Friends, Jerborn, the Smokey Newfield Project, O and Schu, Kippincoe, Sister Speak, the Guid Folk, Lewis Franco and the Missing Cats with Will Patton, Evan Alsop all play live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

National Library Week is April 19-25. The Enosburgh Public Library Reading & Discussion Group takes up The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre. The Fairfax Community Library Book Club reads The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. Muffin Monday continues. The Eloquent Page welcomes Julia Greenshaw to sign Knave of Sands. Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries discusses The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. The Swanton Free Public Library SPL Book Club meets for The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins and But I Progress takes up The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. Read more…

 

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Artbits-April 9, 2026

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

Franklin County Quilters host the 26th Anniversary Quilt Show in the St. Albans City Hall. Quilts of Valor will present quilts to veterans. The Milton Artists’ Guild celebrates its 9th Anniversary with the Buck Hollers, Rebecca Padula, and Vermont Suzuki Violins. The Artist In Residence spotlights Cat Mckeen. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Michael Glier. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

The Swanton Arts Council hosts Cardmaking with Barb plus Barn Quilting with Marie Speer. 14th Star and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop. Hearthside Handcrafts meets at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. Snow Farm Vineyard hosts a Paint & Sip with Elizabeth Cleary. Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library. Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd. Read more…

CALL FOR MUSICIANS

The Enosburg Falls Town Band rehearsal season has begun in the Enosburg High School band room. Read more…

DANCE

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

FILM

It is Classic Movie Night at the St. Albans Free Library for Oh Brother, Where Art Thou with George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets to craft together and give back to the community. Read more…

HUMANITIES

Osher continues with Laura V. Trieschmann to discuss Historic Preservation In Vermont. Stone’s Throw Pizza hosts a Coffee Hour to discuss the pressing issues of the day. Vermont Humanities and the Haston Library present Jill Mudgett to tell the story of Murder in the Vermont Woods. Read more…

THEATER

GEMS Theater presents Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion with a cast of eccentric characters. MVU Musicals presents Anastasia, the Musical in the Trahan Theater. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts Chiara No leads Watercolor Postcards for Creative Art Series for 60+ and Callie Hastings begins Beginner Acrylic Painting at River Arts. ReMarketVT offers Just Add Water with Dot Goulet. Stephania Fregeau concludes the Three Class Pottery Workshop. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model plus Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. The Milton Artists’ Guild Social Sundays continue and Shanley Triggs concludes the Introduction to Watercolor Class. Annette Goyne leads a new Spring Intro to Watercolor at Montgomery Center for the Arts. CVOEO hosts a webinar on Intellectual Property Basics. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Rockin’ Ron Gagnon (twice), Seth Yacovone (twice), Shane’s Apothecary, She Was Right, the Hitmen, Tim Brick, Before This Time, Michael Perry, the Cat Spruce Band, Beg Steal or Borrow, John Paul Arenas, Nathan Michaud, Sibling Reverie, Dan Parks, the Smokey Newfield Project, the Lloyd Tyler Band. the Stragglers, David Karl Roberts, the Lavendair Band, Roger Giroux, the Misty Bay Ramblers, the Young Tradition-VT Touring Group, and Carlos all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Friends of the Georgia Library holds an Inaugural Meeting. Muffin Monday continues. The ILM Book Club reads Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown. The Tuesday Night Book Group will discuss Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. The Banned Books Group discusses Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Read more…

 

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Artbits-April 2, 2026

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence Gallery features Anne Standish and Dody Susslin with a live reception at the gallery. Spring is here at the Bryan Gallery with works by Michael Glier, William Gotha, Erik Koeppel, and Eric Tobin. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

River Arts has a Paint & Sip of Bright, Bold, Joy-Filled with Jen Volansky and the Creative Circle Cafe continues. The Saint Albans Museum has a free Historic Paint & Sip with Linda Oakes Carvalho. 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

There is Beginner Line Dancing at the American Legion and at the Highgate Manor. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. The River Arts Creative Art Series for 60+ with Chiara No continues. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute season continues with Mary Val Palumbo to discuss Keeping Your Mind Sharp: The Role of Learning in Aging Well. Historian Alan Berolzheimer discusses River Memories: Exploring Settlement Patterns on Waterways in Vermont. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has Needle Felting 101 with Carmella Cyr and Watercolor Escape, Landscapes, Cityscapes & Seascapes with Evie Mason. The Milton Artists’ Guild hosts Harnessing AI for Social Media Growth with Julie Jones, Intro to Photography with AJ Murray, Social Sunday, and the two-session Introduction to Watercolor Class with Shanley Triggs. Meagan Van Woert continues the Craft Series of Canvas Bags at the Dick Wright Pub. 60 Main Arts continues Community Drawing Night with a live model plus Creativi-Tea Tuesday with Karen Winslow. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Adlai Waxman, George Murtie, Dan Parks, Sticks and Stones, Just Us, Laura Fedele-Rasco, Nathan Michaud, Lady Livy, 90 Proof, Real Big Blues, Sibling Reverie, the Owl Stars, Season of Yes, Will Austin, Arthur James, Cordelia Curvy, Strange Charm, Cat Atrophy, Carmen Eroxide, Aphrobitey, Trinity Divine, Mike Mac, and Nobby Reed all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Bent-Northrop Book Discussion group meets for Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer. Vermont Humanities continues Vermont Reads with The Light Pirate book discussion of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s meditation. Muffin Monday continues. The Eloquent Page True Crime Book Club discusses I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara and the Fantasy Book Club meets for Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Read more…

 

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Artbits-March 26, 2026

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on Martha McGinn. Bryan Memorial Gallery features local artists at the Affordable Art Fair. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

14th Star Brewing Company hosts a Pet Portraits Paint n Sip with Linda Oakes Carvalho. Hearthside Handcrafts meets at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. River Arts hosts the March Sip n’ Slurry: Hanging Planter with Chiara Keeling. 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. The Highgate Manor has Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg. Read more…

GATHERINGS

Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library. The First Baptist Church hosts a Christian Artists Afternoon and Open House. The River Arts Open Studio Community and Wellness Space for LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Allies continues. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues with Rebecca Rupp to discuss Paul Revere’s Rum, Ethan Allen’s Cider, and Bathtub Gin: An Eccentric History of Alcohol. Vermont Humanities and the Saint Albans Museum present historian J. Kevin Graffagnino to discuss Conseulo Northrop Bailey: A Vermont Pathfinder. The Dick Wright Pub celebrates Women’s History Month with Franklin’s Silent Generation with Mandi Gates. In this special Farmers’ Night program, Nadine Budbill, and actors Abby Paige and Mark S. Roberts read The Poetry of a Place & Its People. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has Crochet 101 with Carmella Cyr plus Jen Volansky to explore Archetypes in Art in a Mixed Media Workshop, Chiara No to lead the free Creative Art Series for 60+, and Evie Mason to continue the Watercolor Escape, Landscapes, Cityscapes & Seascapes. Lise-Anne Cooledge and Jen Thompson from ReMarketVT will lead Beeswax Wrap and Candle-making at the Bryan Gallery. The Franklin Arts Department concludes the three part Painting Series: Franklin Scenes with Jordan Bushey. 60 Main Arts hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model and Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow. The Milton Artists’ Guild has Cindi LaFayette’s Resin Ocean Wave Charcuterie Board Workshop plus Julia Davenport to guide An Easter Zentangle Eggztravaganza, Annelein Beukenkamp to lead Blooming Bold Blossoms–A Spring Watercolor Workshop, and the ongoing Social Sundays. Annette Goyne concludes the Spring 2026 Watercolor Classes at Montgomery Center for the Arts. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

George Murtie (twice), Doug’s Open Mic Night, Bart Feller, the BFA Improv Team, the Rock Band Show with A-319, plus BFA, SATEC, SACS, and MVU, Tim Brick, Nighthawk, Michael Perry, the Shady Trees, Dan Parks, Chris & Issy, Quadra, Burlington Baroque, St John’s Passion, Eric Milnes, L’Harmonie des saisons, Northern Lights, Sleeveless Tease featuring Narah Sparks, the Buck Hollers, the Bushey/Bedell Trio, Dale and Darcy, Phil Graziano, the Vermont Mandolin Trio, Nathan Michaud, Experience Queen with Jesse Agan, the Young Tradition Vermont Touring Group, Captain Radical, Mark Shelton all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue with DonnaRae Menard and Linda Longtoe Sheehan, Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Fairfax Community Library Book Club takes up Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous. Muffin Monday continues. The Sheldon Municipal Library Book Club reads The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Read more…

 

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