Arts News

Photo courtesy of Guilford Art Center Guilford, CT — Guilford Art Center (GAC) will open registration for its Summer Youth Program early this year, beginning January 26, 2026. Designed for ages 5–12, GAC’s art camp program offers art classes in painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, sewing and more—all taught by experienced, professional teaching artists in a supportive and inspiring environment. The program will run in weekly half day or full day sessions from

Photo: (clockwise from left) High School in the Community teachers Barbara Greenwood, Georgia P. Kaytis, Charlotte Hilton, Matt Borenstein, 1975. Credit: Barbara Greenwood. New Haven, Conn. (January 26, 2026)– Teachers. Social workers. Secretaries. When we think of women in the labor movement, these occupations may not come to mind. Yet in New Haven and elsewhere, women in white-collar and “pink-collar” jobs broke new ground in the 1970s and ’80s by organizing and demanding

Essex, CT —  In 2026, the Essex Art Association (EAA) proudly celebrates 80 years of championing artists and enriching the Shoreline community through inclusive, inspiring exhibitions. Founded in 1946, the EAA has grown into a vibrant cultural hub, welcoming generations of artists and visitors to its historic gallery at 10 North Main Street in Essex. The milestone anniversary will be marked throughout the 2026 exhibition season, which begins in April and continues through the

Fairfield County, CT (January 20, 2026) - The Board of Directors of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) has named Douglas Laustsen as Executive Director, effective January 20, 2026. CAFC, established in 2008, is a network of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and creative businesses in coastal Fairfield County, and serves as a Designated Regional Service Organization (DRSO) of the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). Laustsen will provide strategic and

For the second concert of the season on February 22, 2026, Essex Winter Series Jazz Advisor Jeff Barnhart is thrilled to announce the return of fan favorite Vince Giordano, who will lead his incredible jazz orchestra – The Nighthawks – for an afternoon of  Hot and Sweet Music of the 1920s and ‘30s ! Beyond at an Essex Winter Series performance, you have probably heard or seen these outstanding musicians in many movies and streaming series, but Vince told Jeff that our audienc

Join the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra for a special cultural afternoon and evening as we present Voices of Hungary on Sunday, March 15, at 2:00 PM at Ann and George Colony Hall, Choate Rosemary Hall.   This inspiring concert celebrates the rich musical heritage of Hungary and features outstanding guest soloists performing works shaped by folk traditions, history, and national identity. A full program listing and soloist information can be found on our website and concert po

Dr. Ainissa Ramirez New Haven, Conn. (January 16, 2026) – The movie “Hidden Figures” has shown there are many aspects of history that remain unknown. Dr. Ainissa Ramirez will share inventions that were created by Black inventors—from the light bulb to the mailbox to the ice cream scoop—during her presentation, “Black Inventors Who Made the Stuff Around Us,” at the New Haven Museum on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. Preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Register here. Th

Lieutenant Governor, State Senator, and State Representative Among Attendees Gathered to Break Ground and Launch the Public Capital Campaign. January 15, 2026 – Ivoryton, CT Ivoryton Playhouse celebrated a major milestone on Thursday, January 15, with a ceremonial groundbreaking and champagne toast marking the start of construction on The Sally and George Mayer Rehearsal Studio, a new, purpose-built rehearsal and storage facility at 122 Main Street in Ivoryton. The event al

We Are Stardust by Rita Daley Hannafin 2026 Guilford, CT – Guilford Art Center is delighted to announce the new gallery exhibition, Local Color 7: Circular Thinking, featuring fiber art created by the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA-CT). It kicks off with a free Opening Reception, open to the community, on Sunday, February 1, from 2-4pm. The show will be displayed in the GAC gallery daily through Feb 28. The gallery is open 7 days a week: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sun

New Haven, Conn. (January 12, 2026) –Historian and author Michael D. Hattem will present “An Unfinished Revolution at 250” at the New Haven Museum on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Hattem will discuss the unique role that the Revolution has had in American life and the longstanding tradition in American history of remembering the nation’s founding as an “unfinished revolution.” The free NH250 event will be held at 6 p.m. and preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Register here.

Catie White New Haven, Conn. (January 9, 2026) – The New Haven Museum will host Albertus Magnus College Interim Director of Library Services and College Archivist Catie White for a virtual lecture, “An IDEA for Education - Albertus Magnus College’s Multicultural Identity,” on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. The event will be recorded and posted on Youtube. Register here. As the first female, Catholic, residential, liberal-arts college in New England, Albertus Magnus Co

Abigail Adams Smith by Mather Brown, 1785 New Haven, Conn. (January 9, 2026) – Nationally renowned textile expert Lynne Bassett will present “Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers: The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams” at the New Haven Museum on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. and be preceded by a reception at 1:30 p.m. Register here. The NH250 event is free with regular museum admission. Keeping things lively with the former first couple’s letters, and garments,

Photo courtesy of New Haven Museum New Haven, Conn. (January 2, 2026) –A family friendly celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at the New Haven Museum on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. The theme of the all-ages MLK Day at New Haven Museum will be King’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Registration for the free event is here. The event will include viewings of Dr. King’s inspiring Nobel acceptance speech, and participation in c

Portrait of the Artisan New Haven, Conn. (December 26, 2025) –In what amounts to a “250 trifecta,” on February 25, 2026, New Haven Museum will kick off a lively, year-long celebration of the nation’s semi quincentennial, with the first of three presentations offering fresh perspectives on the American Revolution. From social movements co-opting the concept of “liberty,” to little-known tales of Paul Revere, to neoclassical fashion from the somewhat cynical perspective of Joh

New Haven, Conn. (December 22, 2025) –If you love the crust, the crunch and the char of New Haven pizza you won’t want to miss the behind the scenes curator’s tour of the “Pronounced Ah-Beetz” exhibit with co-curator Jason Bischoff-Wurstle, at the New Haven Museum, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. The tour is free with regular museum admission. Register here. From Frank Pepe’s original hat to celebrity-signed pizza boxes (including Gwyneth Paltrow and Yogi Berra!) yo

New Haven, Conn. (December 19, 2025) –While July 4, 1776, is considered the birthdate of America, it is the events prior to and since that define much of our shared history. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., the New Haven Museum will debut the Whitney Literary Society, an informal, bimonthly book discussion delving into that colorful history, and focus largely on New Haven which was once the center of governance, education, trade, and culture in Connecticut. Free w

Women Workers Demonstrate for Their Rights Photo credit: Steve Cagan   New Haven, Conn. (December 19, 2025)– 50 years ago Ellen Cassedy was a founder and longtime leader of the 9 to 5 movement of working women that began in Boston. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2 p.m., Cassedy will be at the New Haven Museum for a special screening of the documentary film, “9to5: The Story of a Movement” by the Academy-Award-winning team Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, in which she

New Haven Chorale invites you to: a special offering of two free Zoom lectures  led by Dr. Edward Bolkovac , Artistic Director of the New Haven Chorale. These engaging evening sessions will explore the richness, beauty, and lasting influence of African American musical traditions. Session 1 — January 22 African American Singing Traditions: Their Origins and Aesthetics Dr Horace Clarence Boyer was a renowned expert on Gospel Music as well as on the aesthetics of African Ameri

Old Lyme, CT  — Musical Masterworks continues its 2025–26 season with an exceptional weekend of chamber music on  February 7 and 8, 2026 , at the  First Congregational Church of Old Lyme . The concerts feature acclaimed cellist  Mike Block , renowned pianist  Jeffrey Kahane , and Musical Masterworks Artistic Director  Tessa Lark , violin. Together, the trio brings extraordinary artistry, depth, and musical conversation to the intimate chamber setting. Artistic Director Tessa

Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown is offering a special Winter Session of Advanced Theater and Circus Training for ages 13 - 20 starting January 5.   The six week session features 4 classes, each meeting weekly, and culminates in a Teen Winter Showcase  featuring the work of all classes on Friday, February 13 at 7 pm. Students may sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. The Winter Session provides advanced training rarely available to teenagers, taught by profession