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November 2019
26th Annual Holiday Train Show
Steve Cryan’s family friendly Holiday Train Show exhibit is back on track at the Connecticut River Museum for its 26th year! A fully operational 26 foot train layout, tugboat and train memorabilia, “I SPY" scavenger hunts, and toddler sized viewing layout are all part of the fun for all ages! Come see what surprises train artist Steve Cryan has created this year! Member Opening November 26, 2019 Public Opening November 27, 2019 Sponsored by Lorensen Auto Group and Webster Bank
Find out more »January 2020
Weekend Paint Nights and Private Parties
Every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoons. Guests can produce their own works of art while guided by the skilled hands of one of the many local artists on staff. As aspiring Da Vinci's paint scenes of the river, landscapes, or their own pet, they can enjoy a wide selection of wines and beer available during each session. Afterwards, guests can leave with a work of art in-hand and the knowledge that their leftover paint won't destroy the picturesque…
Find out more »Sunday Hunt Breakfast at The Gris
Sunday Hunt Breakfast / Every Sunday (except holidays) Enjoy the thrill of the hunt each Sunday when a bountiful spread is laid out buffet-style. This sumptuous offering includes a wide array of breakfast and lunch entrées with made-to-order Belgian waffle and omelet stations, breakfast breads, freshly prepared salads, and assorted desserts. The brunch gets jazzier with Dixieland by Freight Train beginning at noon! Reservations recommended. For more information visit http://www.griswoldinn.com 11am to 1pm $24.95/adults; $12.00/children between 7-12; under 6/complimentary
Find out more »Sea Chanteys at The Gris
FREE! Every Monday. 8:00pm - 11:00 pm Join us every Monday as the Jovial Crew brings the Tap Room to life with this old seafaring tradition, extremely popular today. "Jovial Crew" is a good description for both performers and patrons, a very spirited bunch making a very spirited evening indeed!
Find out more »Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris
Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!
Find out more »Spectrum Gallery Exhibit Opens – Appreciating the Everyday
Begin the new year with a new exhibition at Spectrum Gallery: Appreciating the Everyday. Explore original artwork that showcases the imagery of daily events and objects that while we may take them for granted, make our lives easier and more pleasurable – the family dinner, a bottle of wine, a fireplace, and more! Show opens Friday, January Jan 24 with an Opening Reception with wine and refreshments from 6:30-9pm. The exhibit runs through March 15th. 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT.…
Find out more »How to Recognize and Avoid Scams
Consumers are faced with increasingly complex scams and schemes used to defraud millions of people each year. How do you know if an email is real or a fraud? What do you do if someone calls and asks for your personal information? This workshop will show you some common scams and share tips for spotting them when Connecticut Consumer Protection Department’s Catherine Blinder presents an illustrated talk at the Essex Library on Friday, January 24 at 11 a.m. This program…
Find out more »Beginning Drawing Class
Observe and learn to draw forms and shapes. Develop perspective, work with line, contour drawing, shading and tonal values. Charcoal, pencils and pastels are used. Teaching Artist Edward Rosado studied commercial art and graphic design at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. He worked at Hartfield & Zody’s Retail Dept. Stores and was hired as Art Director at Garwood Mills in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Moving to New Britain, CT he was Art Director at The D&L Dept. Stores…
Find out more »Open Call to Connecticut Artists
The Connecticut River Artisans Co-op is hosting an OPEN HOUSE for artists! f you are a Connecticut artist and looking for a new venue to showcase your work, we could be it! We are located in Essex, Ct a well-known tourist attraction and shopper’s destination. We have been established since 1980 and believe we are the oldest Co-op in the state. Stop in, enjoy the refreshments, chat with one of our artists and find out what we are all about.…
Find out more »Essex Ed Groundhog Day Parade 2020
Essex Ed is getting ready for his annual groundhog day parade! It’s time for Ed to come out of hibernation and leave his spacious home, located deep in the woods of Essex. On January 26th at 2:00 p.m., Essex Ed will be starting his journey at Essex Boat Works, making his way up Ferry Street to the top of Main Street, leading a parade of antique cars, fife and drums, residents and visitors. Come ready to make some noise as…
Find out more »Community Music School Free Preview Week
Community Music School welcomes the general public to enjoy a variety of music programming during Free Preview Week January 27 through February 1, 2020. Children and adults are invited to schedule a FREE 30-minute preview lesson, and sample a vast array of programs for all ages including private and group lessons, Suzuki instruction, adult cabaret, senior band, string ensembles, music therapy, early childhood classes, and more. The public is welcome to observe any group class or ensemble during Free Preview…
Find out more »After School Fun with Clay! Ceramics for Kids Ages 7-12
REGISTER for WEDNESDAYS or THURSDAYS Discover the fun of kiln-fired clay. During this class your child will explore the magical world of pottery through creative projects using hand-building techniques from slipping and scoring to coil, slab and pinch techniques. Clay pieces will be fired and then painted in class to enjoy for years to come. DATES: Weds. 1/29; 2/5, 2/12, 2/26; 3/4. Makeup 3/11 Thurs. 1/30; 2/6, 2/13, 2/27; 3/5. Makeup 3/12 Time: 3:30-4:30pm Ages: 7-12 Cost: $120 includes all…
Find out more »After School Fun with Paint! Painting for Kids Ages 7-12
Children learn the principles of painting including color, fluidity, application and layering. The class also studies the painting styles of several professional artists from realistic to experimental. Each piece done in class will be available to take home upon completion. DATES: Weds. 1/29; 2/5, 2/12, 2/26; 3/4. Makeup 3/11 OR Thurs. 1/30; 2/6, 2/13, 2/27; 3/5. Makeup 3/12 Time: 4:45-5:45pm Ages: 7-12 Cost: $120 includes all materials for 5 classes; Members save $12 Register by clicking here! Spectrum Art Gallery,…
Find out more »Collaging onto Vintage Book Covers Class
In this class create three or more collages with vintage book covers as the base. Choose any size book covers you find pleasing, the more imperfect the better. You will be altering the book covers and the rest of the layered pages to build up a finished collaged art work fine art piece. The collage uses the vintage book covers instead of canvas or panel as the base support altering and layering them cover with ephemera, and embellishments. Learn how…
Find out more »Winter Watercolor Studio Class
In these classes learn or review the steps of using transparent watercolor such as building up color from light to dark, painting flat washes, graded washes, layering transparent washes, and wet on wet techniques. Going from light to dark as you preserve the lights and highlights is key to watercolor technique. This approach will be discussed at length as well as studying excellent examples of this way of working. There will be still life setups to work from and photo…
Find out more »Introduction to Mah Jong
Mah Jong is a fascinating game that originated in China and was adopted by Americans in the 1920s. It is a game for 4 people played with beautifully carved Chinese tiles. Allison Friday has taught American and Chinese Mah Jong for about 15 years. Always intrigued by small pieces in boxes, she fell in love with and purchased a Mah Jong set at an antique store before she even knew what it was. Allison will present an illustrated introduction to…
Find out more »February 2020
Winter Acrylic Studio Class
Adult painting sessions for intermediate, advanced and beginner levels. Artists work from reference photos (yours or supplied - primarily landscape or still life). Regular painting demonstrations and the instructor painting along with allows for total freedom to explore the medium and help if needed. Each artist receives individual attention working at their own pace and within their own abilities to develop confidence with better techniques of drawing, composition and color theory. Paintings are developed to a finished stage, working with final…
Find out more »Felted Wrist Warmer Workshop
Create romantic and cozy wrist warmers with Merino wool roving, hand dyed Margilan silk, and bamboo viscose. No sewing involved! Learn how to wet felt fine wool fiber and silk with the use of a resist. Turn fibers into strong fabric with ancient felting techniques updated to use everyday household supplies. Learn about shrinkage, how to design a template, and how to insure your felt is well felted. You will design your own wrist warmers choosing from a wide selection of wool, silk, and bamboo viscose colors.
Find out more »Barnhart/Fryer International All-Star Jazz Band
Veteran jazzman/band leader Vince Giordano will join EWS Jazz Advisor Jeff Barnhart on piano, fellow New Yorkers trombonist Jim Fryer, trumpeter Simon Wettenhall, the dynamic youthful Arntzen brothers: Evan on reeds and Arnt on banjo and guitar, and percussionist Bill Reynolds. Buy tickets here.
Find out more »Italian Cheese Rolling & Taste of Italy Fundraiser
CENTERBROOK – Community Music School will present their fourth annual Taste of Italy fundraiser with a lively game of Italian cheese rolling on February 22, 2022 at Angelini Wine in Centerbrook. Event proceeds will benefit scholarships and outreach programs at Community Music School. This event is presented by Guilford Savings Bank and includes fine Italian wines, cheese, antipasto, and a full spread of locally made Italian food. Guests will test their bowling skills with a little friendly competition in a…
Find out more »Fluid Painting– a Dirty Pour Workshop
Fluid painting involves layering acrylic paints of different densities and incorporating certain additives (i.e. silicone, dimethicone, alcohol, Dawn dish soap (etc.) which can result in gorgeous combinations of paint, cells, and lacing. Techniques include the flip cup,Dutch pour and the dirty pour. No experience necessary. Please bring a hairdryer to the workshop.
Find out more »March 2020
Nature in Colored Pencil Workshop
Please join local artist Betsy Barry for an afternoon of drawing in Colored Pencil! In this workshop learn the basics of drawing using the flexible medium of Colored Pencil. Explore the rendering of a subject from nature using graphite and working on sketches to transfer onto a final piece in colored pencil! Some drawing experience preferable but not required. Materials list will be provided upon registration. For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here!
Find out more »LINU Guitar Duo
Gulli Bjornsson and Jiyeon Kim are two aspiring young artists searching for new ways to promote classical music. Both virtuosic and versatile, Gulli and Jiyeon have received multiple accolades for their guitar playing and have backgrounds in composition, film, electronic music, visual arts and theater. Buy tickets here.
Find out more »BeethovenFest
Seven world-renowned musicians perform Serenade for String Trio in D Major, Op. 8 and Septet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20 in honor of Beethoven's 250th anniversary. Buy tickets here.
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Contact Us
Essex Board of Trade, Inc., P.O. Box 322
Essex, CT 06426 860-767-3904 or email message@experienceessex.com
