Past Events

Harbors of Refuge: Beauty in the Natural World, An Exhibition of Photography by Stanley M. Kolber MARCH 8 Through APRIL 21 Join us as our third-floor gallery transforms into Harbors of Refuge: Beauty in the Natural World, An Exhibition of Photography by Stanley M. Kolber. Our new exhibit showcases his wondrous photographs. Kolber’s enjoyment in seeking out the beauty in nature is evident in this collection which includes birds in their natural habitat as well as water abstractions.

Community Music School will be offering a new take on music technology this spring, “Music Technology for your Creative Projects Workshop”, to be held on March 9, 2019 from 9:30 am to 12 pm. The program is designed for students who are interested in learning how to record, notate, compose, and produce music using today’s technology! The workshop is open to the public and costs just $40 for a 2.5 hour hands-on workshop. Ages 10 through adult, all skill levels,…

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, singer and guitarist Jeff Snow will put on a concert of Celtic music at the Essex Library at 7 p.m. on March 12. Jeff’s concert will include music and stories from Scotland, England and Ireland. He’ll play vibrant arrangements of traditional classics along with his own compositions on six and twelve-string guitars, autoharp, Celtic Bouzouki and Bodhran. Jeff’s concerts always delight their listeners who are welcome to clap and sing along. This concert…

Sculpting with Spirit for Ages 9-11 Learn how to create fun 3 Dimensional objects using paper maché, mixed media, and found objects. In this class we will explore form, structure, techniques and applications relevant to sculpture. From giant 3D pencils using found objects and paint, to giant paint tubes using paper maché and mixed media, this class is sure to be exciting! Sculptures will be put on display for a short time following completion of class and then returned to…

Sculpting with Spirit for Ages 9-11 Learn how to create fun 3 Dimensional objects using paper maché, mixed media, and found objects. In this class we will explore form, structure, techniques and applications relevant to sculpture. From giant 3D pencils using found objects and paint, to giant paint tubes using paper maché and mixed media, this class is sure to be exciting! Sculptures will be put on display for a short time following completion of class and then returned to…

William Hosley, former curator and exhibition developer at the Wadsworth Atheneum, will present the innovation and history of design of Connecticut furniture in an illustrated lecture at the Essex Library on Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. Hosley will explore various traditions of style as he describes the evolution of furniture making from its beginnings to a modern industry while also offering up a look into the tastes and cultural history of Connecticut residents. His talk will trace the story…

Essex Winter Series 2019 Season New Haven Symphony Orchestra with Violinist Tai Murray An inspiring talent with a silky and sweet tone from even the highest registers of her instrument, the well-schooled and hugely musical Tai Murray has become an essential personality in today’s classical music world. Ms. Murray performs with the Orchestra under the direction of William Boughton in his final season with NHSO. Tickets are general admission and are $40 for adults and $5 for students. Valley Regional…

Spectrum Gallery Exhibit Opens with LOL – Laugh Out Loud   March 29 – May 19, 2019 Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents its newest show: LOL – Laugh Out Loud (Mar 29-May 19) with new and original artwork from artists and fine artisans that will make us laugh and show the humorous aspects of life. The exhibit opens Friday, March 29 (6:30-9pm) and includes wine and refreshments. Artists from throughout Connecticut, New York and New England are…

Learn a new and fun way to present your Easter goodies this year. Master the basic folds for creating two sizes of star baskets as well as a playful paper bunny in this Easter themed origami workshop. There will be a large variety of papers in spring inspired colors to choose from and you’ll see a short video featuring a contemporary origami performance artist. Diagram print outs are yours to take home for future reference. All tools and materials will be supplied,…

Essex Winter Series 2019 Season Chanticleer A program celebrating the ensemble’s 40th Anniversary, Then and There, Here and Now contains music by some of Chanticleer’s favorite composers, from Palestrina and Victoria to Mason Bates and Steven Stucky, lustrous examples of the South American baroque, as well as audience favorite arrangements by Jennings, Shaw and others. Tickets are general admission and are $40 for adults and $5 for students. Old Saybrook High School 1111 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT Call…

Are you searching for something new and unusual to plant in your garden this year? Join Rosemary and Bill Harris of Acer Gardens on Thursday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the Essex Library for a 60-minute discussion on the many new annuals, perennials and shrubs available for the 2019 growing season. Learn about the new perennial cultivars featuring extended blooming periods, dazzling annuals in new and unusual color combinations and shrubs that are available in smaller sizes well-adapted to…

Centerbrook Architects Lecture Series Presents: The Harvard Five: Mid-century Modern In New Canaan with Architect William Earls Since the fifties, "the Harvard Five" has been the catchphrase for the five architects- Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, John Johansen, Philip Johnson and Eliot Noyes who all built houses for themselves and for clients in New Canaan, Connecticut. Other architects, well known (Frank Lloyd Wright, for example) and not so well known, also contributed significant modern houses that elicited strong reactions from nearly…

A Special Wine Dinner with Chef Mellie Lynn of Tiny Kitchen Big Heart Wine, the nectar of the gods, is the perfect accompaniment to an exquisitely prepared meal. Please join Chef and Sommelier Mellie Lynn of Tiny Kitchen Big Heart for a special wine dinner. Each wine in this dinner will be perfectly paired to bring out the flavors of the food heightening the dining experience to a new level. Chef Mellie Lynn will entice your senses at this dinner…

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. In this workshop we will be creating a Zendala, or a mandala comprised of Zentangle Patterns. You will leave with a 10.5 x 10.5 work of art and supplies to continue on your Zentangle journey at home! Place: Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT  06409 Contact: www.spectrumartgallery.org, 860-767-0742 Date:  Sunday, April 14 Time: 1-4pm Cost:  $50 plus a $13 material fee…

Clean Food Fermentation Workshop with Terry Walters Cultivating Nutrition, Taste and Good Health This hands-on fermentation workshop will empower you with knowledge and know-how to make fermented foods part of your daily ritual. Known to improve taste, increase nutrients, and support a strong immune system, fermentation has been used for centuries as a sustainable and delicious way to preserve the harvest and sustain good health. Participants will learn a variety of approaches to fermenting seasonal produce and will make and…

The Essex Library, in collaboration with AARP Connecticut, is honored to invite the public to a free screening and discussion of the PBS FRONTLINE film Being Mortal on Thursday, April 18 at 6 p.m. This is part of a national dialogue taking place in our communities that asks "Have you and your family had the tough conversations and planned ahead?" Carol Bozena, AARP CT Community Engagement Specialist will moderate the discussion after the film. Based on the best-selling book by…

NATIVES WITH A TWIST " BY ADAM WHEELER FROM BROKEN ARROW NURSERY The Essex Library continues its gardening programs this spring with Horticulture Manager Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery for this informative and educational lecture that explores the unique and exceptional side of our native flora. On Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Adam will present his current favorite native trees and shrubs for general garden use including design considerations, cultural requirements and other critical details.  Both novice and…

Author Talk With Mathew Duman: “The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture From Ten American Colleges & Universities Armed with only a camera, a sense of humor and a host of frequent flyer miles, Mathew Duman embarked on a "grotesque safari", traveling to ten universities around the country to photograph the grotesques and gargoyles roosting on their academic buildings. Mathew found that this sculpture makes its home within a style of architecture known as Collegiate Gothic which was popular in the…

Mokume Gane is a Japanese metalworking technique in which thin layers of variously colored metals are fused together, then distorted and ground down to reveal a beautiful pattern. Polymer artists, as they so often do, have developed a variety of techniques that capture the wonderful look of the original metal art form. In this class, we will explore one of the traditional methods of creating mokume gane using polymer clay. The beautiful and unique sheets you will create will be…

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…

FILLS QUICKLY! 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 allows for total freedom to explore the medium and help when 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…

Connecticut River Artisans is happy to begin our 2019 "Artist of the Month" series with Sally Rothenhaus, a photographer and maker whose specialty is "Art for Outdoor Living". A long-time professional photographer, Sally now uses heat and pressure to transfer images onto metal. This is then used to cover her beautiful and very durable birdhouses. She recently brought the outdoors in, using similar materials to make unique clocks with the feel of a kaleidoscope. Like all of Sally's work, they are whimsical and…

Use painted watercolor paper to make a square or rectangular basket. Instructor will pre-paint the paper with fun colors so participants will have a variety of papers to choose from. Learn basic basketry techniques to weave the paper strips into a colorful basket. Applying finish makes these baskets very stiff and usable. Date: Sunday, May 19 Time: 12:30-4:30 Cost: $100 plus $25 material fee paid to instructor Spectrum Art Gallery 61 Main Street, Centerbrook CT www.spectrumartgallery.org