Birds & Beasts

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Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook

Celebrate the beauty, uniqueness, and power of the animal kingdom with Spectrum Art Gallery’s Birds & Beasts, a seven-week exhibition featuring paintings, photography, and sculpture inspired by birds, other wildlife, and the natural world. The show explores the many ways artists interpret creatures large and small, from birds in flight and animals in their natural habitats to symbolic, imaginative, and sculptural representations of the animal kingdom. The exhibition opened Friday, July 17, and Birds & Beasts runs through Saturday, September 5. Spectrum Gallery also offers an Artisans Store filled with pottery, glass, home décor, children’s toys, jewelry, and other handcrafted accessories created by regional artists. Spectrum Art Gallery is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Gallery hours: Wed–Sat (12–6pm) and Sun (12–5pm). For more information about gallery exhibits, artist opportunities, summer camps, and classes and workshops for children and adults, call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.

Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

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Essex Village

The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com

Free

EAA Elected Artists Show Opening Reception & Silent Auction

The Essex Art Association 10 N Main Street, Essex

Please join us for the EAA Elected Artists Show Opening Reception on  Friday, August 14th at 6 pm, with a new special feature: the 80 for 80 silent auction, as we celebrate our 80th year! The show dates are August 7th thru the 30th. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 pm, Wednesdays thru Sundays at 10 North Main Street in Essex, CT. The Essex Art Association, housed in a historic Essex building, has served the Shoreline area as a nonprofit seasonal art gallery since 1946. We were the first local art association to embrace all styles of art, from the traditional to the cutting edge. The excellence and variety of our shows have made the EAA an outstanding exhibition venue showcasing quality art.

Free