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  • Autumn & Halloween Card Making

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

    Welcome to the September/October card making workshop at Spectrum Gallery.  In this unique workshop learn to compose four different layouts, create watercolor backgrounds using stamping and stenciled backgrounds using glitter and Xylon tape.  Become comfortable with Mod Podge as you embellish your Autumn glass jar candle with accent paper painted leaves.  Only supplies to bring are scissors, ruler, liquid glue or glue stick, double sided tape and any other embellishments that excite you. These are the perfect handmade gifts to wish friends and family a joyous Fall season and a Happy Halloween! Introducing Nancy Souza, a teacher, mixed media artist and crafter. Creating unique cards and paper projects using a variety of techniques, colorful cardstock and card layouts including inks, stencils, collage, upcycled vintage items, and more. Souza is a certified teacher, teaching at the elementary & high school levels and graduate level courses at Sacred Heart University Griswold High School campus, including her 6th Year post graduate level. Twenty-six years ago, a teaching colleague suggested Nancy sign up for a local card making class and the rest is history.  It’s been an interesting and rewarding crafting journey both taking classes, sharing with crafting friends and teaching fellow crafters. Souza […]

    $25

  • Painting a Black Cat in Watercolor

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

    For many, painting a dark or black subject in watercolor is challenging, but this workshop will put all your fears aside and help you overcome those obstacles. The techniques used to paint this particular subject can be applied to virtually anything dark, like a black dog or someone’s hair or jacket, etc.  Instructor provides reference(s), or participants can use their own, from which a contour (outline) drawing will be made by each participant before class. Instructor shows all steps taken to create a complete painting. A basic drawing ability is helpful but not necessary. Supply list provided upon registration. Bivenne Harvey Staiger is known for her colorful, dramatic watercolors of natural motifs she loves, like birds, other animals and flowers, and is the recipient of many prestigious awards.  Among the most recent is the Silver Medal from the American Watercolor Society’s 152nd International Exhibition (2019).  She is professionally affiliated with many art groups, including but not limited to the Salmagundi Club, American Artists’ Professional League, Academic Artists Association, Connecticut Academy of Fine Artists, Connecticut Watercolor Society, and many others.  Bivenne regularly gives instruction, demonstrations and workshops in watercolor, and in fact has an upcoming weekend workshop, focusing on painting flowers […]

    $100

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • In Gallery – Shrine Assemblage

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    During this class participants will create three-dimensional artistic compositions made by combining various everyday objects, scraps and/or materials such as wood, metal, cloth or paper into a unified whole. Assemblage is closely related to collage but extends into sculpture. It is a mixed media construction combining the artist’s creativity and the visual appeal of themed collections. Your collections mirror you and inspire you to create. Put on your “Bag Lady “garb and wherever you go let your creative instincts take over. As a mixed media artist, you most likely have already been finding inspiration in 3-dimensional paraphernalia and cut up imagery. Assemblage creates a synchronicity between you and the objects you choose to use. It highlights transformation of your collections and “spotlights” a theme, letting images and objects speak to the viewer. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract.  These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons.  Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has lived and […]

    $25 – $160

  • On Zoom – Personal Shrine Asssemblage

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    During this class participants will create three-dimensional artistic compositions made by combining various everyday objects, scraps and/or materials such as wood, metal, cloth or paper into a unified whole. Assemblage is closely related to collage but extends into sculpture. It is a mixed media construction combining the artist’s creativity and the visual appeal of themed collections. Your collections mirror you and inspire you to create. Put on your “Bag Lady “garb and wherever you go let your creative instincts take over. As a mixed media artist, you most likely have already been finding inspiration in 3-dimensional paraphernalia and cut up imagery. Assemblage creates a synchronicity between you and the objects you choose to use. It highlights transformation of your collections and “spotlights” a theme, letting images and objects speak to the viewer. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract.  These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons.  Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has […]

    $140

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Beginning Sewing for Ages 11-15

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    Prepare to be creative and amaze yourself and family with what you sew in this 5-session class.  You will learn proper use and basics of the sewing machine. Each week there will be fun projects to build skills and boost your confidence to advance to the next level.  Projects may include: pin cushion, tote bag, drawstring bag, hair accessories such as scrunchies and bows, pillow, or stuffed animal as time and interest allow. Sewing machines and all supplies are included, but if you have a sewing machine bring it but make sure it is in working order. Include the foot pedal, power cord, needle, empty bobbin and manual. Jillian Nielsen began sewing and designing at a young age, attending fashion design programs in Connecticut and NYC, attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock and has a Certificate in Costume Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She was the equine costume designer for the CT Opera Company’s “Carmen” and she is currently a costume designer for “Listen to Me”, a new interpretation of Gertrude Stein’s work. She has taught Spectrum Art Gallery’s Fashion Week for two years and has her fiber and jewelry creations for sale at Spectrum Art Gallery in […]

    $20 – $140

  • Tuesday Night Trivia

    Recurring
    Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT, United States

    What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com

    Free

  • Baby Band (Birth – Age 2)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for children ages birth – 2 and their caregivers. Music is one of the earliest ways babies learn about the world! In Baby Band, caregivers and little ones will sing, dance, bounce, clap, and explore child-safe instruments in a playful, engaging environment. Along the way, babies strengthen early literacy, communication, motor, and social-emotional skills while caregivers discover fun ways to continue the music at home. No pressure to sit still, wiggles, giggles, and movement are all part of the fun! What to Expect: We’ll start by singing some familiar songs to get the party started. Then, we’ll explore rhythm with scarves, shakers, drums, or other child-safe instruments. Before we end, we’ll sing a goodbye song! After baby band, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

  • At the Gallery – Personal Shrine Assemblage

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    During this class participants will create three-dimensional artistic compositions made by combining various everyday objects, scraps and/or materials such as wood, metal, cloth or paper into a unified whole. Assemblage is closely related to collage but extends into sculpture. It is a mixed media construction combining the artist’s creativity and the visual appeal of themed collections. Your collections mirror you and inspire you to create. Put on your “Bag Lady “garb and wherever you go let your creative instincts take over. As a mixed media artist, you most likely have already been finding inspiration in 3-dimensional paraphernalia and cut up imagery. Assemblage creates a synchronicity between you and the objects you choose to use. It highlights transformation of your collections and “spotlights” a theme, letting images and objects speak to the viewer. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract.  These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons.  Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has […]

    $25 – $160

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Become a Green Superhero!

    Ivoryton Library Association 106 Main St, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Want to reduce the waste you create? Join Karen Evans, environmental educator and member of Sustainable Essex, for a hands on workshop focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling, and rethinking!

  • FREE Pumpkin Carving at Brickside Pizza

    Brickside Pizza 107 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Help fill The Ivoryton Village with glowing Jack-O-Lanterns for this year's Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival! Pumpkin carving tools will be provided but you can also bring your own. Your pumpkin will be displayed at the festival on Saturday and then you can take it home with you! RSVP is greatly appreciated so we can have the right amount of pumpkins; bricksidepizza104@gmail.com or 860-767-2555

  • Valley Warriors Football Fundraiser with Brickside Pizza

    Brickside Pizza 107 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Support the Valley/LOL Football Team by ordering on this special fundraiser day. A portion of our sales for dine in and take out will be included in our donation!

  • Botanical Study in Colored Pencil

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    This class is designed for students with some experience using colored pencil and have basic concepts of botanical illustration. This course will focus on drawing a complete botanical study over the four-week session. Students will plan and draw each component of the study week by week resulting in a frame-able work of art. The teacher will provide the oversized paper, tracing paper for sketches and the flower subject. Short material list available upon registration. Nancy Bentivegna is a botanical artist who received her training at the New York Botanical Gardens through the Botanical Art and Illustration Program. After completing the program in 2010, she relocated to Boston. For the past eleven years she has been teaching a variety of botanical art classes in Boston and the greater Boston area. These courses are based on the instruction she received at the NYBG and include colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and watercolor pencil. Nancy prefers to work in watercolor pencil combined with colored pencil for depth and detail. She does custom pieces for clients both in the Boston area and New York. She recently relocated to Essex and will be offering classes at the Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook. Dates: Thursdays: Oct. […]

    $15 – $130

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • EBOT Business After Hours with Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce at Prive Swiss MedSpa

    Prive Swiss Med Spa 10 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Join the Essex Board of Trade for our next Business After Hours with the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, and will be held at Prive Swiss MedSpa.  BAH a relaxed time with light refreshments, great conversation, and the chance to explore one of our local member businesses. Date: October 22Time: 5 to 7 pmPlace: Prive Swiss MedSpa This event is a special perk for EBOT members, but if you're curious about joining, this is the perfect time to learn more! Membership connects you with our vibrant local business community, gives you a voice in town events, and offers valuable networking opportunities.  Learn how to become a member:  https://essexct.com/join-now-contact-form/

    Free

  • Glitz and Glamor: The Gilded Age in Southeastern Connecticut at Essex Library

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    A talk at Essex Library about the so-called Gilded Age from the 1870s to the 1910s, when New London and Groton became playgrounds of the wealthy. New London's Pequot Colony and Groton's Eastern Point attracted the wealthy and influential including U.S. presidents, celebrities, artists, Supreme Court justices and families such as the Plants and Harknesses. In turn, the region also benefited from the philanthropy of these people of power and privilege.  Learn about the people and places of the Connecticut shoreline during this era of excess with Gail B. MacDonald.

  • Little Learners Story Time: Pumpkin Patch Party! (Ages 2-5)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for kids ages 2-5. We’re heading to the pumpkin patch for a story time full of fall fun! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

  • Introduction to Painting with Gouache

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    This course focuses on gouache skills and techniques such as water to paint ratios, color mixing, shading and gradients, brush control including dry bushing, layering and glazing techniques and how to stay vibrant not muddy using this medium.  Work on a painting on illustration board of a subject of your choice. Paint with joy and not frustration. Supply list available upon registration. Sandra Garofalo is a painter and illustrator whose talents shine through a variety of mediums, with a primary focus on acrylics, gouache, photography and glass—both hot and cold. She began her artistic journey illustrating for Spotlight, Motorboat, and International Yacht magazines. During this time her love for depicting fish and shorebirds truly began to blossom. Later, she pursued a teaching career in advertising, art, and digital design. After retiring, she moved to her current home in Connecticut. Spending quality time in Southwest Florida, Sandra’s inspiration flourished into a vivid explosion of color and creativity. Surrounded by exotic wildlife in their lush habitats, she found herself constantly flooded with imagery that sparked emotional, expressive artwork. “The vibrant variation of color on the fish and other wildlife — as well as their                surroundings —is more than exciting to capture in paint,” she says. […]

    $160

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Book Decorating (for National Book Month)

    Ivoryton Library Association 106 Main St, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Kids, teens, and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Book Month with bedazzling books! We will decorate book covers to be uniquely ours, and enjoy all things books!

  • Tween Time: Ramen Noodle Taste Test (Ages 8-12)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for tweens ages 8-12. Celebrate National Noodle Day at the library by trying different ramen noodle cup flavors from around the world, and right here at home! We’ll start by learning about Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Food Products (one of the most popular ramen brands), test different cups of noodles, vote on our favorites, and crown the ultimate noodle champion! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

  • Future Fashionistas: Learn to Design and Illustrate Like A Pro! Ages 11-15

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    Do you have a passion for style? Do you fill your notebooks with clothing doodles and dream of seeing your own designs on the runway? Step into the shoes of a real designer in this immersive, hands-on fashion illustration course! This creative studio class guides you through the entire process of bringing fashion to life. Start by mastering the fundamentals of the fashion figure and practicing dynamic poses used by professional designers to showcase clothing. As you  dive deeper into illustration, you will learn to identify classic fashion silhouettes, speak the language of style with standard fabric terms, respond to fun design prompts, and curate your  own custom color palettes. Using a mix of pencils, markers, and watercolors, practice the step-by-step workflow of brainstorming quick concept sketches and polishing them into portfolio-ready finished art pieces. All materials are provided! Just bring your imagination and enthusiasm.  A curated supply list will be provided at the start of class if you wish to keep creating and building your own toolkit at home. Jillian Nielsen began sewing and designing at a young age, attending fashion design programs in Connecticut and NYC, attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock and has a Certificate in Costume […]

    $15 – $160

  • Trek-or-Treat Hike with ELT & ILA (All Ages)

    The Millrace Ivory Street, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Program for families with children of all ages. The libraries and Land Trust are joining the Pumpkin Festival this year! Join Essex Library, Ivoryton Library, and Essex Land Trust for a family hike through The Millrace Preserve! Kids and families are invited to solve silly Halloween riddles as they walk along a festive path, enjoy a treat afterward courtesy of ELT, and take home a fun craft kit, courtesy of the libraries! This is a 15-20 min self-guided hike, come any time during the scheduled time frame! This program is free and open to the public. This program will be held at The Millrace, Ivory St, Ivoryton. In the event of rain, this program will not be held. No registration is required, drop in!

  • Modern Minimal: Exploring Analog Collage

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    This art class welcomes participants of all skill levels who are interested in analog collage. The course introduces the fundamentals of collage, focusing on minimalism and the use of a limited palette. Through guided exercises, the class learns how to select and arrange images to create visually engaging compositions. Emphasis is placed on simplicity and balance to encourage creativity within constraints and foster an appreciation for a clean, modern aesthetic. Over four studio sessions, participants practice the essential methods of analog collage: selection of substrates, cutting techniques, adhesive applications, color theory, and composition.  Projects such as creating a master board, starting and updating a studio notebook, designing artist trading cards and finally creating a personal collage are designed to practice newly acquired skills and  encourage participants to develop their own unique modern aesthetic. Small supply list available upon registration. Molly Waite Lund is an analog collage artist who lives in Essex, Connecticut.  As a self-taught artist, Lund is continuously experimenting with color, shape, relationships, and negative space.  She is compelled to repurpose vintage papers as a reminder of the history that has shaped her life. In her collages, the world that Lund imagines is a place where the familiar becomes […]

    $5 – $130

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Tweens & Teens Make Spooky Candles (Ages 8-18)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program designed for tweens and teens ages 8-18! It’s spooky season! Celebrate by making festive candles with cool, spooky temporary tattoos! All supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

  • Trunk-or-Treat

    Ivoryton Village Alliance P.O. Box 88, Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Come enjoy a fun Halloween evening filled with decorated trunks, costumes, candy, spooky displays, and family-friendly fun for kids and families throughout Essex. Trunk or Treat is part of the Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival, making it a great stop for families enjoying the day’s Halloween festivities. Bring the kids in costume, stroll through the decorated trunks, and enjoy a great community Halloween celebration. Interested in displaying a trunk? This year, residents of Ivoryton, Centerbrook, and Essex Village are all invited to take part. Contact the Ivoryton Village Alliance at IvorytonVillageAlliance@gmail.com One Town – Three Villages – One Great Halloween Celebration.

  • Felting a Pumpkin Workshop

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

    Needle felt a 4- 6” wool pumpkin using colorful wool & sheep’s locks with all materials and use of tools included along with step-by-step instruction. This is a fun, beginner friendly workshop suitable for anyone wishing to make their own beautiful fall keepsake! Ages 9+ are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Lori Neumann is a local artist working in oils, acrylics & pastel.  Lori studied Fine Arts at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and has exhibited at galleries and art shows throughout New England & Kentucky. Lori especially enjoys working with a palette knife in plein air while hiking at dawn and dusk. Lori is a member of the CT Academy of Fine Arts, the CT Pastel Society, the Madison Art Society, the American Impressionist Society and the Lyme Art Association.  Lori especially enjoys painting rural New England landscapes & farm animals. She shares & teaches the love of art and believes that within each of us there is an artist, waiting to be released! Presently, she shows her work at Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook, CT.

    $65

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • River View Cemetery Historic Walking Tour

    River View Cemetery 31 North Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Join EHS Director, Melissa Josefiak as she guides a tour of historic River View Cemetery, which dates back over 300 years! Located on the shores of the Connecticut River, River View Cemetery testifies to the early history of “Potapaug,” as Essex was once known, with the oldest gravestones dating from the early 1700s.  Come hear the stories of the cemetery’s ‘residents’ including: the influence of the town’s first pastor: a traitorous sea captain; an enterprising mother/daughter team; and many other engaging and touching tales.  Learn about changes in gravestone art – from grimacing “death’s heads” to ornate obelisks.  Enjoy the cemetery’s beautiful grounds as we trace its history from a simple burial yard to the park-like setting of today, especially during this twilight tour starting at 4pm.   The tour lasts about an hour over uneven, sloped, grassy terrain for about half a mile.  Walkers should wear proper footwear and possibly bring a flashlight for the twilight tours.  While this tour is based on historical facts and is not intended to be ‘haunted’, historical details about death and disease may disturb young walkers. Register Each tour is $10 per person; free to EHS members.   Limited parking is available in […]

    $10

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Do One Thing!

    Ivoryton Library 106 Main Street, Ivoryton, United States

    This fall, Sustainable Essex will sponsor a “Do One Thing!” initiative  in our community to raise awareness and celebrate the sustainable activities that businesses, local organizations, schools, and individuals are doing. Sustainable Essex will hold SEED presentations (Sustainable Essex Environmental Discussions) at the Ivoryton Library. Topics will include: Sustainable Lawn Care; Alternative Methods of Transportation & Travel; Basics of Composting; Reducing waste workshop for children and parents, ages 4 and up.  Sustainable Essex is asking all local businesses and organizations that would like to participate in this campaign to have some type of tree - paper, cardboard, 3-D, real branches, etc. in a visible place. We will provide paper leaves for customers/clients to write one thing they are doing to help our environment (i.e., recycling thin film plastic, using an electric leaf blower, carpooling, stopping the use of plastic water bottles, etc.) to attach to the tree. Each business and organization can choose how they would like to showcase this.  Our libraries, schools, and town hall will also be involved. Any questions?  Please contact karenevansmail@gmail.com

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Tuesday Night Trivia

    Recurring
    Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT, United States

    What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com

    Free

  • Baby Playtime (Birth – Age 2)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program designed for caregivers and their child, age birth – 2. Sharing in playtime is an excellent way to help children build social skills, promote learning, and discover that the library is a destination for fun! Children will have the opportunity to practice skills such as following directions, socializing with others, using language, and using small and large muscles. Come meet new friends, bond with your little one, and explore the many resources your neighborhood library has to offer! What to Expect: The Essex Library children’s room already has amazing toys for all ages, such as our train table, our sensory book collection, and our many puzzles! During baby playtime, caregivers are encouraged to explore the library’s existing toy collection, and extra items will be set up around the room that support fine and gross motor play – specifically for our youngest little ones! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required.

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a reading with Michael Langlois at Essex Library

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Be transported to colonial New York through the words of Washington Irving’s spine-tingling tale. Follow Connecticut school teacher Ichabod Crane as he becomes the target of a ghostly apparition: the famed Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. As the night darkens, and hoof beats approach, feel the suspense build as fear and folktale blend in this perennial Halloween favorite. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited. Registration is required. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or call the Library at 860-767-1560.

  • Little Learners Story Time: Halloween! (Ages 2-5)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for kids ages 2-5. Join the Essex Library’s Children’s Librarian for a story time celebrating all things spooky, featuring themed books, songs, and a spooky craft! Children are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes. Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

  • Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

    Recurring
    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

  • Future Fashionistas: Learn to Design and Illustrate Like A Pro! Ages 11-15

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    Do you have a passion for style? Do you fill your notebooks with clothing doodles and dream of seeing your own designs on the runway? Step into the shoes of a real designer in this immersive, hands-on fashion illustration course! This creative studio class guides you through the entire process of bringing fashion to life. Start by mastering the fundamentals of the fashion figure and practicing dynamic poses used by professional designers to showcase clothing. As you  dive deeper into illustration, you will learn to identify classic fashion silhouettes, speak the language of style with standard fabric terms, respond to fun design prompts, and curate your  own custom color palettes. Using a mix of pencils, markers, and watercolors, practice the step-by-step workflow of brainstorming quick concept sketches and polishing them into portfolio-ready finished art pieces. All materials are provided! Just bring your imagination and enthusiasm.  A curated supply list will be provided at the start of class if you wish to keep creating and building your own toolkit at home. Jillian Nielsen began sewing and designing at a young age, attending fashion design programs in Connecticut and NYC, attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock and has a Certificate in Costume […]

    $15 – $160

  • Trick or Treat at the Essex Library (All Ages)

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for kids of all ages. Come to the library in costume, say the magic words, and get a special treat (one per kiddo, please!) Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required, drop in!

  • Modern Minimal: Exploring Analog Collage

    Recurring
    Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    This art class welcomes participants of all skill levels who are interested in analog collage. The course introduces the fundamentals of collage, focusing on minimalism and the use of a limited palette. Through guided exercises, the class learns how to select and arrange images to create visually engaging compositions. Emphasis is placed on simplicity and balance to encourage creativity within constraints and foster an appreciation for a clean, modern aesthetic. Over four studio sessions, participants practice the essential methods of analog collage: selection of substrates, cutting techniques, adhesive applications, color theory, and composition.  Projects such as creating a master board, starting and updating a studio notebook, designing artist trading cards and finally creating a personal collage are designed to practice newly acquired skills and  encourage participants to develop their own unique modern aesthetic. Small supply list available upon registration. Molly Waite Lund is an analog collage artist who lives in Essex, Connecticut.  As a self-taught artist, Lund is continuously experimenting with color, shape, relationships, and negative space.  She is compelled to repurpose vintage papers as a reminder of the history that has shaped her life. In her collages, the world that Lund imagines is a place where the familiar becomes […]

    $5 – $130

  • March with Essex Library in the Essex Halloween Parade! (All Ages)

    Essex Post Office 12 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Program for kids of all ages. We’ve got a banner, you’ve got some costumes, and we’re ready to join in on the fun! March with the Essex Library in the annual Essex Halloween Parade! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. We will meet at the Essex Post Office, 12 Main Street, Essex, CT 06426. Registration is required. Click here to register.

  • Delving Into Pastels

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

    Working in this medium is so exciting-it’s a forgiving one!  You can blend, add value, and erase! Dig in for detail or be free according to your style.  We will be working with Autumn still lifes as you create color palettes, explore pastel strokes and so much more. For those of you who have already taken this workshop, we will explore new styles or hone in on your previous pieces. Please, bring in any pieces you are working on or have worked on.  You’ll enjoy the versatility of pastels.  Demos will be given by the instructor. Material list available upon registration. Born in New York city to artist parents, Lisa Arnold has been involved in art most of her life. Her interests have been wide as she has explored many venues in the art world. From being an illustrator, to working in advertising agencies ( which she hated), she went on to be a creative coordinator at conde Nast Publications. She currently is an art instructor at the Silvermine School of Art and the Guilford Art Center.   Based in Connecticut, she now spends much of her time “painting”in pastels and watercolor. She exhibits her work throughout new England.

    $60

  • Hatha Yoga at Essex Library

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Join us at Essex Library for a 2-part Hatha yoga series, led by Lisa Sanders. Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that uses physical techniques such as breathwork and mindful yoga movements for balance, strength and stability. Lisa also incorporates yoga philosophy, singing bowls and mindfulness into each session. This drop-in program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited to 15 participants. The library has a limited supply of yoga mats; we suggest bringing your own.