Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through time? Introducing the Chabad of Northwest CT JLI Course: Colorful Profiles, where we will dive into the lives of twelve remarkable characters who shaped Jewish history in ways you never imagined! Over the course of four enlightening weeks, you'll meet a tapestry of personalities from courageous converts to wise royal advisors, from daring captives to inspiring philanthropists. Each story is a vibrant thread in the rich fabric of our heritage, offering you a kaleidoscope of experiences that will leave you captivated and craving more.

Discover the sacrifices that paved the way for future generations, the adventures that defied the odds, and the achievements that illuminate our collective past. This course is not just a lesson in history; its a celebration of resilience, identity, and the colorful spectrum of Jewish life. Don't miss out on this chance to enrich your understanding and appreciation of our peoples legacy come join us and let the stories unfold! After all, history is best told through the vivid colors of its characters!

Classes meet in-person on four Sunday mornings at Chabad Lubavitch Of Northwest CT. 

RSVP: chabadNW.org/JLI (zoom option available)

See April 3,2025 submission

Date: Sunday, May 4

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Bantam Cinema and Arts Center (115 Bantam Lake Road)

Cost: $35 per person

Registration Requested - Space is Limited

The Litchfield Historical Society is proud to present a weekend of public programs to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave.

On Sunday, May 4 at 11:00am, the Society is thrilled to partner with the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center (115 Bantam Lake Road) to screen the documentary Gina’s Journey: The Search for William Grimes. The film conveys Regina Mason’s long road to uncover Grimes’s past, intertwining the story of his incredible struggle to free himself from slavery. The screening will be followed by a discussion with producer Regina Mason and director Sean Durant.

These events are generously presented through a combination of grants, sponsorship, and in-kind donations. The Litchfield Historical Society would like to give a special thanks to Connecticut Humanities Council, Teno A. West of West Group Law PLLC, Belden House, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, and Bantam Cinema & Arts Center.

Kenise Barnes Fine Art is honored to present an exhibition featuring hand-painted cyanotypes by Julia Whitney Barnes and drawings by Sarah Morejohn.

Julia Whitney Barnes is well known for her innovations in Cyanotype (camera-less photographic printing process) paintings. Whitney Barnes’ multi-step process includes harvesting flora (flowers and weeds being equally important) and combining several species into a single composition on photo sensitive cotton paper. After exposing the work to UV light, the resulting blue and white image is carefully hand-painted in many layers of watercolor, gouache, and ink, reanimating the vitality to the ghost of the objects. The artist is most interested in creating work that feels both beautiful and mysterious. Her artwork symbolizes resilience and are the records of the historical moment in which they were made, the process, and the artist’s will and interest in reasserting the presence of the image.

Whitney Barnes recently completed permanent public installations in The Botanist’s Mural, Vassar College/Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, Brooklyn Botanical: PS 253 (glass commission), Public Art in Public Schools/Percent for Art, Brooklyn, NY, Planting Utopia (interior installation), Albany International Airport, Albany, NY, Planting Utopia (interior and exterior installation), Shaker Heritage Society, Albany, NY. The artist has received the following honors and awards; Maker-Creator Research Fellowship, Winterthur Museum, Library & Garden (2024-25), Individual Artist Grant, (partnering with Shaker Heritage Society), New York State Council on the Arts (2018), Individual Artist Commission, NY State Decentralization Grant, Arts Mid-Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY (2015), Gowanus Public Arts Initiative Grant (ArtsGowanus, The Old Stone House & District 39), Brooklyn, NY, Residency with Site-Specific Installation & Fellowship, Fjellerup I Bund I Grund, Fjellerup, Denmark, to name a few. Her work has been featured in Architectural Record, Times Union, The B Magazine, The Jealous Curator, Create Magazine, American Art Collector Magazine and many other publications and podcasts. Julia Whitney Barnes earned her BFA Fine Arts, Painting, Parsons the New School for Design, New York, NY and her MFA Fine Arts, Painting & Combined Media, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY. The artist lives and works in NY.

Sarah Morejohn’s fascination with non-linear patterns in nature drives her work. Through drawing, she considers how the relationship to nature is mediated both by objective understanding and subjective imagining of it. Considering the symbolic connections between nature, the body, and climate change Morejohn draws partial six-fold symmetries. By building a drawing line by line, sharp angles soften and wiggle, cell-like shapes minnow along while branches and flowers become a part of the flotsam disconnected from the earth. Figurative snow crystals become interlaced with one another and their environment, jumbling towards their own future transformations. Morejohn’s drawing process is intuitive and organic, artifacts of the process, drips, spills, flaws and mistakes are embraced. By collaging the imperfect pieces of her drawings together the work becomes a metaphor for the ever-changing uncertainties of life.

Sarah Morejohn’s work in in the collections of Heustis Hall, 1% for Art Oregon Arts Commission, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, Echo Laboratory, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, Ursell Laboratory, Physics Department, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, Project Art & Medical Museum, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA. She was awarded residencies at Jentel Artist Residency, Banner, WY and Playa Art and Science Residency, Summer Lake, OR. Morejohn earned her BFA in Painting and Drawing, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. The artist lives and works in CA.

Please contact Lani Ming Holloway, Associate Director, Lani@kbfa.com, 860 560 3085 with inquires or to arrange a preview of the exhibition.

Join us for Duck Day at Ripley!

A fun-filled, educational day for all ages featuring:

• Live raptor show by Skyhunters in Flight (2 PM)
• Reptile programs by Riverside Reptiles (11:30 AM & 1 PM)
• Rubber Duck Derby Race (12 PM)
• Face painting & hands-on activities
• Conservation games & educational exhibits
• Nature-inspired vendors
• Explore our aviaries & endangered waterfowl
• ...and so much more!

$10 per person | Kids 12 & under + Members FREE

Celebrate nature, conservation, and community with us

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day? 🌸 Join artist Liz Rosiello for a fun and creative afternoon as you design and paint two beautiful floral greeting cards using watercolor techniques!

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to:

🖌 Blend and layer vibrant watercolor hues

🌿 Create delicate floral designs full of life and movement

💌 Craft one-of-a-kind, heartfelt cards that Mom will cherish forever!

No experience? No worries! Liz will guide you step by step, making this class perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. All supplies are included—just bring your creativity!

🎁 Make it even more special! Whether you're creating a surprise for Mom or bringing her along for a fun bonding experience, this workshop is a meaningful way to celebrate Mother’s Day together!

📌 Spots are limited—sign up today! Let’s make something beautiful. 💖✨

11 Railroad Street

New Milford, CT

Grounded by George Brant

Performed by Kimiye Corwin

With live original music by Jane Chung

Hunting terrorists by day and returning to her family at night, boundaries begin to blur for an ace fighter pilot reassigned to drone warfare.

*Adult subjects and language, suitable for 14+ or accompanied by an adult

Sunday, May 4th at 2:00 PM

The Woodhall School

Bethlehem, CT

https://cttheatrex.networkforgood.com/events/84903-grounded-by-george-brant-2

Our Backyard Wildlife: A Family-Friendly Event!

• Sunday, May 4 at 2:00–4:00 PM
• Whigville Grange Hall, 153 S Main St, Burlington
• Kids of all ages are welcome
• Free & open to the public – no RSVP needed!

Although a small state, Connecticut encompasses various habitats from coastal regions to forests which host a rich and diverse array of wildlife species. Learn about these amazing creatures who share our home and how human activity impacts our wildlife. Margery will bring a few live creatures for us to see up close and personal. This program is great for all: kids and adults.

Margery Winters is a long-time naturalist and instructor at Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton where she is delighted to be able to share her passion for earth science and nature with students of all ages.

Program Schedule:

• 2:00-2:45 pm Reception - Light snacks provided
• 2:45-3:00 pm Business Meeting 
• 3:00-4:00 pm Our Backyard Wildlife presented by Margery Winters 

Learn more here: https://www.burlingtonlandtrust.org/.../our-backyard...

The Colebrook Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, May 4th at 3:00 PM. It will take place at the Town Hall Meeting Room, located at 562 Colebrook Road in Colebrook Center.  After the (brief) business portion of the meeting there will be a special presentation - “Hoopskirts to Flappers: Connecticut Fashion, 1860’s – 1930’s”.

A woman born in 1850 who lived for eighty years would have seen fashion change dramatically in her lifetime. This program will trace how women’s clothing transitioned from the iron reign of the hoopskirt to the relative freedom of the flapper dress.  The presenter will be Ms. Annie O’Brien, a Museum Educator at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.

Ms. O’Brien develops and teaches educational programs for school and adult audiences. She formerly worked as a classroom teacher in the Avon Public School District and as a historic interpreter at the Mark Twain House and Museum. She holds a B.A. in Education from Miami University and an M.A. in Holistic Learning from The Graduate Institute of CT.

Following the presentation will be a social hour with refreshments. All are most welcome to attend.    

* Pre-registration required by Friday, May 2.

¡Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style!

Join us for an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo fiesta filled with festive flavors and lively music! The 5-piece Mariachi band will keep the celebration alive with classic tunes and spirited performances that’ll have you dancing and singing along. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, colorful décor, and a party atmosphere like no other. This is one event you won’t want to miss. ¡Vamos a celebrar!