| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | April 16, 2026 |
ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. Each issue includes the entire text of our weekly newspaper column. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
Franklin County's arts and music gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. There are also booked and acoustic Open Mic Nights that feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.
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CALLS FOR SINGERS and MUSICIANS
FRANKLIN--The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse for Memorial Day. The chorus will have six rehearsals and will perform the Battle Hymn of the Republic with piano accompaniment and a four-part arrangement of the Vermont anthem These Green Mountains in the Franklin Town Hall. They will rehearse at Dick Wright Pub every Thursday starting today at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS ALL MALE A CAPELLA GROUP--The group practices at the Masonic Lodge on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. No experience necessary. They will provide learning tracks for the songs and will work with the group every week to help teach parts and work on our choral sound. All are welcome. Email Jim Walsh for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburg Falls Town Band rehearsal season has begun. The band rehearses in the Enosburg High School band room on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Arrive early to organize and warm up. Formed in 1858, it may be the oldest town band in Vermont.The weekly Tuesday night concerts in Lincoln Park begin June 16, weather permitting. The Band will also perform at the Vermont Thunder program on Sunday, May 24.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
ST. ALBANS--The 2nd annual Franklin County Volunteer Fair invites the community to the Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center this afternoon at 3 - 6 p.m. 40 local groups have volunteer opportunities for all ages and all skills. It is free and open to the public. There will be pizza, refreshments and prizes. Find out more from NCSS, the Unted Way, and the St Albans Rotary on YouTube
ART ON THE WALLS
SWANTON--The Upcycled Art Show opens with an Opening Reception at the Swanton Free Public Library on Saturday at noon - 2 p.m. Artwork that began life in the recycle bin will be on display. The show is a partnership between Northwest Solid Waste Management District and the Swanton Arts Council to celebrates items crafted from salvaged materials. The show will continue through May 30 during regular library hours, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Cambridge Arts Council presents the pop-up gallery Paracosm: And We Dance at 60 Main Arts on Saturday at 3 - 5 p.m. "Zen and the Art of Caregiving" is artist Carolyn Mecklosky's work that documents her time of loving and caring for her partner, Kent Corduan, who passed away after a long illness.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on jewelry artist Karen Mulkey. The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 38 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery on South Main Street is open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
ART YOU CREATE
SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop on Saturday at 12 noon. This workshop will use pebbles, rocks, stones, driftwood, and lake glass to create artwork. From framed pieces to candle holders, each piece is unique. They provide guidance and inspiration; what you make will be completely your own creation. The cost is $35. Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Maple Glazed Pottery has two Paint Your Own Pottery events this weekend
14th Star Brewing Company hosts a Paint-Your-Own Pottery Night in the Room on Saturday at 4 p.m. The cost of $50 includes one piece of pottery, glazes, instruction, and kiln firing. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The April Paint-Your-Own Pottery Pop-Up at Maple Glazed Pottery is sold out on Sunday at 10 a.m. The cost of $25 includes one piece of pottery, glazes, instruction, and kiln firing. Walk-in painters welcome until 1 p.m. although there may be a wait for a seat. Find them on Facebook for reservations and more info.
HIGHGATE--Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Materials and a hot coffee, tea, or cocoa are provided by HLCC. The program runs every Tuesday morning and is free adult library patrons. Email or call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ENOSBURG--Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Have a warm drink, learn a new craft (or work on honing an existing one), and chat. Any craft is welcome. Click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library's Creative Creatures meet to craft on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The program is an opportunity try new crafts and meet other creative people. The group for young adults and up will try out several different seasonal and non-seasonal crafts.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd on Wednesday at 5 - 7 p.m. The free, drop-in workshop is for projects to knit, crochet, or craft with fiber. All skill levels are welcome. No registration is required.
DANCE
ALBURG--Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner and Beyond Line Dancing at the American Legion Landon Post #60 on Fridays at 6 p.m. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is by $5 donation per class, which is donated to groups and organizations that serve Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Manor offers Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The class will teach progressive dance rhythms to varied genres of today's music. Line dance is not limited to country music. No experience needed. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is $10 per class. Find them on Facebook for more info.
GATHERINGS
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Writers' Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. They meet the third Thursday of each month to share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Email Becky Rupp or the Swanton Library for more info. Click here for the Writers' Group newsletter.
FAIRFAX--Sarah Barnes leads Sketchbook Club at the Fairfax Community Library on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The relaxed space is open to all ages and all skill levels to draw, try new art media, and build an artistic community. Bring your own supplies but materials will be provided.
GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library to craft together and give back to the community on Wednesday evenings at 6 - 8 p.m. They have plenty of equipment and materials with the instructions to make homemade fiber crafts to donate to those in need. Or bring your own knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects to the craft circle on Wednesday evenings.
HUMANITIES
ST. ALBANS--The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Spring 2026 season continues as Larry Trombley delves into the Franco Migration to New England in the Greg Brown Lodge this morning at 11 a.m. The French Canadians who came to New England to work in cotton mills faced prejudice. The rhetoric of the day mirrors language used about Mexican immigrant workers in the U.S. today.
The weekly series will offer eight lectures, mostly on Thursdays. A St. Albans series membership is $40 individual/$70 couple for all eight events, or $10 per program if purchased individually. Call 802.656.8407 or Email for registration questions. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--It is a busy week at Saint Albans Museum with one of a series of installations and pop-up events, a hands-on printing press workshop, and a look at underwater archaeology.
The Museum has partnered with Downtown Saint Albans, Vanish Works Experience Design, Vermont Humanities, and artists and exhibit designers to create Centennials: The Gilded Age & The Disco Era in Vermont's Rail City. The Vanish Works Outdoor Pop-Up Projections start this evening at 7:30. Click here for more info.
The Printing Press Session is a SAM Workshop at the Museum on Saturday at 10 a.m. Guided by A Revolutionary Press, this Is a hands-on workshop with a variety of printing presses to replicate archival material from the museum collection. This is a companion event to The Underwater Archaeology of the American Revolution. Click here to register and for more info.
Christopher Sabick presents The Underwater Archaeology of the American Revolution on Saturday at 1 p.m. This look at the archaeological evidence of the American Revolution found beneath Lake Champlain focuses on the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum research into the Revolutionary War in general and the Battle of Valcour Bay. Click here to register and for more info.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities teaches teachers to teach infants and toddlers Social-Emotional Development through Children's Literature online on today at 6 p.m. The Google classroom focuses on high-quality picture books that reflect feelings and everyday experiences. Participants will receive a set of picture books and four credit hours from Northern Lights. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or click here to register and for more info. Email Wendy Martin to be put on a waiting list. The class repeats on April 23.
FAIRFAX--Stone's Throw Pizza & Cafe hosts a Coffee Hour to discuss the pressing issues of the day on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. They will choose one issue each week for all participants to voice their views, learn from each other, and attempt to find common ground as a basis for working together. Local, state and national issues will all be in play. Green Mountain Indivisible "welcomes and values all sides coming together."
MILTON--Burlington native Jim Jones talks about Trolley Wires to Rubber Tires at the Milton Grange Hall on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Queen City's street car era went up in flames, literally, in 1929. Call the Milton Historical Society (802.893.1604) or Click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MORRISVILLE--River Arts has four workshops this week.
Chiara No leads the free Creative Art Series for 60+ Session 6, Ceramic Bell and Wind Chimes at River Arts on Friday at 10 a.m. The series takes place every Friday morning and covers a variety of art disciplines from painting and ceramics to bookmaking, writing, and even creative clothes mending. Click here for more info and to register for this free workshop.
Watercolor artist Evie Mason leads the Watercolor Basics Beginner Workshop on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The focus will be on fresh color, light, and simple seasonal inspiration. All materials are provided but feel free to bring your own favorites. Click here to register and for more info.
The Beginners Wheel-Throwing lesson series offers a 2-hour-long 6-week course led by resident wheel instructor Anah Witt beginning Monday at 6 p.m. The class will be held on Mondays, through May 25. The cost is $300. Click here to register and for more info.
Beginner Acrylic Painting with Callie Hastings continues Wednesday at 5 p.m. The three-part, beginner-friendly workshop will cover the materials and foundational skills needed. The cost is $40 for a single workshop or $105 for all three. Click here to register and for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Vermont landscape artist Alyssa DeLaBruere leads the workshop, Capturing the Landscape in Soft Pastel, at Bryan Memorial Gallery on Saturday at 10 a.m. The class will concentrate on materials and techniques with an emphasis on color, composition, layering, and mark making. The cost is $150 for m embers or $175 for non-members. Members can use promo code "BMGMember" to receive discounted member pricing. Click here to register and for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts two classes each week.
Community Drawing Night has a live model on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The cost of $10 per person or less includes a "split model fee."
Creativi-Tea Tuesdays with Karen Winslow uses watercolor, gouache, and pastel pencils, and include tea and cookies on Tuesday at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.The cost is $30 per person, seniors free. The free Seniors class meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
MILTON--Milton Artists' Guild has two workshops this week.
Social Sundays continue at the MAG Art Center with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m. Each week offers a different project. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info.
Terri Severance leads a Soulful Vision Boards workshop at MAG on Sunday at 3 p.m. Soulful Vision Boarding is a type of collage art that allows dreaming out-loud with images. No experience needed. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring magazines. The cost is $40 for members or $45 for non-members. Click here to register and for more info.
SWANTON ACADEMY
SWANTON--The Swanton Academy fills the Swanton Free Public Library with community on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon - 4:30 p.m. The academy is a weekend-long series of classes and workshops with neighbors teaching neighbors. Saturday will have the repair cafe, cheese making, journaling, the Upcycled Art Show, sourdough bread making, clothes mending, genealogy, composting, and beekeeping. On Sunday, there will be intro to embroidery, crochet, and bird house making.
This is the first of several weekends dedicated to community knowledge sharing and will lead up to The Museum on Main Street at the library in September and October. Click here to register for classes and for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday, April 16
MORRISVILLE--Tim Brick returns to Soulmate Brewing for a solo acoustic performance this evening at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTH HERO--Cooie Sings in the Winter Music Series at North Hero House this evening at 6 p.m. This is Ms. DeFrancescos's final show for this winter series. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, April 16-18
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Kyle Stevens tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night starting with VacSean at 5 p.m. and then Bad Horsey rides in for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Two for Flinching at 5 p.m., and Nickel and Dime at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. Emily Darcy returns on Thursday evening. The Craigs (Craig Mitchell and Colin Craig along with some special guests) take the stage on Friday and Blue Gravy brings the bluegrass live on Saturday. Music starts about 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Wednesday, April 16-22
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in April. Michael Perry leads Open Mic Night tonight. The John Lackard Blues Band takes over the night on Friday. Honey and Gravel set the tone on Saturday. Hammer Lane shakes up Sunday with high energy, heavy rock. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. The sound system takes the day off on Tuesday. And Roland Clark is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, April 17
COLCHESTER--Chris Parker from Chris & Erica goes "Back to Basics" in the live and free Friday Night Live Music at the Spanked Puppy on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. The series continues with Rockin' Ron Gagnon lighting the Pub on fire this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX--The Seth Yacovone Band returns to the Double E Lounge on Friday at 8 p.m. Doors at 7. The improvisational, heavy blues rock trio charges through Mr. Yacovone's original songs. The band has released 8 albums, toured America and Italy, opened for and or shared the stage with Ray Charles, BB King, Phish, Neville Bros, Johnny Winter and more. Admission is $15. Find them on Facebook for ickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--The "Best of Boston" Dueling Pianos play live to The Room at 14th Star Brewery on Friday at 8 p.m. Two pianos. Two performers. "One high-energy show where you pick the songs and join the rivalries." Admission is $25. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--A House on Fire lights off the Old Post on Friday at 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage if the weather agrees. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, April 16-19
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River gets jerborned with shows on Friday and Saturday nights in April. Corey and Friends play Friday and Jerborn is live on Saturday night. Music starts about 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in April. The Smokey Newfield Project plays Friday. O and Schu (Dave Ogrodowczyk and Mike Schuster) perform live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Kippincoe featuring Kip de Moll on Friday and Sister Speak live on Saturday night. Music starts about 6:30 p.m. Call 802.524.1405 or find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to book a reservation or to visit the art on the walls.
Saturday, April 18
ST. ALBANS--Spotlight Vintage celebrates its first anniversary with a Spring Fashion Release Party with live music from Southern Vermont's Irish folk trio, the Guid Folk, on Saturday at 12 noon - 4 p.m. There will be Spring vintage clothing and home decor collections, giveaways, and a cash bar from 14th Star. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub hosts their Bluegrass Jam on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. All instruments and skill levels are welcome. Come to play or to learn. Click here for more info.
MONTGOMERY--The Snow Shoe Pub presents the return of Tim Brick & the Enablers for evening of VT country goodness on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Sunday, April 19
WESTFORD--Lewis Franco and the Missing Cats with Will Patton plays the Westford Music Series in the Westford Common Hall on Sunday at 4-5 p.m. According to Dan Bolles in Seven Days, "Precious few hepcatamounts swing like Lewis Franco." Admission is free will by donation. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, April 22
SOUTH HERO--Acoustic singer/songwriter Evan Alsop plays Two Heroes Brewery live on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--Located in the historic Champlain Theater building, the Green Mountain Bistro has live music every Wednesday night from 6 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
"Find Your Joy." National Library Week is April 19-25. Explore and discover all the ays the library sparks joy. The annual celebration highlights the valuable role libraries and librarians play to transform lives and strengthen communities.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library Reading & Discussion Group takes up The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The "greatest espionage story of the Cold War" details the true story of high-ranking KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky who became a double agent for British intelligence during the Cold War. Find them on Facebook for more info
FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Community Library Book Club takes up The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl this afternoon at 3 p.m. The memoir and nature essay collection follows Ms. Renkl's changing seasons in her backyard, reflecting week by week on aging, family, loss, and climate change. Call the library (802.849.2420) or email for more info or for the Zoom link to attend remotely.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour on Monday at 10 a.m. The program is a community connect to brainstorm opportunities for senior support. Each week will also include coffee and tea, as well as fresh pastries. The program will run every Monday morning and is free for anyone 55 and older. Registration is mandatory as space is limited. Call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page welcomes local writer Julia Greenshaw to sign her book. Knave of Sands, on Saturday at 12 noon - 2 p.m. The first book in her Spiritsinger fantasy series, has a thief, a prince, a seer, and magical blights threatening their world. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries to discuss The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell this morning at 10:30 a.m. The cozy murder mystery is set during a reality TV baking competition. The group reads a variety of mystery genres and meets the third Thursday of each month in the Martha Dalton Meeting Room. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--Two Swanton Free Public Library book clubs meet this week.
The monthly SPL Book Club meets to discuss The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins on Monday at 5 p.m. The 2024 psychological thriller by the author of "The Girl on the Train," is set on a remote Scottish island. In the aftermath of the death of a famous artist, her caretaker and an art curator investigates a shocking discovery in one of her artworks. Click here for more info.
But I Progress takes up The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The historical fantasy tells the story of three estranged sisters who reunite in 1893 New Salem to reclaim lost witchcraft and join the suffragette movement. The readings generally focus on writers who "identify as women, with particular attention to Women of Color and nonbinary women, who are under represented in literature. Today women's works are priced lower, more seldom purchased, and not receiving proper credit." There will be snacks, reviews, discussion, ideas, and good conversation. Click here for more info.
Good News!There are so many events around the region that we miss some of them.Be sure to check these calendars for what's happening near you ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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