Community Events Calendar
During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.
This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.
Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.
Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.
Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.
Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Develop your pottery skills as you focus on wheel-throwing techniques in stoneware and porcelain.
Lessons will cover both functional and decorative pottery with emphasis on classical forms as we know them. Students will be shown how to apply glazes and/or oxide washes to achieve desired results, such as combining glaze colors and the application of wood ash to create unexpected effects on their work. Wear clothes that can get dirty.
Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27 and firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash or check.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Intermediate and Advanced Pottery
Learn basic metalsmithing for making jewelry, developing new skills, or strengthen existing ones. Weekly demonstrations introduce tools and techniques required for working with nonferrous sheet metal and wire. Demonstrations may include sawing, filing, cold-connecting, soldering, surface embellishment, forging, shaping, fold forming, finishing, and patina coloring.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Metalsmithing/Jewelry
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Inviting 1st -5th graders to join our Spring Play “The Quest, a Fairy Tale with Attitude”
SYNOPSIS: Something is terribly wrong with Grandma! She’s very sick and weak, but luckily for her, recovery is just a quest away! The teacher at the exclusive Fantasy Academy challenges her fairy tale character students to embark on a quest to gather three hard-to-obtain items and cure Grandma. Of course, every good fairy tale has a villain, and the best one of all is the big bad wolf, Huff-n-Puff! If Grandma is in good health, Huff-n-Puff’s plot to snatch the basket of goodies away from Little Red with a Hood might fail! He must keep Grandma feeble by finding the three items before the students do. The fairy tale students fight off the wolf and his sidekick, Tag-Along Troll, and continuously seek the audience’s assistance throughout their journey. Naturally, in the end, their quest is successful, and Grandma is better than ever!
Open to children 1st - 5th grade. All children registering will be cast in the show. There is no formal audition process. Actors will have unofficial Auditions on the first day of rehearsals. This will be a more relaxed, group-based atmosphere with the goal of matching actors with the parts that are best for them.
Rehearsals start on January 11th and are Sundays 1:30 - 3:30 pm and Tuesdays 4 - 6 pm with performances on March 27th, 28th, and 29th. Tech week will include extra rehearsals from 3/23 - 3/26.
When you register - you can pay now or select invoice me to pay later. Payments are due on January 11th. You can avoid credit card charges by paying by check or cash. If you are paying by check or cash select invoice me and bring payment to rehearsal. If you need financial assistance or a payment plan, please send an email to robyn@madisonartsbarn.org prior to registering!
The Quest - A Fairy Tale With Attitude
Join Yale Consort for a service of Choral Evensong, focused on music, readings, and quiet contemplation. Through hymns, psalms, canticles, and reflections, the centuries-old tradition of Choral Evensong invites us to come together in stillness and prayer.
Free and open to the public.
Yale Consort, a professional vocal ensemble conducted by Professor James O’Donnell and sponsored by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, provides high quality choral music for a series of evening services in local parishes and chapels.
Contact: Clifton Massey
Choral Evensong with Yale Consort
Art Without a Home brings together artists, community members, and lived experience to challenge how we see housing, humanity, and each other. This is truth-telling. This is art as resistance, healing, and witness.
Art Without a Home Art Exhibition
Pathway to Trades is a twelve-week pre-apprentice program tailored for individuals looking to start a new career path in the trades industry. Participants choose one of two tracks—Woodworking, or Metalworking— and build a foundation of skills and knowledge to pursue a new career. Through a combination of instructional sessions, shop hours, project-based learning, and guest speaker sessions, participants will receive hands-on experience, practical skills, and industry insights to excel in their chosen trade.
You will need to join MakeHaven as a member to Participate in this program.The program cost does not include membership. To join MakeHaven go to www.makehaven.org/join.
Learn more about the program at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=328&reset=1&reset=1
Event Fee:
Registration $1,375.00
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=224&reset=1
Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org
Pathway to Trades: Cohort 3
Deepen your understanding of traditional photographic processes while refining darkroom techniques. Explore toning, medium and large format photography, and alternative processes such as cyanotype and palladium printing. Emphasis is placed on developing a cohesive body of work through regular critiques and group discussions, fostering both technical growth and conceptual clarity. Most classes will be divided between demonstration, discussion and critique and lab time. The class also includes an optional Friday evening open darkroom practice session where students can work on and refine the techniques discussed in class. Tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Intermediate and Advanced Black and White Analog Film Photography
Join us to draw or paint from a nude model. The 3-hour session includes mixed-length poses. These are monitored “open drawing” sessions; there is no instruction.
Students must register at least 48 hours in advance.
School Policies
Students who withdraw 48 hours prior to the first class are eligible for a refund or credit toward another class, less a $25 registration fee.
Working from a Live Model
Learn to make accordion books in a variety of styles while exploring the basics of bookbinding.
Each week, students will learn a new variation on the accordion fold. Demonstrations and instruction will cover multiple ways the accordion structure can function in book form—such as a continuous panel, individual pages, a board book format, or even a book spine. Techniques for attaching pages with sewing, glue, or tape will be introduced. Collage materials, postcards, and vintage library pockets and cards will be available for incorporation into projects.
By the end of the program, students will have created a collection of accordion books. Those with more experience may choose to spend the session developing a more complex accordion book on a personally selected theme, with guidance available throughout.
This class will take place in a studio accessed by a flight of stairs. For any accommodations please send a confidential email to registrar@creativeartsworkshop.org
Beginning Bookbinding: The Accordion Book
Open Mic Surgery is a freeform poetry open mic held at Never Ending Books (Volume Two) on State Street. The weekly event offers a welcoming space where writers of all backgrounds can connect, read their own work, share poems by others, or simply listen and enjoy. Expect an eclectic mix of poetry and spoken word in a supportive, low-pressure setting filled with a wide range of creative voices.
Open Mic Surgery: A poetry open mic
Join Elm City Swing & Blues at our monthly lesson and social dance! This month will be beginner-friendly crash course on balboa, a swing dance developed in California and done to fast songs characterized by intricate footwork dance in close embrace.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!
Schedule:
*** NOTE NEW START TIME***
7 - 8pm lesson
8 - 10pm social dance
Sliding scale pricing (please pay what you can)
Lesson: $10-20
Dance only: $5-10
Elm City Swing & Blues: Beginner Balboa Lesson & Social
During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.
This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.
Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.
Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.
Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.
Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Make functional ceramic pieces using the potter’s wheel as our primary tool. We will cover clay preparation, forming pots on the wheel, and glazing. Every class includes both demonstrations and individually-focused instruction. Wear clothes that can get dirty.
Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27. Firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash or check.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
All levels Pottery A
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.
This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.
Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/
Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
Christmas Tree Festival open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center’s Christmas Tree Festival is a seasonal highlight. This popular display showcases the imagination and creativity of Connecticut Catholic elementary schoolchildren. These students create handmade ornaments and trimmings in the theme of The Spirit of Christmas exhibition prior to traveling to the McGivney Center to decorate a school tree.
All 20 trees will be completed and on display to the public beginning December 6, 2025. Explore all the trees and be sure to vote for your favorite Christmas Tree in the People’s Choice Award!
Christmas Tree Festival
You decide – explore multiple printmaking techniques and processes or deepen your practice in one area. Use etching, drypoint, woodcut, linocut, monotype, transfer prints, paper lithography, polymer plate lithography, collagraph, silk aquatint, transfer prints, or Chine-collé. Learn new techniques or connect printmaking to other artistic media.
Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Intermediate and Advanced Printmaking
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Inaugurated in 1867, Street Hall—today part of the Yale University Art Gallery—housed the first collegiate school of art in the country. Its curriculum permitted students from a variety of disciplines to sketch from live models and original works of art. Take part in this centuries-old practice by joining us for an evening of guided sketching. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.
Open to all ages and levels of drawing experience. Materials are provided.
Sketching in the Galleries
Art Without a Home brings together artists, community members, and lived experience to challenge how we see housing, humanity, and each other. This is truth-telling. This is art as resistance, healing, and witness.
Art Without a Home Art Exhibition
Looking for a fun group activity while visiting New Haven? Join us in the Beer Hall at East Rock Brewing Co. for our signature trivia on Wednesday nights! FREE ENTRY | 21
Our trivia ranges from General Trivia to Specialty Trivia including: 90s Music Trivia (1/28), Behind the Bar Trivia (3/25), Animated Movie Trivia (6/3) and so much more! Get in early to grab some local, German-inspired beer and a table. 5 rounds with a double or nothing finale! Prizes go to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, Sign Ups begin at 6 PM
Plan ahead with your trip into New Haven, our trivia and events schedule can be found in our website link below!
Wednesday Night Trivia at East Rock Brewing Co. New Haven
Unlock the capabilities of CNC with VCarve Pro, an intuitive software designed for creating and cutting parts on a CNC Router. VCarve Pro empowers you to produce intricate 2D patterns, offering profile, pocket, drill, and inlay toolpaths. Dive into the world of v-carving textures and explore the limitless possibilities of importing and machining Vectric 3D clipart or single model files.
What to Expect:
In this enlightening class, participants will embark on a journey to master the basics of VCarve by designing a project that encompasses shapes, text, and imported bitmaps. As the design takes shape, you'll learn how to assign tool paths, determine the ideal bits, and optimize cutting speeds. The class will also unveil valuable tips and tricks, including keyhole paths, double-sided milling, and texturing techniques.
Workshop Highlights:
- Designing CNC Brilliance: Dive into VCarve's interface and design a project with shapes, text, and imported bitmaps. Unleash your creativity with the power of CNC precision.
- Tool Path Mastery: Learn the art of assigning tool paths, understanding bit selection, and optimizing cutting speeds for flawless CNC execution.
- Tips and Tricks Extravaganza: Discover insider secrets, including keyhole path creation, double-sided milling mastery, and techniques for adding captivating textures to your projects.
- Post-Class Support: After the workshop, Phil will be available (within reason) to answer questions and provide assistance as you delve into your next CNC project.
Who Should Take this Class:
This workshop is open to individuals who are just beginning to explore the world of CNC design, as well as those with some experience looking to expand their skills and precision.
Requirements:
Each participant needs a laptop with VCarve installed. The program can be downloaded at https://www.vectric.com. MakeHaven has a limited number of computers available for borrowing; please indicate in your registration if you need one, and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Note:
Please be aware that the class will take place in the Multipurpose Room and focuses on the software side of CNC. There is not a hands-on or MH badging portion to this class.
Instructor: Philip LaFleur
Workshop Ticket Fee:
- Standard Public Ticket: $57.00
- MakeHaven Members: $49.00
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=748&reset=1
Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org
CNC Wooworking Basics: Designing with VCarve
Learn the basics of preparing and operating a loom. Participants will weave a sampler piece combining a wide range of useful weaves. Beginning students will complete one or two simple projects of their choice by the end of this term. Intermediate and advanced students will weave projects with more complex structures using multi-harness looms.
Beginning students have a materials fee of $18 payable to the instructor.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Floor Loom Weaving
Veteran book arts expert Gisela Noack brings her many years of skill and experience in restoration and conservation to students working on their own advanced bookbinding or restoration projects.
Enrollment in this class includes one 3-hour monitored open bench session per week.
This class will take place in a studio accessed by a flight of stairs. For any accommodations please send a confidential email to registrar@creativeartsworkshop.org
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $5 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Advanced Hand Bookbinding
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.
This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.
Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.
Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.
Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.
Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.
This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.
Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/
Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.
This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
Learn the various approaches to creating metal sculptures, including welding (oxyacetylene and MIG), brazing, cutting (torch and plasma cutter), hammering, and more.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Students should wear 100% cotton long sleeves, jeans or work pants, and closed-toe boots. No synthetic mesh, plastic, or cloth.
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $40.
All Levels Metal Sculpture
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Stop by the lobby of the Yale University Art Gallery to participate in a quilt-inspired community sewing project, meet new people, and enjoy one another’s company. Learn about and practice traditional patchwork patterns, or improvise on your own design. If you attended the quilting-based Sidewalk Studio this past November, you may even be able to pick up where you left off. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.
No experience required. Materials are provided.
Community Sewing Project
In this hands-on beginner workshop, participants will learn to operate a sewing machine with confidence—no experience required. Whether you’ve never touched a machine or you’re convinced you “just aren’t crafty,” this class will gently guide you through the basics while building your comfort and skills step by step. You’ll learn how to thread and care for a sewing machine, practice essential hand stitches, and get familiar with the core tools every sewist should know. Along the way, you’ll create two useful starter projects: a customized pin cushion with a matching pin-cushion bag, plus a small safety-pin bag. You’ll leave with handmade sewing tools—and the confidence to continue your sewing journey.
What to Expect
Expect a supportive, beginner-friendly class with demonstrations, guided practice, and plenty of time to ask questions. The instructor will walk you through threading a machine, winding a bobbin, switching stitches, adjusting tension, and sewing your first seams. You’ll also learn hand-stitching basics and apply your new skills immediately through simple, practical projects. All tools and fabric will be provided, though you’re welcome to bring your own fabric if you’d like the instructor to evaluate its suitability.
Skills You’ll Acquire
• Threading and operating a sewing machine (bobbin winding, tension basics, and stitch selection)
• Sewing machine safety, basic care, and troubleshooting common issues
• Essential hand-sewing stitches
• How to use sewing tools correctly (pins, needles, seam rippers, fabric scissors, etc.)
• Stuffing, shaping, and finishing small sewn projects
- Machine confidence and foundational sewing vocabulary
What’s Provided
• Sewing machines and all tools needed for the class
• Fabric and supplies for all in-class projects
- Step-by-step instruction and hands-on support
Who Should Attend
Perfect for absolute beginners, new machine owners, or anyone looking for a gentle and guided introduction to sewing. Ages 18+.
Prerequisites/Safety Information
No prerequisites—this class is open to complete beginners. Please wear closed-toe shoes and avoid loose clothing or accessories around sewing equipment.
What to Bring
A notebook is helpful for jotting down tips. You may bring your own fabric if you’d like to personalize your project; the instructor will help determine whether it’s appropriate for the class.
Instructor : Toriana Sauro
Workshop Ticket Fee :
Standard Ticket: $70
MakeHaven Members: $60
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/civicrm/event/participant?reset=1&id=796
Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org
Intro to Sewing: Get to Know Your Machine
Art Without a Home brings together artists, community members, and lived experience to challenge how we see housing, humanity, and each other. This is truth-telling. This is art as resistance, healing, and witness.
Art Without a Home Art Exhibition
Learn the versatile and popular craft of silkscreen/serigraph printmaking.
Students will transfer photo images (photography, drawing, painting, or multimedia art) to the printing screens and print onto paper, fabric, or wood panel. Image separations (digital and hand) to print images with more than one color as well as learning how to register multiple colors for printing will be discussed.
Includes one 3-hour practice session per week during monitored practice hours.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Silkscreen/Serigraph Printmaking
Learn basic metalsmithing for making jewelry, developing new skills, or strengthen existing ones. Weekly demonstrations introduce tools and techniques required for working with nonferrous sheet metal and wire. Demonstrations may include sawing, filing, cold-connecting, soldering, surface embellishment, forging, shaping, fold forming, finishing, and patina coloring.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Metalsmithing/Jewelry
Come join us for an Open Mic Night in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr! The night will showcase a variety of talents, including special performances from fellow Yalies and community members. Sign up by 1/15/26!
Dream Out Loud: A Night of Art and Community
An exhibition that traces a remarkable artistic Journey defined by precision, imagination, and reinvention.
Precision Dreaming: Dalia Ramanauskas Works Across Fifty Years
Are you looking to improve your throwing skills? Seeking to center your clay and yourself? Do you need a hand with hand building?
This class offers an opportunity to work towards your goals in clay and further your individual projects with differentiated instruction.
Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes.
Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27. Firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash, or check.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Centering with Clay
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.
This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.
Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/
Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.
This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents, Signs of Love, a 7-week show celebrating love – in the sense of romantic love, as well as through other shared connections between people, animals, and the world around us. Discover new fine art, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and other unexpected pieces by emerging and established artists who represent these ideas in both subtle and bold, as well as personal and universal interpretations. Join us for an Open Reception, Friday, January 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to enjoy the fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments, and throughout the Open House Weekend, Saturday, January 24 from 1 to 6 pm and Sunday, January 25 from 1 to 5 pm. The exhibit runs through March 14. As always, Spectrum’s Artisans Store offers new pottery, glass, fiber, home décor, jewelry, clothing, and accessories, as well as children's books and toys. Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. Gallery and Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday (12-6 pm) and Sunday (12-5 pm). For more information about gallery exhibits, and classes and workshops for adults, teens, and children, call (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online 24/7 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
Signs of Love
Join our volunteer museum educators for a conversational tour exploring highlights in our collection. In a New Light: Five Centuries of British Art features works from the sixteenth century to the present, now on view in a reimagined installation.
Tours meet in the Entrance Court by the Welcome Desk.
View our full calendar of events at: https://britishart.yale.edu/exhibitions-programs
YCBA Collection Highlight Tour
Explore the creative possibilities of clay by shaping and molding it into one-of-a-kind works of art.
Each week, young artists will create a specific project including bowls, animal figurines, and masks. Our team will fire each clay masterpiece and they will all be ready to take home by the end of the class. Some pieces will also be glazed by the students and fired a second time, resulting in beautifully colored pieces.
Clay can spark imagination, encourage children to think creatively and express themselves in new ways. It can also help young people develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and emotional expression through hands-on activities.
Perfect for budding artists and future ceramicists, this is more than just a creative experience—it’s the beginning of a handmade collection to be proud of!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Adventures in Clay
Get started with oil painting! Discover what oil paint is, how it works, and how to use it to make art. Learn the steps to start a painting, how to mix colors with a limited palette, and different effects to make with oil colors. All materials are provided. Instruction will be given in short lectures, demonstrations, and individual coaching. Students will be working from still lives and create more than one painting over the course. This course is open to those who are brand new to painting, while also offering challenges for more experienced students. Teens are welcome to join, especially returning students. The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for materials provided by CAW.
Introduction to Oil Painting
A relaxed, all-levels class for anyone interested in working with clay. Beginners will learn the basics of wheel throwing and hand building, while returning students can continue building skills or explore larger, more advanced projects. Enjoy supportive instruction and plenty of time to practice. Come make what inspires you and grow at your own pace.
Wear clothes that can get messy.
Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27 and firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash, or check.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis and you are encouraged to take advantage of this.
All Levels Saturday Morning Pottery
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Saturday, June 7; Friday, July 4 (Independence Day); Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
In remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed on April 21, 2025, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center is honored to present this exhibit illustrating the pope’s outreach to the peripheries during his 47 international trips.
Learn more: https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/exhibits/francis-pope-of-the-peripheries/
Exhibit | Francis: Pope of the Peripheries
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.
This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.
This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.
Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/
Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
In this 4-week class, students will bring original characters to life, from first concept to finished design. Learn the principles of character design while creating characters for animation, games, comics, or illustration projects. Each week focuses on a different part of the process, combining design fundamentals with drawing techniques. Work digitally or on paper and develop multiple fully realized characters with turnarounds, expression sheets, and color variations.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Bring Your Characters to Life!
Christmas Tree Festival open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center’s Christmas Tree Festival is a seasonal highlight. This popular display showcases the imagination and creativity of Connecticut Catholic elementary schoolchildren. These students create handmade ornaments and trimmings in the theme of The Spirit of Christmas exhibition prior to traveling to the McGivney Center to decorate a school tree.
All 20 trees will be completed and on display to the public beginning December 6, 2025. Explore all the trees and be sure to vote for your favorite Christmas Tree in the People’s Choice Award!
Christmas Tree Festival
Show up for your creative self in 2026 with the Saturday Drawing Club.
This session’s them is animals!
Explore a variety of prompts, materials and techniques in a weekly drawing session mixed with conversation, creative time, and feedback. Adults of all skill levels welcome. Bring your favorite drawing materials.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Saturday Drawing Club: A Creature a Day
Explore and develop designs for relief, intaglio, and monotype printmaking in this hands-on course.
Class time will focus on creating original designs and concepts as students experiment with print plate substrates, including Corian®, Tetra-Pak®, vinyl records, and various recycled and found materials. Examples of different print styles will be shared to illustrate these techniques.
This course is suitable for beginners and advanced students alike.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Experimental Printmaking
Creativity meets skill-building for young artists!
Young artists discover the basics of drawing and painting through playful, hands-on projects that make learning exciting. Using pencils, pastels, watercolor, and paint, they’ll explore composition, color, line, and value while developing strong observational skills and artistic confidence. Each activity builds coordination and creativity. Together, students will learn to see the world like an artist.
Drawing & Painting: Foundations for Young Artists
Unleash your imagination with Procreate!
Students will explore a variety of brushes, colors, layers, special effects, and symmetry tools while drawing with digital pencils, ink pens, and paint brushes. From simple shapes and cool designs to fun characters and creative scenes, they’ll develop their digital illustration skills and finish the course with their very own unique creations.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Digital Illustration for Young People
Join our volunteer museum educators for a conversational tour exploring highlights in our collection. In a New Light: Five Centuries of British Art features works from the sixteenth century to the present, now on view in a reimagined installation.
Tours meet in the Entrance Court by the Welcome Desk.
View our full calendar of events at: https://britishart.yale.edu/exhibitions-programs
YCBA Collection Highlight Tour
The New Hobby, New Haven Hobby Fair is the place to learn about ways to get more involved, make new friends, learn new skills, make art, volunteer, and do more in the local community. We hope through this event and connecting with some folks in person, including other attendees, you find new ways to become involved! Light bites refreshments from local favorites will be provided.
New Year, New Hobby, New Haven (NHV Hobby Fair)
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents, Signs of Love, a 7-week show celebrating love – in the sense of romantic love, as well as through other shared connections between people, animals, and the world around us. Discover new fine art, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and other unexpected pieces by emerging and established artists who represent these ideas in both subtle and bold, as well as personal and universal interpretations. Join us for an Open Reception, Friday, January 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to enjoy the fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments, and throughout the Open House Weekend, Saturday, January 24 from 1 to 6 pm and Sunday, January 25 from 1 to 5 pm. The exhibit runs through March 14. As always, Spectrum’s Artisans Store offers new pottery, glass, fiber, home décor, jewelry, clothing, and accessories, as well as children's books and toys. Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. Gallery and Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday (12-6 pm) and Sunday (12-5 pm). For more information about gallery exhibits, and classes and workshops for adults, teens, and children, call (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online 24/7 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
Signs of Love
Celebrate the beauty of winter through painting!
Students will learn easy ways to use color and texture to create glowing, snowy worlds on canvas. This friendly class inspires creativity and helps each child tell their own winter story.
This class welcomes all experience levels, from first-time painters to budding young artists who already love to create.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Winter Wonderland Acrylic Painting
Explore, learn, and practice drawing exercises and techniques in a supportive environment. Increase visual perception, skills and confidence, and develop your unique style. Work with drawing pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolor and ink/pens. Weekly demos and exercises include mark-making, line, value, form, texture and shading. Subjects include animals, everyday objects, portraits, nature, as well as students’ interests. We draw from observation, references and imagination. All materials provided. Join us!
For returning students, the class will include both new projects and some review.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Saturday Sketching
This beginner drawing class is designed for anyone who enjoys drawing.
Students will explore various drawing materials and perspectives, experimenting with line, positive and negative shapes, depth, and volume. They’ll also learn techniques to create light and shadow effects on objects in different settings.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW. Please see recommended student material list below.
Introduction to Drawing
Register here: https://forms.gle/drC2YeNqVMTN33Pr7
New year, new life?! New year, same life, and a new past-time activity?! New year, same life, a new past-time activity, and new friends?!
ECSB has you covered.
Come and join us for our Beginner Bootcamp on Jan 24th 2026 to try out different swing dance styles. We will focus on Lindy Hop, Charleston, and blues dancing.
After this one-day bootcamp you will be ready to dance with everyone in our dance community at ECSB (and anywhere else peeps swing and blues dance) or to decide that swing dancing is not your thing (but chances are very, very low ).
No previous dance experience or partner required.
SCHEDULE:
2 - 6 pm: Learn Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Blues with us (with breaks)
6 - 8 pm: Dinner (we will order pizza; time to refuel, relax and socialize)
8 - 9:30pm: Social Dance (practice what you have learned today, have fun, enjoy the music)
ADMISSION:
Beginner Bootcamp pass: (includes workshops, dinner & social): $30 students, $35 non-students
VENUE:
St. John's Episcopal Church
400 Humphrey Street
New Haven
Please wear comfortable, secure shoes (e.g. sneakers), try to avoid high heels, shoes with a lot of grip, and very inflexible soles. If it's raining/snowing please change into your dance shoes at the event (we want to avoid water on the dance floor).
You will not be considered as registered until we have received payment.
Please use Venmo: @Bethany-Colas-1 (last four digits: 1284)
If you don't have Venmo, please contact f.wencker@gmx.de for other payment options.
We at ECSB look forward meeting and dancing with you in 2026!
Elm City Swing & Blues: New Year, New Me! Beginner Bootcamp
Overcome the mysteries of the sewing machine and discover how fun and easy it can be! Learn the basics of machine sewing including threading, operating, and troubleshooting.
Practice using the machine and then move on to simple projects for yourself or for gift-giving. Participants will learn a variety of machine sewing methods including piecing, applique, quilting, and freehand. Potential projects include art pieces, wall hangings, patchwork, quilt patterns, bags, a zippered pouch, table runner, or pillow cover. Tips for altering clothes can also be covered. Previous students are welcome to attend and work on more advanced projects.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $15 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Let’s Get Sewing
Art Without a Home brings together artists, community members, and lived experience to challenge how we see housing, humanity, and each other. This is truth-telling. This is art as resistance, healing, and witness.
Art Without a Home Art Exhibition
Event: IONNE Live at Lost in New Haven with Trevor Babb and Dylan Rowland
Date: January 24, 2026
Doors Open: 6:30 PM (Explore the NEW Lost in New Haven experience and grab a beverage at the historic restored Anchor Bar!)
Performance Begins: 7:00 PM
Location: Lost In New Haven, 80 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT
Tickets: $12 - $25 General Admission (All Ages)
On January 24, 2026, Lost In New Haven presents an immersive evening of live music and art led by New Haven–based electronic musician and producer Ionne (the performance alias of Dr. Maurice Lajuane Harris). The event bridges sound, story, and visual imagination, blending the electricity of contemporary electronica with the organic warmth of live instrumentation in a performance that mirrors the museum’s own spirit—where heritage and modern creativity meet.
Joined by acclaimed guest artists Trevor Babb (guitar) and Dylan Rowland (piano), Ionne will guide audiences through two dynamic live sets drawn from his electrifying 5015 Records releases Pathos (2025) and A Light Untruth (2025). The performance celebrates New Haven’s creative synergy across music, fashion, and visual art, unfolding within the museum’s one-of-a-kind cultural venue—a converted warehouse alive with sound, history, and community.
About the Program
The evening opens with an introductory set of original compositions by Babb and Rowland, highlighting their distinct approaches to texture, harmony, and live improvisation.
The centerpiece of the evening features Ionne’s Pathos, a five-song cycle originally composed as a soundtrack for New-Haven based designer Tea Montgomery’s fashion takeover at Union Station in June 2025. Each piece explores the emotional landscapes of pride, envy, imposter syndrome, patience, and acceptance, brought to life through Ionne’s unique blend of Afrocentric EDM, soul, and cinematic electronica. Paired with striking human‑designed, AI‑animated visual projections, the “Pathos” performance embodies a journey through emotion, identity, and self‑knowledge.
Following Pathos, Ionne, Babb, and Rowland shift into selections from A Light Untruth, Ionne’s fourth full‑length album and conceptual exploration of light and darkness, revelation and contradiction. Originally inspired by a multi-disciplinary collaboration with painter Mary Barr Rhodes and projection artist Benjamin Britton, the work examines illumination—both literal and spiritual—as a paradoxical force. Set pieces such as “Headlight,” “Spotlight,” “Sunrise,” and “The Neverending Sun” act as meditations on contrast, transformation, and the unseen forces that define truth.
About Lost In New Haven
Lost in New Haven engages you with immersive exhibits, interactivity, and tangible artifacts to present our shared American story within one city, from its settlement in 1638 through our modern ages. It’s more than a museum; it’s a cultural hub where today, yesterday, and tomorrow gather on common ground and speak to each other. This story belongs to all of us, and it’s still being written.
CONTACT:
admin@lostinnewhaven.org
203-507-2436
IONNE Live at Lost in New Haven
North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in New Haven, CT! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!
Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.
Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.
Happens on the following Dates:
Jan 3, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Jan 10, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Jan 24, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - New Haven, CT
North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in New Haven, CT! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!
Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.
Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.
Happens on the following Dates:
Jan 3, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Jan 10, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Jan 24, 2026, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - New Haven, CT
No typical sand or slides at this playground!
CAW’s playground has colored sand, wood, clay, tempera and watercolor paints, markers, tissue paper and more items than we have space to list here. Students will use all these supplies to create projects including masks, paper dolls, animals, birds, insects, portraits, and imaginary creatures.
How will they do all this? By cutting, folding, stomping, splashing, blending, texturing, painting, and coloring (after they mix their own unique colors).
Bet you wish you could stay too!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Art Playground
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
Many crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, feature a diversity of settings and stable designs — the most common of which is an open-front wood structure. However, many artisans model their crèches after buildings and landscapes that are native to their homelands.
This exhibit includes a variety of crèches that showcase different examples of stables and mangers. In addition, it also highlights a handful of works whose settings have been customized for the figures they contain. One of these is the Neapolitan, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, by Cantone and Costabile of Naples, Italy. In addition, a brand-new crèche will be featured in this exhibit: The Nativity at New Haven's St. Mary’s Church, designed by US-based Navidad Nativities, Inc., with figures made in Italy by Original Heide.
Exhibit | Away in a Manger: The Creation of Nativity Scenes
Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission EXCEPT Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving); Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day).
For centuries people around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and numerous traditions have been incorporated into the Christmas season. Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and the display of the crèche, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, are just a few of these traditions. These traditions also incorporate other important Christian figures and events in Christ’s life, such as St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany.
This Christmas, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center presents the exhibit, The Spirit of Christmas, which features crèches and other artwork from around the globe celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and traditions and feast days during the season.
Enjoy the Christmas season at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center through this exhibit, the supplemental exhibit Away in a Manger and a variety of programs, including our annual Christmastime Family Day. Discover more of our offerings at https://www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org/
Make the following offerings a part of your family’s holiday tradition!
Exhibit | The Spirit of Christmas
In this seven-week studio course, students will explore the art of printmaking through a focused challenge: creating works strictly within a 12” x 12” format. Participants may work in relief, intaglio, monotype, or monoprint, using primarily water-based inks (other solutions are permitted).
Through guided instruction and experimentation, students will develop original designs and concepts that reflect current trends and innovations in contemporary printmaking—all within the creative boundaries of the one-square-foot format. The square format, historically uncommon until the rise of abstraction, presents unique compositional and expressive challenges that foster precision, visual order, and formal structure.
This course is designed to support the creation of final works suitable for submission to The Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s Footprint International Competition 2026. All skill levels are welcome.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $10 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Bound by the Square: Modern Printmaking in 12″x12″
Students are invited to move beyond observation and explore an object’s inner life, structure, and essence.
Instead of simply rendering what is seen on the surface, participants will imagine what lies beneath — the internal rhythms, hidden forms, and unseen energy that give an object its character. Through a process of analysis and invention, students will deconstruct and reconstruct familiar forms, transforming them into expressive, abstracted drawings that blur the line between representation and imagination.
Students are encouraged to move beyond their “normal” drawing mediums and explore mixing mediums and collage.
Drawing from the Inside Out
Dive into a lively exploration of watercolor, where color, movement, and spontaneity take center stage.
Discover inventive ways to build striking abstract patterns and rich textures through guided experimentation and a playful, process-driven approach. Whether you’re just beginning or already deep into your artistic journey, this upbeat session offers fresh techniques and creative sparks to energize your practice.
Watercolor Meditation
Yes, kids can safely sew on a machine! Learn all about how the machine works and then get sewing with simple projects like a pin cushion and small bags. Students will also learn hand stitching utilizing embroidery threat and felt to create cute animals like a teddy bear, dogs and cats. Embellish your project with fun buttons, sequins, bling, and fancy stitches.
Choice of projects will include small pillows, bags, stuffed animals and more. You’ll be speeding along in no time!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Sew Easy for Young People
On our annual Family Day, we invite families to explore our collections and buildings with storytelling and art-making activities for all ages. Enjoy learning more about the art right here in New Haven.
Family Day
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents, Signs of Love, a 7-week show celebrating love – in the sense of romantic love, as well as through other shared connections between people, animals, and the world around us. Discover new fine art, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and other unexpected pieces by emerging and established artists who represent these ideas in both subtle and bold, as well as personal and universal interpretations. Join us for an Open Reception, Friday, January 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to enjoy the fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments, and throughout the Open House Weekend, Saturday, January 24 from 1 to 6 pm and Sunday, January 25 from 1 to 5 pm. The exhibit runs through March 14. As always, Spectrum’s Artisans Store offers new pottery, glass, fiber, home décor, jewelry, clothing, and accessories, as well as children's books and toys. Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. Gallery and Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday (12-6 pm) and Sunday (12-5 pm). For more information about gallery exhibits, and classes and workshops for adults, teens, and children, call (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online 24/7 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
Signs of Love
Discover the world of printmaking using simple, everyday materials in this exciting new addition to the Young People’s Department lineup. Experimental Printmaking for Teens introduces students to a variety of techniques—including relief printing (aka stamping) and screen printing—while encouraging creative, outside-the-box thinking. Join us to explore image-making, experiment with multiples, and create unique prints in a fun, hands-on setting. No experience required!
The tuition for this class includes a materials fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Experimental Printmaking for Teens
Bring your creativity to life by designing and sewing your own stuffed animals! In this four-session series, held Sundays from January 4 through January 25, participants will learn the full process—from stitching and shaping to adding expressive features and personal details. You’ll explore both hand-sewing and basic embroidery techniques while learning how to customize existing patterns to make your creations truly one-of-a-kind.
This is a 4-part series held on Sundays January 4- January 25
What to Expect
Across four sessions, students will gain confidence in each step of the stuffed animal-making process, with guided instruction and hands-on practice. You’ll start with basic stitches and appliqué, move into embroidery and shaping, and finish with details like horns, fingers, or facial features. By the end, you’ll have the skills to confidently tackle any stuffed animal pattern you pick up.
Skills You’ll Learn
• Foundational hand-sewing techniques and decorative stitches
• Appliqué and simple embroidery for unique detailing
• Planning and placement for embroidery and embellishments
• Creating darts and gussets for three-dimensional shaping
• Adding features such as buttons, horns, and expressive faces
• Customizing and adapting existing stuffed animal patterns
What’s Provided
• All essential tools and materials for class use
• Pattern templates and reference guides
• Instruction and creative guidance from the instructor
Who Should Attend
Perfect for beginners or anyone interested in soft sculpture and textile art. No prior sewing experience is required—just curiosity and creativity!
4 sessions held Sundays,January 4 - January 25
Instructor: Christina Quinonez
Workshop Ticket Fee:
Standard Ticket: $99.00
MakeHaven Members: 84.00
You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:
https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=654&reset=1&reset=1
Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org
Cozy Creations: Stuffed Animal Workshop Series
Creativity grows with confidence!
Students will build on their drawing and painting skills through fun, hands-on projects that spark imagination and self-expression. Using pencils, pastels, watercolor, and paint, they’ll explore color, composition, texture, and perspective in exciting new ways. Along the way, students strengthen technical skills, try out fresh techniques, and discover even more confidence in their artistic voice.
Perfect for anyone who has already taken a drawing class at CAW or elsewhere and wants to keep growing as an artist!
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Drawing & Painting: Beyond the Basics
Overcome the mysteries of the sewing machine and discover how fun and easy it can be! Learn the basics of machine sewing including threading, operating, and troubleshooting.
Practice using the machine and then move on to simple projects for yourself or for gift-giving. Participants will learn a variety of machine sewing methods including piecing, applique, quilting, and freehand. Potential projects include art pieces, wall hangings, patchwork, quilt patterns, bags, a zippered pouch, table runner, or pillow cover. Tips for altering clothes can also be covered. Previous students are welcome to attend and work on more advanced projects.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $15 for basic materials provided by CAW.
Let’s Get Sewing
Inviting 1st -5th graders to join our Spring Play “The Quest, a Fairy Tale with Attitude”
SYNOPSIS: Something is terribly wrong with Grandma! She’s very sick and weak, but luckily for her, recovery is just a quest away! The teacher at the exclusive Fantasy Academy challenges her fairy tale character students to embark on a quest to gather three hard-to-obtain items and cure Grandma. Of course, every good fairy tale has a villain, and the best one of all is the big bad wolf, Huff-n-Puff! If Grandma is in good health, Huff-n-Puff’s plot to snatch the basket of goodies away from Little Red with a Hood might fail! He must keep Grandma feeble by finding the three items before the students do. The fairy tale students fight off the wolf and his sidekick, Tag-Along Troll, and continuously seek the audience’s assistance throughout their journey. Naturally, in the end, their quest is successful, and Grandma is better than ever!
Open to children 1st - 5th grade. All children registering will be cast in the show. There is no formal audition process. Actors will have unofficial Auditions on the first day of rehearsals. This will be a more relaxed, group-based atmosphere with the goal of matching actors with the parts that are best for them.
Rehearsals start on January 11th and are Sundays 1:30 - 3:30 pm and Tuesdays 4 - 6 pm with performances on March 27th, 28th, and 29th. Tech week will include extra rehearsals from 3/23 - 3/26.
When you register - you can pay now or select invoice me to pay later. Payments are due on January 11th. You can avoid credit card charges by paying by check or cash. If you are paying by check or cash select invoice me and bring payment to rehearsal. If you need financial assistance or a payment plan, please send an email to robyn@madisonartsbarn.org prior to registering!
The Quest - A Fairy Tale With Attitude
The 49th season of Essex Winter Series begins with its first concert on January 25, 2026 at Valley Regional High School in Deep River. Crafting a season that weaves together stellar performances with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, our new artistic director, flutist Tara Helen O’Connor begins by gathering friends for a program called Timeless Bonds & New Horizons. Joining Tara for the inaugural Mihae Lee Legacy Concert are Ani Kavafian, violin; Peter Wiley, cello; and Shai Wosner, piano ... four leading chamber musicians in an unforgettable collaboration to perform works by J.S.Bach, Mel Bonis, and Valerie Coleman,
culminating in Schubert’s ravishing Trio in B-flat Major, D. 898.
Concerts are on Sundays at 3 pm and are general admission. Adult - $45 / Student - $5. Discounted subscriptions are available as well. For information or tickets, visit
www.essexwinterseries.com or call 860-272-4572. For all our venues, parking, entry and seating accessibility is available.
2026 season sponsors include ASP Trust, BrandTech Scientific, Clark Group, Essex Bank & Essex Financial Services, Essex Meadows, Jeffrey N. Mehler CFP LLC, Masonicare at Chester Village, Tower Laboratories, and WSHU. We also gratefully acknowledge the support for our mission of concerts and community outreach received in part through grant funding by ASP Trust, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD/NEA, Essex Bank Community Investment Program, and The Kitchings Family Foundation.
Timeless Bonds & Renewed Horizons at Essex Winter Series
Bethesda Music Series Benefit Concert for Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen; Christopher Grundy, baritone and William Braun, pianist present Franz Schubert's sumptuous setting of poems of Wilhelm Müller depicting the emotions of a lonely wanderer in a wintry landscape. Bass-Baritone Christopher Grundy has performed as a soloist throughout North America and Europe in opera, oratorio and recital.
(https://www.christophergrundybaritone.com).) is Director of Choral Programs at
Sacred Heart University and Director of Music at the Unitarian Society of New
Haven. Pianist William Braun plays principal keyboards for the New Haven
Symphony Orchestra, and is a professor at The Hartt School of the University of
Hartford. Admission is free, but donations for Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen appreciated.
Schubert's Winterreise, Vocal & Piano music
Art Without a Home brings together artists, community members, and lived experience to challenge how we see housing, humanity, and each other. This is truth-telling. This is art as resistance, healing, and witness.
Art Without a Home Art Exhibition
In January, City Gallery present FRAGMENTS, a
group show featuring Meg Bloom, Joy Bush, and Phyllis Crowley. The fragments
include the visual perspectives seen in each of the artist’s individual works
but also as they relate to each other and to the visual experience of the
whole, of being and creating in this world. FRAGMENTS will be on view from
January 9 - February 1, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17 from
2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street,
New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by
appointment. For more, contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org,
Fragments: A Group Show at City Gallery
Get ready to sketch the world around you! In this fun and inspiring class, students will learn how to turn everyday moments into colorful works of art using markers. Whether it's a favorite toy, a family pet, or a scene from the park, young artists will be encouraged to observe their environment and express what they see through drawing. Students will learn: • How to sketch quickly and confidently • Marker techniques for shading, texture, and blending • How to create scenes that tell a story • Developing their own creative style Great for both beginners and experienced young sketchers! All levels welcome. Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for materials provided by CAW.
Drawing with Markers
🤩OPEN MIC NIGHT is held in our all indoor Game Garden every Monday (excluding private event bookings).Whether you're in the mood to tell a story, sing a song, or do some stand up, the mic will be open! Get in early to grab a drink, sign-ups begin at 5 PM🎤
INDUSTRY NIGHT will take place in the Beer Hall every Monday 6-9 PM! Service industry workers can enjoy $5 full-pours all night long. Come grab a stein and toast to some well deserved down time 🍻
Must be 21+
OPEN MIC & INDUSTRY NIGHT at East Rock Brewing Co.
Interested in capturing great images but not sure how to get started? By covering a few basic concepts, you will see your images improve and your confidence grow.
Explore camera exposure settings, smart-phone shooting strategies, and the art of strong composition. Experiment with our Canon Pro 1100 printer and create professional-quality prints that bring your work to life. This offering supports both new and developing photographers. Bring a digital camera to class with your lenses. Be sure to bring a charged battery and memory card installed.
Although the emphasis is on digital photography, the concepts covered here build a solid foundation for anyone curious about moving into film in the future.
Students also enjoy special Saturday photo shoots, personalized guidance, and hands-on printing support. Saturday sessions run 10am–1pm on Jan 10, 17, 31 and Feb 7.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW and includes four 8×10 prints from the Canon printer. Each additional print is $5 for a 4×6 or 5×7 proof plus a final 8×10 payable by cash or check at the time of printing
Introduction to Digital Camera and Smart Phone Photography
Explore the joy of painting in this beginner-friendly class. Students will learn fundamental painting techniques, including brushwork, color mixing, and layering. You’ll be guided through observational exercises designed to build both confidence and skill. Students may choose to work in either oil or acrylic paint.
CAW does not supply paint, brushes, or canvas. Please see the list below for what students need to bring.
Introduction to Painting
Learn how to create digital artwork using Procreate on the iPad.
We’ll cover the essentials—drawing, color, layering, and brush techniques—while exploring how digital tools can enhance your creative process. Procreate’s intuitive features make it easy to blend traditional art skills with modern flexibility.
Designed for beginners or anyone curious about digital art, this class offers a step-by-step approach to building skills and confidence with Procreate.
The Basics of Digital Drawing
Explore the art of block printing with linoleum.
The instructor will demonstrate the process for carving and printing a 4” x 6” linoleum block, as well as a variety of inking and printing processes. Students will focus on developing original designs and concepts to prepare a linoleum block to ink, create a series, and print the results.
All printing will be done with water-soluble inks.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW. Linoleum Blocks and paper will be provided for the first two classes; students will need to purchase their own paper and blocks after the second session.
Exploring Linoleum Block Printing
Explore the art of block printing with linoleum.
The instructor will demonstrate the process for carving and printing a 4” x 6” linoleum block, as well as a variety of inking and printing processes. Students will focus on developing original designs and concepts to prepare a linoleum block to ink, create a series, and print the results.
All printing will be done with water-soluble inks.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours.
Tuition for this class includes a fee of $20 for basic materials provided by CAW. Linoleum Blocks and paper will be provided for the first two classes; students will need to purchase their own paper and blocks after the second session.
Exploring Linoleum Block Printing
During November 24, 2025– February 4, 2026, the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway Campus is pleased to present the work of Hafsa Nouman and Sarah Phyllis Smith in their two-person exhibition “You Will Be the Mirror”.
This exhibition includes luminous abstract paintings by Hafsa Nouman, and delicate narrative photographs from Sarah Phyllis Smith. Nouman’s abstract fields are mirrored in Smith’s conceptual photographs and both artists deconstruct space, context, and interpretation with their unique, thought provoking art practices.
Hafsa’s practice focuses on the deconstruction of colonial hierarchies embedded in patriarchal spaces- both monumental and domestic. Her critical focus is rooted in the relationship between ‘object’ and ‘desire’ which often results in visual excavations of architectural thresholds, such as doors, walls, and wrought iron patterns. Through those thresholds, Nouman creates a spatial logic that brings attention to the painted object’s histories, and material realities in a way that they can be re-embodied in the gallery space.
Sarah’s photography follows another deconstruction through abstraction and manipulation of the images. Though her work is deeply personal, themes of loss, longing, and desire permeate throughout her images, and act as both voyeuristic insight and decontextualization. In this examination of her personal experiences the viewer is invited into her both stark and tender space, where deep and slow processing occurs. When we see figures in her work, they are sometimes performative, and sometimes autobiographical. These two directions bring Sarah’s images into their own world. They come from a realistic documentation, but through her perception we arrive at an open-ended meditative place of self-discovery.
Please join us for a reception on Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00pm with light refreshments and food. The NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery at CT State Community College, Gateway is open Monday -Friday 9:00am-9:00pm.
Artist Talk:11:00am-12:00pm in the Gallery.
You Will Be the Mirror: Hafsa Nouman & Sarah Phyllis Smith
Develop your pottery skills as you focus on wheel-throwing techniques in stoneware and porcelain.
Lessons will cover both functional and decorative pottery with emphasis on classical forms as we know them. Students will be shown how to apply glazes and/or oxide washes to achieve desired results, such as combining glaze colors and the application of wood ash to create unexpected effects on their work. Wear clothes that can get dirty.
Pottery tool kits are available for sale in the studio for $27 and firing fees are $3.50/pound. Payable by credit card, cash or check.
Includes one 3-hour weekly practice session during monitored practice hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Intermediate and Advanced Pottery
Learn basic metalsmithing for making jewelry, developing new skills, or strengthen existing ones. Weekly demonstrations introduce tools and techniques required for working with nonferrous sheet metal and wire. Demonstrations may include sawing, filing, cold-connecting, soldering, surface embellishment, forging, shaping, fold forming, finishing, and patina coloring.
The tuition for this class includes a fee of $40 for basic materials provided by CAW.
