Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

Join Alexis Rockman and Dorothy Spears in conversation with author Kurt Andersen at Belden House.

Naples: Course of Empire is a series of seven panoramic paintings by American artist Alexis Rockman inspired by Thomas Cole’s nineteenth-century cycle The Course of Empire. Executed in Rockman’s signature style of history painting, the works examine the long and fraught relationship between human civilization and the natural world.

With time itself as protagonist, this monograph of the same name will be released June 2026 and presents the entire development of the seven panoramic paintings in great detail. By connecting art history with pressing contemporary realities, climate science, and ecological collapse, the cycle paints a new picture of our civilization.

Rather than presenting history as linear progress, the cycle unfolds as recurrence: creation, eruption, collapse, and transformation repeating across vastly different scales of time. Alongside the paintings, the book presents Rockman’s field drawings made with volcanic material gathered directly from Mount Vesuvius. These works function as both studies and relics: records of direct contact between image and geology.

Together, they form a contemporary Course of Empire—in this case, not a moral allegory but an ecological one—where civilization is revealed as a brief, combustible phase within a far larger planetary story.

With an insightful essay written by Dorothy Spears, this master work provokes reflection and conversation.

Free with R.S.V.P. Guests will have the option to pre-purchase a copy of Naples: Course of Empire, or purchase a copy at the event from Hickory Stick Bookshop.

https://beldenhouse.com/culture/author-talk-with-alexis-rockman-in-conversation-with-kurt-andersen/

Kenise Barnes Fine Art is pleased to present Closer to the Sun, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Gabe Brown, an acclaimed American painter whose work explores the mystical forces of the natural world through luminous color, symbolic geometry, and layered abstraction. Brown’s paintings invite viewers into a universe where the rhythms of nature, memory, and imagination converge.

Gabe Brown was raised in New York City and has built a distinguished career as a painter whose work is exhibited widely across the United States. Her practice is rooted in a deep engagement with the natural world, drawing inspiration from many sources including birdsong, plant structures, space exploration and natural phenomena. Her paintings—primarily in oil and acrylic—are known for their elegant compositions and sense of wonder.

Brown’s work has been featured in numerous galleries and museums nationwide, including Norton Museum of Art, Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, Garrison Art Center, ArtsWestchester, Schweinfurth Arts Center, SUNY Brockport, The Horticultural Society of New York, Albany International Airport. Brown has participated in prestigious artist residencies, including The Saltonstall Foundation, Anderson Center at Tower View, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Women’s Studio Workshop, Resident Fellow, Monson Arts, Monson, ME, VCCA, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, The Spruce, and Ucross Foundation. Her work is held in both public and private collections including The Gund Collection, Saks Fifth Avenue, Time Warner Cable, University Art Museum, University at Albany, Capital One Corporation, Marina Bay Sands, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, Caribbean Cruise Line to name a few.

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

Kenise Barnes Fine Art, 7 Fulling Lane, Kent, CT 06757
https://www.kbfa.com/exhibitions/301-gabe-brown-closer-to-the-sun/overview/

Robert Baras’s artwork will be is featured in a collaborative presentation between The Good Gallery and the Craig Anthony Longhurst (CAL) showroom both located in Kent Ct. The Partnership integrates Baras’s abstract, nature inspired canvases in a fine art setting and a curated interior design environment.
Both locations are in the heart of the Kent village and within a stroll of each other.

Modernist Artist Robert Baras whose painting were influenced by summers in the rich cultural art scene of the South of France will be on display. Of the huge collection, we have hand-picked nature and spring themes that offer romantic European scenes and floral.

We are also excited to announce and present the new collection of prints “Chance Encounters” a collection of serendipitous prints that connects Baras’s work in a unique way.

The Good Gallery
23 South Main Street
Kent Ct. 06757
and
Craig Anthony Longhurst Showroom
27 North Main Street
Kent Ct. 06757
https://www.thegoodgallerykent.com/artists/baras

Summer Sunset Concert Series – Potter’s Field

Local favorite performing cover songs & originals with amazing harmony and vocals.
Food Truck: Meraki
BYOB & lawn chairs, blanket
Rain (indoors) or Shine

Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-8302

Summer Sunset Concert Series – Potter’s Field

Celebrate the approaching summer solstice with Steep Rock Association! Take a short guided hike through the hayfield, then gather around the firepit for refreshments, conversation, and fun.

Steep Rock Association, 116 Christian St, New Preston, CT. Parking is at Macricostas Preserve, 124 Christian St.

Summer Solstice Firepit Gathering, Thursday, June 18, 2026

We invite you to view an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Susan Monserud (1940-2026). Art and design were the focus of Susan’s career, first as an artist, and later as an AIA registered architect. This special show spans her entire artistic career, including work produced from the 1960’s to 2026. It enables the opportunity to view Susan’s use of line, shape, value and color in an intimate and emotionally powerful way. A portion of the proceeds of all sales from this exhibition will be donated to local charities. Come and experience this tribute to Susan’s extraordinary creative spirit.
The event will run Daily 4/27/26 til 5/2/26 and then 5/8/26 and 5/9/26
Between 12-00 noon and 4-00pm This event is free.

The Good Gallery
23 South Main Street
Kent, Ct. 06757
(Just south of the lights)
https://www.thegoodgallerykent.com

Pick-Your-Own Tulips Are in Full Swing

It’s a short season—and completely at the mercy of Mother Nature—so if you’ve been meaning to come, now’s the time. Visit our website for an up-to-date bloom report and notification of when the tulip picking season has ended (generally sometime in May).

Tulips are $30 for 20 stems or $1.50 each. No tickets or reservations needed, just stop by the farm.

Fancy narcissus are also blooming in the back fields at $0.50 per stem.

Northern Farm & Flowers
59 Old Middle Street (Route 63)
Goshen, CT 06756

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Meet a real stealth fighter pilot this Memorial Day weekend!

Prepare for takeoff! Kids (and their adult co-pilots) will spread their wings and hit the heights at AMP’s first-ever ! This day will feature interactive experiences that will simulate flight, fun art projects, and the opportunity to meet a real U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. With our sky-high mural as a backdrop, this exciting event will have your imagination soaring!

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Break the fun barrier with a pilot helmet exhibit, photo ops, tours of our mural, and more! Paper Airplane Contest: design and decorate your own paper airplanes; we’ll let them fly at 1pm with prizes in various categories. Take your pilot training up a notch with a virtual reality flight simulator and a wind tunnel experience for a modest additional charge.

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This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids to meet a real-life Air Force fighter pilot! Colonel Alton Whitley (please call him “Al”) is a decorated veteran who served during the Vietnam War, took command of the 37th Fighter Wing, and deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Al was the first operational pilot to jump in the seat to fly the legendary Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk a.k.a. the first combat aircraft to feature stealth technology! He will tell you about his training, career, and answer your questions! If you use your eagle eyes, you might even see where AMP’s Ellen Griesedieck has painted Al’s stealthy plane in our mural!

American Mural Project,
90 Whiting Street
Winsted, CT 06098
https://www.americanmuralproject.org/family-flight-lab-talk

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is an impactful (and fun!) event that creates space for meaningful conversation around a difficult topic while raising awareness, supporting survivors, and demonstrating our community’s commitment to safety, healing, and growth.

Men, women, and children are encouraged to participate!

WALK DETAILS
• Walk: Sunday, May 17th, 9:30-10:30 am, Center of Litchfield

• Walk After Party: 10:30 – 11:30 am, Tapping Reeve Meadow

• 2 Registration Levels: Stiletto & Pump

• Shoes & t-shirts included with Stiletto Level Registration

• Individual, team, and virtual participation

• Prizes, live music, food and drinks

• Men, women, and children invited to participate

Register to Walk

REGISTRATION LEVELS
Register as an individual or rally your troops and start a team!

Stiletto Level:
Make a $35 gift when you register and receive our Walk t-shirt, a swag bag, and an (optional) borrowed pair of the iconic red shoes (in men’s sizes only).

Pump Level:
Register at no cost and receive a swag bag and a borrowed pair of the iconic red shoes.

Wear your shoes to walk your mile or simply for the awesome photo ops! Red shoe covers are also available. You can also find your own shoes to fit your personal style (and comfort level) to decorate however you wish. High heels not required.
No matter which shoes you choose,

Everyone is welcome to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®!

Register to Walk

Argentine Tango Free Open House! Join Galletto & Guzmán to celebrate our 1st year teaching in Washington, CT. Event takes place Tuesday May 26 at 7PM starting with an intro class and followed by Special Performance. Location is at the Parish House in St John’s Episcopal Church. Enter on Parsonage Ln and parking entrance at the back. Discount class packages available on-site. Family friendly event. DON’T MISS IT.

Avoid rubber sole shoes. Socks are fine. This class is open to absolute beginners and experienced dancers. RSVP recommended, Walkins ok: Call / Text 347-579-8183.

The Parish House at St John’s Episcopal Church
9 Parsonage Ln, Washington CT.

ARGENTINE Tango