Each week, homeschoolers will focus on a different artist, art movement, or art medium. They will take a tour of the galleries and then creating original artwork. Students of all ages will enjoy being artistic, social, and learning new skills!
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main St, Waterbury, CT 06702
Free parking behind the YMCA
https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/home-away-from-homeschool-2-2/
The Hickory Stick Bookshop is excited to welcome author Nicholas Benson who will be reading from his latest book of poetry “I Commissioned Some Wooden Luggage” on Sunday, June 29th at 2 pm.
ABOUT THE BOOK
While backpacking in Europe as a teenager in the 1980s, Nick Benson stumbled on a window display in a Venetian gallery that caught his eye: it featured a beautifully carved duffle-bag sculpted from wood, complete with drawers. For the itinerant Benson, this objet d’art was a source of fascination: “you could keep your travel bag by your bed and be ready to go, but it could also be a useful piece of furniture…I would have commissioned some wooden luggage, if not for the price tag… instead it became a metaphor and took on a life of its own. I didn’t realize it then, but it’s the embodiment of wanting opposing things at once. It seems to sum up this permanent sense of duality-rootedness and restlessness”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicholas Benson, son of a US diplomat, was born in West Germany in 1966 and grew up in Yugoslavia, Turkey, and the USSR. He holds a PhD in Italian (New York University, 1999) and an MFA in Writing (Vermont College of Fine Arts, 2009).
A cup of coffee and a book of poetry…Benson is an English teacher at the Frederick Gunn School in Washington. He also translates Italian literature (poetry, books, a short novel). He loves cooking, and he loves coffee. Since 2007, he has been roasting his own coffee beans. He turned his passion for coffee into a business, and now he is a micro-roaster. He has a loyal following in Litchfield County.
Author photograph – Mike Yamin.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
“Benson’s poems are a mixture of wit and sorrow, satire and self-reckoning, urban pastoral and epigram; they manifest themselves in a myriad of inventive forms, including experiments with line, collage, and poetic sequence-making. They are cosmopolitan, urbane, and just plain damn smart poems.” — David Wojahn
“A terrific poet, Benson’s poems range from a kind of Whitmanesque vision as he tries to visit an old Jewish graveyard in NY to intense lyrics that as he says in one poem, would ‘rescue your breaking heart.’ This is a poet and translator with a wide range of talents.” — Richard Jackson
This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve copies of “I Commissioned Some Wooden Luggage” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.
The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://hickorystickbookshop.com/event/2025-06-11/nicholas-benson-poetry-reading
Page to Plate *New This Year!*
Saturday, August 2, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Our brand-new, all-day, culinary-literary experience, where books and bites meet. Learn how to prepare amazing recipes, catch cooking demos, and listen to the chef’s stories. Signed cookbooks will be available for sale all day.
27th Annual Sharon Summer Book Signing
Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3, 2025
Join us under the white tent to celebrate libraries and the Freedom to Read. Your ticket grants you access to meet 29 authors,
buy their books, and enjoy a delightful selection of hors d’oeuvres and refreshing drinks. Eight festive dinners at fabulous homes follow, providing a chance for in-depth conversation with authors.
Join us for a reading of our story of the month which relates to the Kid’s Art Workshop that follows each story time.
This month’s story is: Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main St, Waterbury CT, 06702
https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/storytime-hey-al/
The 9-by-30-foot mural that will be displayed on the elevator tower of the Bantam Arts Factory is done and it will be unveiled June 29!
The unveiling event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on the top floor of the Arts Factory building. All are invited to attend.
The mural features a central image of a woman making pottery surrounded by references to other defining elements of Litchfield, including agriculture, the cinema and residents in the film business, the town’s bakeries, chefs and food establishments – and the signature Bantam rooster.
It was painted by artist and muralist @daniellemailer of Goshen, with some help from community members.
The @litchfieldartscouncil is proud to sponsor this ambitious public art project. It will be a memorable landmark piece for Litchfield residents and those who visit our town.
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the mural project should email Arts Council Chair Priscilla Jeffrey at lacadmin@litchfieldartscouncil.org
BANTAM ARTS FACTORY
931 BANTAM ROAD, BANTAM CT 06750
TOP FLOOR; ELEVATOR ACCESSIBLE
Saturday, June 14th is International Knit in Public Day Celebrate your love of yarn and knitting/crocheting at Caroline Ferriday’s home. Bring your WIP, folding chair or blanket and enjoy the beauty of the grounds at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. Meet fellow knitters and share your projects and techniques. This is a FREE event and grounds fees are waived for those with knitting projects.
Saturday
June 14th
12-3pm
Free event
9 Main St N, Bethlehem, Connecticut 06751
ctlandmarks.org/bellamy-ferriday-house-garden/
BIRDBRAIN opens at ICEHOUSE Project Space, June 14, 4-6
Please join me in celebrating a beloved art-making inspiration: our fine feathered friends. BIRDBRAIN is a group project that includes work by Michael Ballou, Deborah Brown, Mary Carlson, Jennifer Coates, Valerie Hammond, Wendy Klemperer, Erin Kono, Donna Moylan, Rob Ober, Mike Piggott, Charles Shedden, Fred Tomaselli, Erik Daniel White, and Brenda Zlamany in media ranging from porcelain to paint and paper-mache. Portions or proceeds will be donated to the Sharon Audubon Center. I will be transforming the exterior of the icehouse into a giant birdhouse.
The reception at ICEHOUSE Project Space will take place on Saturday, June 14, 4-6. At five o’clock, Audubon Staff will introduce some of their rescued birds to our audience. This opening reception is rain or shine — there will be a tent to keep us dry!
The exhibition will be open by appointment only through July 6. A Sunday morning reception will take place on June 29, from 10-12. Other hours may be announced before the project closes.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FREE, Donations Welcome
* Pre-registration encouraged
“Opera” on our Theater Screen
Doors Open:5:30
Join fellow opera lovers to view and discuss Falstaff
Running time is approx. 3 hrs and there will be one short interval when coffee will be available.
Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-8302
www.thecommunitycenter.org
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Cost $7 at the Door
* Pre-registration REQUIRED BY Wednesday Jun 18th here:
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=20661
Enjoy a tasty lunch, wonderful music and lots of dancing!
Menu: BBQ Cookout!
Band: Survivors Swing band
Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-8302
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