Arts

Arts section

New Play In and About Guilford Next Weekend

by DonInGuilford | Arts

Many Guilford residents own a copy of “the green book,” the Official History of Guilford, published for the town’s bicentennial in 1961. The marvelous characters and stories, from the time of the first settlers — Micha and Silence Rice in 1761 — to the town we know and live in, now come to life in a new way.

On the first weekend in October, Guilford Center Stage will present the premiere of a new full-length play, “Vermont Mythos—a small town fable,” written & directed by Michael Nethercott. Think of it as “The Unoffical History of Guilford.”

Several months ago, the theater company asked Nethercott, a Guilford playwright and longtime GCS collaborator, to create a play which in some way would recognize the town’s backstory. The play blends local legends, historical figures, and imaginative storytelling into a theatrical fable exploring the human experience with humor, mystery, and heart.

James Primrose on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

An artist and printmaker, JAMES PRIMROSE shares his skills, enthusiasm and good will at The Wonky Press. He’s created a retail and maker space here on Main Street right across from the library – it’s also a haven for the underground music scene.

Tune in to hear about this unique and successful combination!

Strength of the Storm at the Latchis

by ESchwartz | Arts

On September 27 at 4 P.M. the Brattleboro Labor Film Festival will screen Strength of the Storm, which tells the story of residents of Weston Mobile Home Park as they organize for their rights after losing their homes in Tropical Storm Irene. This film was an official selection at the Vermont international Film Festival, the Green Mountain Film Festival, and the White River Indie Film Festival. The screening will take place at the Latchis Theatre, 50 Main St., Brattleboro

Labor Film Festival Screens Immigrant Worker Films

by ESchwartz | Arts

On Sunday September 13 at 4 PM, the Brattleboro Labor Film Festival will screen two films depicting the lives of immigrant dairy workers in Vermont. La Liga opens the set, showing how sport fosters community among immigrant workers in Vermont, as well as spotlighting the workers’ struggle for economic justice. It is followed by Hide, which shows the lives of several migrant workers from Latin America who sustain Vermont’s dairy farms as well as organizing for their human rights. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Migrant Justice. They will be joined by a representative from AFT-VT’s Bargaining for the Common Good, and Mac Christopher, co-director of La Liga and a Guilford resident. The panel will be moderated by John Field of Putney.

Faces of Mexico Photography Exhibit

by ann.newsmith | Arts

Faces of Mexico, a photography exhibit by Norm Oakes and Ann Newsmith, is on view at All Souls Church UU in West Brattleboro. The images portray the ordinary people the couple has met throughout Mexico over the past two decades…street vendors, artists, musicians, and families, at work and at play. They hope to convey the warm, open, accepting, dignified, and hard-working character of the Mexican people.

Festival Brings Labor Films to Brattleboro

by ESchwartz | Arts

Windham County’s first ever Labor Film Festival, will open on September 6 at 4 p.m. at the historic Latchis Theater, 50 Main St., in Brattleboro. Running on four Sundays through October 4, the festival will focus on a different theme each week, screening films that show the breadth of the labor movement and address many of the issues facing workers today. Each screening will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring speakers engaged directly in these issues.

The festival opens with a screening of Partners, a documentary about the union drive at the Buffalo Starbucks that has grown to nearly 700 Starbucks locations in 40 states, energizing and reshaping the labor movement across the world. The film takes viewers behind the scenes, showing how workers organized in the face of the company’s aggressive and well-funded anti-union attacks.

Follow the Rainbow, Find Your Gift

by ann.newsmith | Arts

Follow the Rainbow, Find the Gift, is an exhibit of work created by artists in recovery from cancer and artists who have supported others in their cancer journey. It will be on view for the month of August at All Souls Church UU in the West Village Meeting House, West Brattleboro.
Local artist and founder of the Harmony Collective Kay Curtis, recently diagnosed, is recreating a show she saw in Mendocino, California, 30 years ago, which made a profound impact on her. “I want to transform the conversation for myself and others from being a victim of something beyond our control to an inquiry about how Cancer allowed us to, perhaps, slow down, finally pay attention to my eating habits, connect with people around me, prioritize the things on my wish list, have that conversation with my estranged sister….on and on. In other words, what is the gift?”

Next Stage Gallery Presents ‘METALSUM,’ New Exhibition by Jane Kolias

by hahrenholz | Arts

PUTNEY, VT — Next Stage Arts presents “METALSUM,” a new exhibition by Putney artist Jane Kolias, with an opening reception on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. The reception is free and open to the public; RSVPs are requested at nextstagearts.org.

“METALSUM” showcases Kolias’ inventive sculptures and metal quilts, transforming discarded objects into compelling works of art that celebrate creativity, sustainability, and the beauty of reinvention.

Inspired by nature and guided by the materials themselves, Kolias creates rustic sculptures from abandoned metal objects gathered from antique shops, thrift stores, scrap yards, rural roadsides, woodland walks, and even the occasional kitchen drawer. Each work begins with an idea but evolves organically as salvaged components suggest new possibilities, resulting in unexpected compositions that reveal the hidden character of everyday materials.

Deidre Scherer on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Many of you have seen DEIDRE SCHERER’s unique art and exquisite layered fabric and thread creations. Her work evokes connectivity by revealing individuality, spirit and soul. Tune in for wonderful stories of one artist’s journey toward understanding by exploring new perspectives and expressions. Deidre is a member of the Rock River Artists in the Williamsville-Newfane area – Their 2026 Open Studio Tour is July 18 & 19.

Seth Knopp on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

YELLOW BARN’s music influence is international and innovative.  Artistic Director SETH KNOPP creates and explores new ways of experiencing music – chamber, classical and experiential – and brings a wide array of musicians to the annual Yellow Barn Festival. A pianist and educator, Seth also talks about exciting new developments outside the Big Barn, AND the 2026 Festival season which is Happening Now!

Peter Gould on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

One of our most popular performers and innovative theater educators, PETER GOULD is also a playwright, novelist and activist. Peter leads with humor and an innate magical approach to life.

Tune in for great stories and insights into wondrous possibilites… AND Catch his”Juliet & Romeo” Production May 20-23 at U-32 Performing Arts Center!

Becky Graber on”Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

BECKY GRABER shows us a sure-fire way to bring folks together in harmony – through singing! Join her and Brattleboro Harmonia (formerly The Brattleboro Woman’s Chorus) for her farewell concert as conductor on Mother’s Day, May 10 at 4pm at the Latchis Theater.

And tune in to hear personal stories of Becky’s life, singing, storytelling, composing, and teaching in the oral tradition.

Joey Morgan’s “Forgotten Not Gone” Opens at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Arts

PUTNEY—Next Stage Arts presents Forgotten Not Gone, a powerful new exhibition by Brattleboro-based artist Joey Morgan, with an opening reception on Sunday, May 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Next Stage, 15 Kimball Hill. The event is free and open to the public; RSVPs are encouraged at nextstagearts.org.

This new body of work—comprising 12 mixed media collages—emerges from the remnants of Morgan’s earlier project, Have You Ever Loved Me?, much of which was lost in a flood. Rather than reconstruct what was destroyed, Morgan has transformed those fragments into something entirely new. Forgotten Not Gone is an intimate and deeply affecting exploration of personal rupture, tracing the emotional terrain of betrayal, loss, and transformation.

BLACKOUT: How I Became White in America 

by GeorgeCC | Arts

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church will present the one-woman show BLACKOUT: How I Became White in America on Saturday, April 25 at 2 pm.  This original show is written and performed by Ethelyn Friend, actor, teacher and writer. Her performance reflects one white woman’s process of facing her direct links to slavery, a somatic, musical, and theatrical exploration of denial, guilt and response.  Friend notes this performance directly addresses “white America.”  The 90- minute show is followed by an optional community conversation.

Artwork by Gregory Damien Grinnell at Latchis Gallery 4

by saucer66 | Arts

Guilford VT artist, Gregory Damien Grinnell has worked in multimedia for most of his career, engaging painting, sculpture, film, audio, and site-specific installation to create works that explore both narrative and non-narrative perspectives.

His current practice investigates the sequential nature of these mediums, examining how a body of work can operate as a meta-narrative composed of interconnected sub-narratives. Within this intentionally constructed framework, thematic elements may be read either as deeply interrelated components of a unified environment or as more autonomous actions unfolding within a shared world.

Arlene Distler on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

April is Poetry Month ! Check out store windows in Brattleboro for “Poems Around Town” which is just one of ARLENE DISTLER’s many projects. She also co-founded “The Women’s Film Festival,” the Town Tree Board, and “Write Action”, among lots of other great assets to our town. A poet, journalist and artist, Arlene’s creativity and hard work are an inspiration for us all and have helped this community thrive.

Tiny Theater Celebrates National Poetry Month with Four-Weekend Poetry Reading Series

by tinytheater | Arts

Tiny Theater will celebrate National Poetry Month this April with an expansive four-weekend series of poetry readings honoring the rich diversity of poetic traditions across history and cultures. The FREE program will feature performances and readings spanning major poetic movements—from classical traditions to contemporary spoken word—along with special guest appearances and themed events.

Each weekend in April, hosted by ByWay Books & More,  Tiny Theater will host gatherings that highlight influential poetry periods and genres including Renaissance and Metaphysical poetry, Romantic and Victorian poetry, Faith and Devotional poetry, Modern and Postmodern poetry, and Contemporary forms such as spoken word, performance poetry, slam, and hip hop poetry.

Ben Stockman on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

BEN STOCKMAN has some great stories of his early years at NEYT, (New England Youth Theater); capturing the spirit and camaraderie that was the foundation which created his deep love of acting and directing. Now, as the Artistic Director at NEYT, Ben is continuing that tradition and creating inspired productions and new stories.