Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
Getting it Down on Paper: How to Tell Your Story - FREE INTRODUCTION
Getting it Down on Paper: How to Tell Your Story - led by Irene Sherlock, MFA
Free workshop as a precursor to the full workshop on April 11th, you do not need to take the April workshop to attend the free introduction.
Do you enjoy writing but are wondering how to take your work to the next level? Would you benefit from informed feedback in a collegial, supportive workshop? Whether your interest is in memoir, personal essays, or fiction, published author Irene Sherlock has designed a program to help advance your writing. Each participant will leave with new insights into how to better craft and convey the meaning of their message.
Throughout the course of the day, participants will analyze both poems and prose, examining ways in which different writing styles share common traits of storytelling. Participants will write from prompts and have a chance to share their work with the group. This setting allows for ideas to flourish and for each member to benefit from a professional writing experience.
The workshop is limited to ten. Please register by March 20. Attendees should bring writing materials which might include a laptop or pencil and paper. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
Coffee or tea will be provided. For more information or to pre-register email vicinanza.studios@gmail.com
Here’s what two former group members have to say about these workshops:
“Irene delivered supportive feedback in an honest, upbeat manner that never left me feeling deflated or discouraged –– quite the opposite. Her ability to focus on the minute details, as well as the overall direction of a piece, helped me achieve a greater understanding of the craft. Irene’s thorough feedback, guidance and generosity exceeded anything I could have hoped for.” Colleen W., workshop participant
“Irene Sherlock’s writing class changed my life. Although my job is time-consuming and exhausting, I now find time to write in my journal and prepare for my future as a writer. Irene was so generous with her time and knowledge about what it takes to fine-tune and polish a piece of writing.” Joyce W., workshop participant
$79 (10 People Limit) Register HERE!
Gouache Basics: Painting Light & Form with Simple Shapes
Gouache Basics: Painting Light & Form with Simple Shapes - with David Walsh
By the end of this class, students will paint one simple still life object showing a clear light source, highlights, midtones, core shadows, cast shadows, and reflected light using gouache.
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
The Art of Paper Making
Although modern inventions and engineering have transformed an ancient craft into a highly technical industry, the basic operations in paper making remain the same to this day. The steps in the process are as follows: (1) a suspension of cellulosic fibre is prepared by beating it in water so that the fibers are thoroughly separated and saturated with water; (2) the paper stock is filtered on a woven screen to form a matted sheet of fibre; (3) the wet sheet is pressed and compacted to squeeze out a large proportion of water; (4) the remaining water is removed by evaporation; and (5) depending upon use requirements, the dry paper sheet is further compressed, coated, or impregnated.
In this workshop, we will learn to make paper mash and finished paper with various types of garnish. Supplies will be provided.
$40 (15 Person Limit)
Lyrical Light & The Divine Cosmos: An Opening Reception with Jill Nichols
Join us at Vicinanza Studios & Gallery for an immersive evening celebrating the evocative works of Jill Nichols. This opening reception invites you to step into a world where the boundaries between the earth and the infinite blur, captured through a masterly play of color and light.
Nichols’ work serves as a visual bridge between the familiar landscapes of our world and the vast expanses of the cosmos. In this collection, guests will experience what the artist describes as "lyrical compositions"—paintings that don’t just depict a scene, but capture the fleeting, invisible elements of nature: the whisper of the wind, the shift of luminous clouds, and the sacred geometry that binds the universe together.
Whether you are drawn to her large-scale landscapes or her celestial-inspired pieces, this reception offers a rare opportunity to engage with art that is both deeply peaceful and vibrantly alive. Come enjoy an evening of fine art, community, and the profound beauty of the "divine cosmos."
About the Artist: Jill Harrington Nichols
Jill Harrington Nichols is an award-winning artist whose career spans over 30 years. With an MFA from Western Connecticut State University and a foundation built at the Art Students League in NYC, Jill has developed a reputation for creating art that resonates on both a cultural and spiritual level.
Her work has achieved remarkable international recognition:
The Vatican Collection: Her painting “Phi,” which celebrates the divine feminine, was selected for the permanent collection of the Vatican Observatory Museum.
Television & History: Jill’s commissioned painting of Washington D.C. gained national attention as the backdrop for James Comey’s interview on Face the Nation and was subsequently featured in the Showtime mini-series The Comey Rule.
Prestigious Honors: She has received awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the Connecticut Office of the Arts.
As a former Vice President of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, Jill is deeply rooted in the New England art scene, yet her influence reaches far beyond. She shares her expertise as an educator at the Silvermine Art School and the Rowayton Arts Center, and she leads sought-after painting workshops and retreats in Italy and France.
Artist Philosophy: Jill views her painting as a form of poetry. She works with an "urgency to capture and share the moment," documenting the vanishing beauty of the natural world. Her goal is to invite the viewer into a state of "enraptured presence," where they can find peace and connection within the infinite.
Getting it Down on Paper: How to Tell Your Story
Getting it Down on Paper: How to Tell Your Story - led by Irene Sherlock, MFA
All proceeds will support future programming at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery
Do you enjoy writing but are wondering how to take your work to the next level? Would you benefit from informed feedback in a collegial, supportive workshop? Whether your interest is in memoir, personal essays, or fiction, published author Irene Sherlock has designed a program to help advance your writing. Each participant will leave with new insights into how to better craft and convey the meaning of their message.
Throughout the course of the day, participants will analyze both poems and prose, examining ways in which different writing styles share common traits of storytelling. Participants will write from prompts and have a chance to share their work with the group. This setting allows for ideas to flourish and for each member to benefit from a professional writing experience.
The workshop is limited to ten. Please register by March 20. Attendees should bring writing materials which might include a laptop or pencil and paper. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
Coffee or tea will be provided. For more information or to pre-register email vicinanza.studios@gmail.com
Here’s what two former group members have to say about these workshops:
“Irene delivered supportive feedback in an honest, upbeat manner that never left me feeling deflated or discouraged –– quite the opposite. Her ability to focus on the minute details, as well as the overall direction of a piece, helped me achieve a greater understanding of the craft. Irene’s thorough feedback, guidance and generosity exceeded anything I could have hoped for.” Colleen W., workshop participant
“Irene Sherlock’s writing class changed my life. Although my job is time-consuming and exhausting, I now find time to write in my journal and prepare for my future as a writer. Irene was so generous with her time and knowledge about what it takes to fine-tune and polish a piece of writing.” Joyce W., workshop participant
$79 (10 People Limit) Register HERE!
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music
This month’s event will not be having a featured poet and is available for open mic’ers.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music takes place every 2nd Sunday at the Gallery. Renowned poets and local talents alike will find a platform for their poetry, prose, spoken word, and acoustic performances creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and expression. By hosting these events, VSG aims to foster a sense of community and promote the art of poetry in Southbury and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, a storyteller, or simply a lover of the spoken word, mark your calendar for our open mic afternoons.
Free and open to the public (Suggested Donation)
Karaoke @ the Gallery
Join us at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery for our exciting Karaoke Night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to have some fun, our karaoke program is the perfect place to showcase your talent and enjoy a night of music and entertainment.
Event Highlights:
Date & Time: Every third Thursday, 6 PM - 9 PM - sign up starts at 5:30
Location: Vicinanza Studios and Gallery
Open to All: Singers of all skill levels are welcome
Wide Song Selection: From classic hits to the latest chart-toppers
Friendly Atmosphere: Supportive and lively community of music lovers
Grab your friends, pick your favorite songs, and get ready to shine under the spotlight at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery's Karaoke Night! It's the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and meet new people. See you there!
Tinting Workshop with Bob Ferrucci (Day 1)
Vicinanza Studios & Gallery is thrilled to welcome back celebrated artist Bob Ferrucci for a unique, dual-track 🎨 Tinting Workshop. This immersive experience is designed for artists of all levels who want to master the delicate art of color layering while choosing the style that speaks to them most. ✨
In this special session, Bob offers a personalized "choose your path" approach. Whether you are drawn to the charm of traditional storytelling or the emotive power of modern forms, you will learn how to breathe life into your canvas using Bob’s signature tinting methods.
🖌️ Choose Your Artistic Path
Upon arrival, you will have the choice to create one of two distinct styles:
American Folk Art (AFA): Capture the warmth, tradition, and storied patterns of classic Americana through soft, luminous tints.
Abstract Composition: Explore the subtle magic of color fields, layering, and the powerful relationship between shape and mood.
✨ What You Will Explore
Known for his exceptional technique and thoughtful instruction 🎭, Bob provides a rare opportunity to learn how to balance softness and strength. During this engaging workshop, you will:
✅ Learn Foundational and Advanced Tinting Techniques to create soft, glowing color fields regardless of your chosen style.
✅ Master Color Relationships to build depth, atmosphere, and an integrated mood 🎨.
✅ Understand Compositional Balance whether working with the structured charm of Folk Art or the fluid nature of Abstraction ☁️.
✅ Receive Personalized, One-on-One Feedback in an intimate studio setting 🖌️.
💡 Event Details
Whether you're an experienced painter or just starting your artistic journey 🧑🎨, this workshop invites you to elevate your craft and gain new confidence in your use of color.
Intimate Learning: Space is strictly limited to 8 students to ensure everyone receives Bob's direct guidance.
Environment: Join us in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Vicinanza Studios & Gallery for a day of inspiration and community.
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from a master. Reserve your spot today and decide: will you go Folk or Abstract?
Tinting Workshop with Bob Ferrucci (Day 2)
Vicinanza Studios & Gallery is thrilled to welcome back celebrated artist Bob Ferrucci for a unique, dual-track 🎨 Tinting Workshop. This immersive experience is designed for artists of all levels who want to master the delicate art of color layering while choosing the style that speaks to them most. ✨
In this special session, Bob offers a personalized "choose your path" approach. Whether you are drawn to the charm of traditional storytelling or the emotive power of modern forms, you will learn how to breathe life into your canvas using Bob’s signature tinting methods.
🖌️ Choose Your Artistic Path
Upon arrival, you will have the choice to create one of two distinct styles:
American Folk Art (AFA): Capture the warmth, tradition, and storied patterns of classic Americana through soft, luminous tints.
Abstract Composition: Explore the subtle magic of color fields, layering, and the powerful relationship between shape and mood.
✨ What You Will Explore
Known for his exceptional technique and thoughtful instruction 🎭, Bob provides a rare opportunity to learn how to balance softness and strength. During this engaging workshop, you will:
✅ Learn Foundational and Advanced Tinting Techniques to create soft, glowing color fields regardless of your chosen style.
✅ Master Color Relationships to build depth, atmosphere, and an integrated mood 🎨.
✅ Understand Compositional Balance whether working with the structured charm of Folk Art or the fluid nature of Abstraction ☁️.
✅ Receive Personalized, One-on-One Feedback in an intimate studio setting 🖌️.
💡 Event Details
Whether you're an experienced painter or just starting your artistic journey 🧑🎨, this workshop invites you to elevate your craft and gain new confidence in your use of color.
Intimate Learning: Space is strictly limited to 8 students to ensure everyone receives Bob's direct guidance.
Environment: Join us in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Vicinanza Studios & Gallery for a day of inspiration and community.
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from a master. Reserve your spot today and decide: will you go Folk or Abstract?
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
⚾ Baseball Poetry: An Open Mic Event
⚾ Baseball Poetry: An Open Mic Event
Join us for our annual, highly anticipated Baseball Poetry event! Woodbury, Connecticut Poet Laureate Sandy Carlson returns as host for this unique celebration of baseball, writing, and community.
Whether you are a seasoned poet, a casual writer, or simply a fan of the game, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to share and enjoy creative works inspired by the crack of the bat, the smell of the grass, or the nostalgia of summer.
Featuring:
This year's event will once again feature powerful readings from three distinguished poets:
Sara deBeer (West Hartford)
Bill Moorhead (Guilford)
Ed Dzitko (Woodbury)
Open Mic & Community Reading
The evening includes an Open Mic session where you are invited to share your own baseball-themed poems or writings. We will also host a special community reading of the classic poem, Casey at the Bat, inviting all attendees to participate!
Come support the arts, celebrate the spirit of the game, and enjoy an evening of unique storytelling!
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
The Vagina Monologues
The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play by V (formerly Eve Ensler) that explores women's sexuality, experiences, and the social stigma surrounding them through a series of monologues based on interviews with hundreds of women. Premiering in 1996, the work is celebrated for its humor, poignancy, and frank discussion of topics like abuse, body image, and pleasure, and it inspired the global activist movement V-Day to end violence against women and girls.
For tickets, go to https://vmonologues0426.eventbrite.com
Mixed Media Wall Hanging Workshop - Day 1
Register here!
Amy Birch has loved art ever since she was a little girl. She considers herself a ‘jack of
all trades’, as she has dabbled in many types of art and materials throughout her life.
As a child, Amy taught herself how to crochet and created outfits for her Barbie dolls
without using any patterns! She also created her own paper dolls with custom outfits.
In high school, she entered three art contests and was awarded first place for all three.
During her early adult years, she specialized in making detailed drawings of people’s
homes and was even commissioned by a realtor to draw a home to present to the new
homeowner as a closing gift.
Amy became an avid scrapbooker, but her goal was to create designs that showcased
single artistic photos as individual works of art. It was then when she fell in love with
using a variety of materials in her work (mixed media), including crochet. In 2008, Amy
entered a contest held by Close to My Heart (a paper craft company) where she
submitted an artistic layout and won the grand prize out of 3000 entries!
Amy enjoys teaching and has experience instructing small classes at local scrapbook
stores. She also tutored Spanish, Math, and Chemistry during her undergraduate
years.
Amy Birch is the proud mother of two adult daughters and resides in New Fairfield,
Connecticut. She has been working full-time as an analytical chemist at Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. for 25 years. Amy’s goal is to transition to the art world
once she retires.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Please join Amy as she teaches you how to make an 8” x 8” mixed media work of art.
Students will use many materials to create their design: a variety of papers, fiber,
acrylic paint, ink, markers, dimensional paint, etc.
Amy will show you how to:
Decoupage: the art of decorating surfaces by applying layers of paper and paint
and then coating with lacquer. We will use Mod Podge as an adhesive/lacquer.
Create your own dimensional embellishments using Glossy Accents by Ranger
Just have fun and feel free as you create this project. Perfection in art does not
exist. Embrace what you perceive as imperfections to make a piece that is
uniquely YOU!
Register here!
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
Mixed Media Wall Hanging Workshop - Day 2
Amy Birch has loved art ever since she was a little girl. She considers herself a ‘jack of
all trades’, as she has dabbled in many types of art and materials throughout her life.
As a child, Amy taught herself how to crochet and created outfits for her Barbie dolls
without using any patterns! She also created her own paper dolls with custom outfits.
In high school, she entered three art contests and was awarded first place for all three.
During her early adult years, she specialized in making detailed drawings of people’s
homes and was even commissioned by a realtor to draw a home to present to the new
homeowner as a closing gift.
Amy became an avid scrapbooker, but her goal was to create designs that showcased
single artistic photos as individual works of art. It was then when she fell in love with
using a variety of materials in her work (mixed media), including crochet. In 2008, Amy
entered a contest held by Close to My Heart (a paper craft company) where she
submitted an artistic layout and won the grand prize out of 3000 entries!
Amy enjoys teaching and has experience instructing small classes at local scrapbook
stores. She also tutored Spanish, Math, and Chemistry during her undergraduate
years.
Amy Birch is the proud mother of two adult daughters and resides in New Fairfield,
Connecticut. She has been working full-time as an analytical chemist at Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. for 25 years. Amy’s goal is to transition to the art world
once she retires.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Please join Amy as she teaches you how to make an 8” x 8” mixed media work of art.
Students will use many materials to create their design: a variety of papers, fiber,
acrylic paint, ink, markers, dimensional paint, etc.
Amy will show you how to:
Decoupage: the art of decorating surfaces by applying layers of paper and paint
and then coating with lacquer. We will use Mod Podge as an adhesive/lacquer.
Create your own dimensional embellishments using Glossy Accents by Ranger
Just have fun and feel free as you create this project. Perfection in art does not
exist. Embrace what you perceive as imperfections to make a piece that is
uniquely YOU!
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music
This month’s event will not be having a featured poet and is available for open mic’ers.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music takes place every 2nd Sunday at the Gallery. Renowned poets and local talents alike will find a platform for their poetry, prose, spoken word, and acoustic performances creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and expression. By hosting these events, VSG aims to foster a sense of community and promote the art of poetry in Southbury and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, a storyteller, or simply a lover of the spoken word, mark your calendar for our open mic afternoons.
Free and open to the public (Suggested Donation)
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
Karaoke @ the Gallery
Join us at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery for our exciting Karaoke Night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to have some fun, our karaoke program is the perfect place to showcase your talent and enjoy a night of music and entertainment.
Event Highlights:
Date & Time: Every third Thursday, 6 PM - 9 PM - sign up starts at 5:30
Location: Vicinanza Studios and Gallery
Open to All: Singers of all skill levels are welcome
Wide Song Selection: From classic hits to the latest chart-toppers
Friendly Atmosphere: Supportive and lively community of music lovers
Grab your friends, pick your favorite songs, and get ready to shine under the spotlight at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery's Karaoke Night! It's the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and meet new people. See you there!
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music
This month’s event will not be having a featured poet and is available for open mic’ers.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music takes place every 2nd Sunday at the Gallery. Renowned poets and local talents alike will find a platform for their poetry, prose, spoken word, and acoustic performances creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and expression. By hosting these events, VSG aims to foster a sense of community and promote the art of poetry in Southbury and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, a storyteller, or simply a lover of the spoken word, mark your calendar for our open mic afternoons.
Free and open to the public (Suggested Donation)
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
Karaoke @ the Gallery
Join us at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery for our exciting Karaoke Night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to have some fun, our karaoke program is the perfect place to showcase your talent and enjoy a night of music and entertainment.
Event Highlights:
Date & Time: Every third Thursday, 6 PM - 9 PM - sign up starts at 5:30
Location: Vicinanza Studios and Gallery
Open to All: Singers of all skill levels are welcome
Wide Song Selection: From classic hits to the latest chart-toppers
Friendly Atmosphere: Supportive and lively community of music lovers
Grab your friends, pick your favorite songs, and get ready to shine under the spotlight at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery's Karaoke Night! It's the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and meet new people. See you there!
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
Holocaust Roundtable
Seating is limited; Registration is required! FREE Registration here!
Processing Holocaust Trauma Through the Arts: a Roundtable Discussion
Hear how creatives have processed Holocaust trauma and made their
experience of that dark period available to a broad audience through
storytelling in the media of fiction, nonfiction, and music as well as through
planning commemorative events. Discover what each of us can learn about
the past and about ourselves by experiencing the creative gifts that have
resulted from their work.
Participants:
Ed Edelson of Southbury is a former first selectman of the town and an
active member of the community. He is the author of Lois’s Story, which tells
the story of a period in 1937 when the people of Southbury rallied to reject
the Nazis who were trying to build a military training camp in the Kettletown
area. Ed has worked with Region 15 schools to have the story included in the
district’s 4th-grade curriculum, and he has organized remembrances of the
event in town and at Heritage Village.
Deborah S. Holman of Woodbury is an author, genealogist, and blogger
whose book Nothing Really Bad Will Happen, a Holocaust Story of Loss and
Legacy (2024) is the creative artifact of Holman’s research about her
grandfather and great-grandfather, who perished in the Holocaust, and her
mother and grandmother, who fled Vienna to start a new life in the U.S.
Bernard Kaplan of Sherman and Queens, New York, is a retired educator and
school administrator and an active musician. He is also the vice-president
and treasurer of the Jewish Community Center in Sherman. Kaplan wrote the
libretto Remember Warsaw with composer Roger W. Ames. Remember
Warsaw was premiered in 2011 by the Oratorio Society of Minnesota.
Bonnie Siegler is the founder and creative director of award-winning,
multi-disciplinary graphic design studio Eight and a Half. She
coauthored The American Way: A True Story of Nazi Escape, Superman,
and Marilyn Monroe (2023) with Helene Stapinski, which traces her
grandparents’ journey from Nazi Germany to New York. She is also the
author of Dear Client, a guide for people who work with creatives, and
Signs of Resistance, a history of protest in America. She taught design in
the graduate schools of Yale University and the School of Visual Arts
for many years.
Helene Stapinski is the author of three memoirs: Five-Finger Discount: A
Crooked Family History, Baby Plays Around: A Love Affair, with Music, and
Murder in Matera. Her latest book, The American Way, which she coauthored
with Bonnie Siegler, follows the life of a man who escaped Nazi Berlin with
the help of Superman’s publisher. She has written extensively for The New
York Times, for The Washington Post, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Salon,
Real Simple, New York Magazine among others.
Karaoke @ the Gallery
Join us at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery for our exciting Karaoke Night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to have some fun, our karaoke program is the perfect place to showcase your talent and enjoy a night of music and entertainment.
Event Highlights:
Date & Time: Every third Thursday, 6 PM - 9 PM - sign up starts at 5:30
Location: Vicinanza Studios and Gallery
Open to All: Singers of all skill levels are welcome
Wide Song Selection: From classic hits to the latest chart-toppers
Friendly Atmosphere: Supportive and lively community of music lovers
Grab your friends, pick your favorite songs, and get ready to shine under the spotlight at Vicinanza Studios and Gallery's Karaoke Night! It's the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and meet new people. See you there!
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
Gallery Closed for a private event
Closed but still awesome - VSG will be hosting a private murder mystery dinner - think about what you might want to do at the gallery in the future that would be interestring :-)
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)
VSG’s Second Sunday Poetry and Music
Join us for a vibrant afternoon of rhythm and verse as we welcome a cornerstone of the Connecticut poetry scene, Mark McGuire-Schwartz, the Poet Laureate of Guilford.
About Our Featured Guest
Unanimously appointed as Poet Laureate by the Guilford Board of Selectmen in 2024, Mark McGuire-Schwartz is a poet, educator, and arts advocate who believes poetry possesses the unique potential to "save the world."
Mark is the inventor of the "Seventeen"—a compelling new poetic form showcased in his book 289, a book of 17s. His creative reach extends across drama and prose, with works including the chapbook Loss and Laughs, Love and Fauna, the collection Attic Chest, and the play Meeting Arthur Miller, which was featured in the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.
With an MFA from Southern Connecticut State University and a career dedicated to the arts—including roles as the Co-President of the Guilford Poets Guild and Co-Director of the Poetry Institute-New Haven—Mark brings a wealth of experience and a famously witty perspective to the stage. His work has appeared in numerous literary journals, the Connecticut Law Journal, and, famously, "on the bottoms of rocks." Known for his belief that laughter is a gift to be shared, Mark’s readings are as intellectually stimulating as they are delightfully eccentric.
About the Event
VSG's Second Sunday Poetry and Music takes place every second Sunday at the Gallery. Renowned poets and local talents alike find a platform for their poetry, prose, spoken word, and acoustic performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and expression.
By hosting these events, VSG aims to foster a sense of community and promote the art of poetry in Southbury and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, a storyteller, or simply a lover of the spoken word, mark your calendar for our open mic afternoons.
Format:
Featured Reading: Mark McGuire-Schwartz
Open Mic: Followed by an open platform for local poets and acoustic musicians.
Admission: Free and open to the public (Suggested Donation).
Song Making Workshop
Song Making with Annie Grilli
Annie Grilli has been a singer/songwriter since childhood and has been fortunate to write and perform for many varied venues throughout her eclectic career. Some of these places include: The Bronx Zoo, Mystic Aquarium, United Nations, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Avery Fisher Hall, Lone Star Cafe, Bitter End, and Folk City. Also, Annie has toured in Switzerland, Norway, Bonaire, and Puerto Rico.
In addition to presenting an overview of basic elements and structures of music and lyrics, with examples of how each can be used to enhance the other, Annie will share tips and techniques she’s used for creating and crafting original songs. Sources of inspiration for subject matter will be explored, as well as approaches and exercises that bring a song to life in a way that best expresses what you are trying to convey.
A thought-provoking questionnaire will be sent out to attendees before the workshop and a handout with additional prompts, resources, and exercises will be provided at the end of the workshop. Music lovers of all levels are a good fit for this program. If you’ve got a heart, you’ll feel the beat.
Register here!
VSG Celebrates 2 years
Join us for a celebration!!!!!! Music, food, a $50 gift certificate raffle, and community - good vibes.
Drop-In Sunday Morning Writing
Inspiration abounds in the artwork on the walls, art books, in shared experiences with other writers, and in our everyday experience of the world around us.
Whether we write poetry or prose, it isn’t always easy to carve out time for ourselves to write. Sunday mornings provide an opportunity for writers of all skill levels and genres to simply write, and have time to share a new work or work in progress for peer review and feedback, as well as find encouragement and support to progress our own craft and our goals as fellow writers.
Come write your poems, your personal stories, your children’s stories, your memoir by joining us on Sunday mornings for guided writing prompts and focused writing time.
Writing Through Grief
Bi-weekly writing program led by author and writing coach Cindy Eastman.
This group is an extension of a workshop held in 2023 when participants expressed a desire to keep going. Research shows that writing can be a healing way to deal with challenging life situations such as loss. Grief is often experienced in community and this writing group will allow participants to explore their own writing as a path through grief. New participants welcome.
$10 per session (12 People Limit)