PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BRIDGEPORT
Winter Wonderland Walk, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Through Jan. 6. Safe, outdoor setting that includes Polar Palace, Fairy House Lane and Imagination Station, Poinsettia Pass, Winter Village Square, Snowman Park, Nutcracker Palace, Dreidel Drive, Gingerbread Boulevard, Kris Kringle Corner, Evergreen Lane, train display, custom artist and children-designed snowmen. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $15 adults, $10 children age 3-11 and seniors over 62. Children under three are free. Masks and social distancing required. Tickets at beardsleyzoo.org.
Visual Arts
“In Accordion Time, Unfolding,” show by London Calling Collective, featuring mail art in the form of poetic accordion-fold books as well as diverse digital dialogues, the show reflects the bonds between artists as individuals and as a group as they reimagine community for life during and after a pandemic, Ursa Gallery, 100 Main St. Through Feb. 12, noon- 6 p.m. ursa.gallery
“Winter Wonderland” at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Zoo grounds will have 10 one-of-akind snowpeople sculptures from local artists on display at the Zoo through March. Online public vote to choose a first, second, and third place winner with cash prizes of $250, $125, and $75 respectively. beardsleyzoo.org jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org.
“Scream and Shout,” the art of Carlos Bautista Biernnay, absurd fiber art influenced by the artist's personal reactions to events on 9/ 11 in the United States and in Chile, now online on the City Lights website. citylightsgallery.org
“Photorealism: Fixing the Fleeting Moment,” Housatonic Museum of Art on the Housatonic Community College Campus, 900 Lafayette Blvd. New exhibit on view through Dec. 2021; “The Roots of Abstraction,” exhibit on view through Aug. 31, 2021. An appointment to visit the museum is necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. Housatonic Museum of Art will also make the exhibit available as a slideshow, virtual tour and as a print-on-demand catalog. 203332-5052, housatonicmuseum.org
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo online Zoo Photography Exhibit, “Photography Goes Wild.” beardsleyzoo.org
DANBURY Visual Arts
Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is hosting an online show meant to uplift and show the strength of community members during crises of the past year. “Arts Are > Greater Than” is open to artists in Connecticut and New York. Exhibit will run through Jan. cawct.org
FAIRFIELD Holidays
F*CK OFF 2020! End of Year Review with Beecher & Joe Gerics, virtual show hosted by Fairfield Comedy Club, Dec. 30, 8 p.m. $15. fairfieldcomedyclub.com
Outdoors
Nature Walk at Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum, 1530 Bronson Road. Self-guided tour highlights some of the specimen trees and historic markers. Brochure with map available at the office kiosk or click the QR code from your smartphone to use the audio tour.
Visual Arts
“Outside” show by Art/Place members, Fairfield Theater Company building, 70 Sanford St. On view in the gallery daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. until futher notice. 203-319-1404
“Crossing the Border: The Challenging Truths of Human Migration,” Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave. Through Jan. 23. In-person exhibit browsing hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.; Fridays, 3-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. Masks and physical distancing required. 203-2590346, pequotlibrary.org
“Hiroshige I, Fuchu: The Abe River,” online viewing offered by Fairfield University Art Museum. fairfield.edu/ museum
GREENWICH Visual arts
“Tabula Rasa,” features pieces by Ben Quesnel, Greenwich Art Center's Bendheim Gallery. 299 Greenwich Ave. Through Jan. 5. Viewing hours by appointment, weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends noon-4 p.m. greenwichartscouncil.org
“MASKED/ UnMASKED,” by Serge Clement and Marina Kamena, Gilles Clement Gallery, 45, E. Putnam Ave. Through Jan. 19. Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 203-489-3556, e-mail derdos@gclementgallery.com, gclementgallery.com
“Places We Love” oil paintings by Jennifer Williams, Galerie 888, 96 Greenwich Ave. Exhibit on display through Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. galerie888.ct@gmail.com 203-8569048.
“Animal Attraction” by Heidi Johnson, Greenwich Library Flinn Gallery, 101 W. Putnam Ave. Through Jan. 6. 203-622- 7947, flinngallery.com
Historical Society Museum Gallery, 47 Strickland Road. Advance reservations are required to visit the museum galleries, and the number of visitors will be limited. Museum Store is also open. Library and Archives open by appointment only. Heirloom gardens and historic grounds open, and new docent-led Site & Landscape Tours to come. The Bush-Holley House remains closed. Reserve at greenwichhistory.org or 203-869-6899
Exhibit of children’s book illustrations from the archives of artist, illustrator, and author James Stevenson, “Fun / No Fun: Children’s Book Art,” through April 18; “She Sweeps with Many-Colored Brooms:” Paintings and Prints by Emily Mason, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. Exhibit on view through March 21; “House on the Hill: The Changing Face of the Bruce Museum,” Online version of the exhibit available at houseonthehillexhibition.com. Admission by advance reservation, with timed ticketing. Tue-Sun, 9:30-10:30 a.m. for selfselected individuals over the age of 65 or who are immunocompromised; Tue-Sun, 10:30-11:30 a.m. members. All remaining hours are unchanged. Mask or cloth face covering required. Museum store open. Online exhibits: “On the Edge of the World: Masterworks by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK-the National Gallery of Denmark,” “Under the Skin,” and “House on the Hill: The Changing Face of the Bruce Museum.” 203-869-0376, brucemuseum.org
MILFORD Holidays
“Pantochino’s Christmas Countdown,” hosted by Pantochino Productions Inc., through Dec. 24. Delivered to audiences via twenty-four daily e-mails featuring scenes, songs, stories and surprises featuring the talents of Pantochino’s musical theatre performers. $10. Register on the company’s website. pantochino.com
MYSTIC
Holiday Lights Spectacular, Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd. Through Jan. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri & Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun, 11a.m.-6 p.m. Face coverings required and social distancing is maintained in our wide open campus of stores. oldemistickvillage.com
Visual Arts
“Sailor Made: Folk Art of the Sea,” Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave. New exhibit now open, C.D. Mallory Building “A Way with Wood: Celebrating Craft,” exhibit on view in Collins Gallery. 860-572-0711, mysticseaport.org
NEW CANAAN Visual Arts
“Peter Monaghan: Fold” solo exhibit, Heather Gaudio Fine Art, 66 Elm St. Through Jan. 9. 203-801-9590, heathergaudiofineart.com
“Texture + Transparency,” virtual tours and online programming hosted by The Glass House, available on the website. theglasshouse.org
“The Golden Door,” Silvermine Gallery, 1037 Silvermine Road. Through Jan. 16. In-person viewing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Related events: Michelle Loh, New York City-based art advisor and gallery director will produce video interviews with the “Golden Door” artists that premier weekly.Schedule in advance at 203-966-9700, ext. 3, silvermineart.org
NORWALK Holidays
“Christmas Playtime at the Mansion,” Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Jan. 3. Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun noon-2 p.m. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 youth, free children (7 and under). Museum’s doll collection along with several vintage toys will be exhibited. First floor of the Mansion will feature Christmas trees decorated with period-appropriate ornaments, a dining table adorned with antique silver and china, several playful dolls and toy vignettes and Victorian gowns. Contemporary displays and trees also on display. Tours of the new exhibit will be on a limited basis due to the continued threat of COVID-19 and to achieve safe distancing measures. Tickets must be purchased online through the website. No walk-ins accepted. 203-8389799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
Visual Arts
City of Norwalk Parking Authority’s Maritime Garage Gallery is holding a virtual exhibit entitled “Splash.” Featuring artwork with pieces that bring light and energy via bright colors and dynamic composition. The exhibit will run through March 14. Artists and the public are encouraged to participate via the Gallery’s social media. 203831-9063, norwalkpark.org/public-art
“Days to Remember: Members Exhibit,” Center For Contemporary Printmaking, 299 West Ave. In-gallery through Feb 21. Related event: “William Evertson: Mythologies,” recognizes the work of member William Evertson’s woodcut prints. Free. Admittance is by timed entry. Contact CCP to reserve a timeslot at 203899-7999. E-mail: info@contemprints.org
STAMFORD Visual Arts
“BIOPHILIA: A Dialogue with Art, Nature and Science,” Museum & Nature Center’s Bendel Galleries, 151 Scofieldtown Road. Through Jan. 10. 203-977-6521, stamfordmuseum.org
“Faces of Pandemic Front Lines” presented by The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA) in collaboration with Stamford Downtown, currently offers an online gallery, and a storefront display, 170 Bedford St. csopa.org
WATERBURY Holidays
“Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish-The Musical,” virtual streaming hosted by the Palace Theater, through Dec. 27. $20 per household with the special theater promo code, $45-$60 Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Party in a Box. Purchase tickets online. 203-346-2000, palacetheaterct.org
Specials
Palace Theater introduces new streaming products: “Broadway Buzz” podcast will feature music, anecdotal information, and interviews with theatre notables. “Concert Conversations” a second podcast devoted to CT based concert musicians is set to begin airing episodes after the first of the year. To learn more about the podcasts go to palacetheaterct.org
Visual arts
Mattatuck Museum exhibits “Edward Balthazar: Urban Artist;” and “Women’s Sphere: Selections from the Collection” online until the end of the year. mattmuseum.org
WESTPORT Holidays
“A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” audio play presented by Westport Country Playhouse, in partnership with WSHU Public Radio, Dec. 26, 8 p.m. Audio play available through Jan. 3 at westportplayhouse.org
Winter Farmers’ Market, Gilbertie's Herb Gardens, 7 Sylvan Lane. Through March 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays only. westportfarmersmarket.com
Visual Arts
“Artists in Residences,” hosted by Miggs Burroughs and Westport Library Exhibit Curator Carole ErgerFass, includes twenty-four videos that provide an exclusive look inside the home studio of working Westport artists. westportlibrary.org
“World Peace Exhibit,” MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Tpke. Through Jan. 17. $10, $5 students/educators, seniors (60+), free children 12 & under, Military Personnel and Healthcare Providers with ID. 203-572-2720, mocawestport.org
“Vanishing Species Vanishing Murals,” outdoor gallery in downtown Westport. Murals on exterior walls visible to shoppers, diners, and visitors, and will depict a different endangered animal species. Locations: courtyard at Bedford Square; next to Jeera Thai on the back of Sconset Square; Post Road below Amy Simon Fine Art, and along the handicapped ramp at the front of Anthropologie. amykaplanartwork@gmail.com
“Westport In Focus,” online exhibit collaboration between the Westport Museum for History & Culture and Westport photographer Jerri Graham. The exhibit on social media platforms allows Westporters to tell their own stories about living in the town considered “ground zero” for the coronavirus epidemic in the state.
WILTON Visual Arts
Wilton Historical Society’s online show, “Citizens at Last: Hannah Ambler, Grace Schenck and the Vote”online exhibit runs through Sept. 21, 2021.
Works by Contemporary Artists of Modern Craft in celebration of the publication of their 50th catalog, Browngrotta Arts, 276 Ridgefield Road. browngrotta.com
Art in the Park Exhibit, a virtual festival hosted by Weir Farm National Historic Site. All works will be included in a virtual exhibit on Weir Farm's website. nps.gov/wefa
“Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence Reflections: Creating During the Pandemic,” video hosted by Weir Farm Art Alliance, Dec. 18. Additional episodes resuming in Jan. View all available episodes at weirfarmartalliance.org