11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039. Phone: 860-435-3775.

The ninth season of the Hotchkiss School Summer Portals Chamber Music Series opens with its  first concert  July 2, 2012 at 7:30PM in the Katherine M. Elfers Hall at the Esther Eastman Music Center.  Portals music artistic director Melvin Chen and the 2012 Portals resident quartet, three of whom are new to the program will perform works by Gideon Klein, Clara Schumann and Antonin Dvooak.  Admission to the concerts are free.  Check the website for further concerts during the month of July.

736 Nod Hill Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877. Phone: 203-834-1896.

Wilton and Ridgefield, Connecticut: In the summer of 2011, Weir Farm National Historic Site commissioned New York photographer and former Artist-in-Residence Xiomáro to create a photographic record of the interiors of the Weir House, Weir Studio, and Young Studio. Xiomáro was tasked with documenting the present state of the buildings' interiors, prior to the completion of the four-phase restoration project now underway. A selection of these images comprise the new exhibit on display at Weir Farm National Historic Site titled Weir Was Here – Secret Rooms, Doors, and Windows, offering visitors a small glimpse into the historic structures while they remain closed to the public. All three buildings are currently empty, allowing Xiomáro the chance to focus on the details of these spaces -- features that might otherwise go unnoticed in a fully furnished setting. This is the first artistic collection of photographs of the building interiors in the site's history, and captures the beauty and texture of these intimate spaces. "There is a mystery and secrecy to these relatively empty spaces," Xiomáro explained, noting how "the same eyes and hands that created works of Impressionism also unlocked these doors and opened the shutters to take in the inspiring landscape framed by the windows." Weir Was Here – Secret Rooms, Doors, and Windows can be viewed in the Burlingham House Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., now through March 31, 2012. From April 1st through May 31st, the exhibit can be viewed Thursdays – Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Xiomáro will present five gallery talks about his photographs titled In the Footsteps of Weir from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the following weekends: Saturday, January 7, Sunday, February 5
Sunday, March 4, Sunday, April 1 and Sunday, May 6. There is no fee to participate in the gallery talks, but registration is required. For more information on the exhibit, or to register for one of the gallery talks, please call (203) 834-1896 x12.

855 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790. Phone: 860-626-6802.

Silver Linings: Literal/Metaphorical, is on exhibit at the University of Connecticut Torrington campus’ Brick Wall Space Gallery and the Whitson Gallery. The exhibit and event are free and open to the public. Banjie Getsinger Nicholas’ artistic focus is in nature, and she captures exquisite details of trees, mosses, insects, and birds. She says, “Birds, especially young birds raised during my 20 years as a wild bird rehabilitator, feathers, nests and eggs are frequent symbols appearing in my work.”

25 Hopkins Road, New Preston, CT 06777. Phone: 860-868-7954.

Led by Certified Sommelier (Guild of Master Sommeliers) Sally Camm the Wine Discovery Series will explore the world of wine in a six week intensive class starting on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 6-7:30 pm at Hopkins Vineyard. Participants will learn about: How wine is made;  Different  grape varietals and styles of wine;  The Major Wine Making Regions in the World;  The basics of wine and food pairing. Who is this class for? Wine Discovery is for anyone interested in developing more in depth knowledge and appreciation of wines from around the world. Also individuals working in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors may grow their skills in serving wine and pairing wines with various foods as a way of better marketing themselves in the food industry. Are there more advanced classes available? Yes. Following the beginner intensive there will be intermediate and advanced sessions that will allow for more detailed and in depth exploration of wine - looking more closely at countries, regions and local wine making practices. These classes will focus more on identification of wines from specific countries and regions within those countries and pairing wines with regional and local cuisines. Cost: Wines Discovery Six Week Intensive is $210 for the six classes or $45 per individual class. Cost covers handouts and tasting materials. Dates: March 24 and 31, 2012; April 14, 21, 28, 2012, May 5, 2012.
All classes are on Saturdays from 6-7:30 pm at Hopkins Vineyard.

51 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT 06880. Phone: 203-2227070.

On display in the WAC Project Space - view skethes from the newly published book, "A Young Person's Guide to Paris,", written and illustated by Susam Mally.  A member of the Wesport Arts Center for ove 40 years.  For more information call.  Gallery hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. noon - 4.

38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT 06793. Phone: 860-868-0518.

Horticulture and Gathering were not just for nourishment. Native American gardens and fields also yielded raw materials to make baskets, bags, toys and a variety of useful and decorative items. The artifacts on display are from all Across America.

38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT 06793. Phone: 860-868-0518.

IAIS is proud to highlight the basketry of Liz Charlebois, Abenaki for the months of April through June. She has been making sweetgrass and black ash fancy baskets for ten years, learning as an apprentice with Master Abenaki basket maker Jeanne Brink. In keeping the tradition alive, Liz has begun teaching her young daughter the craft.

Upland Rd, New Milford, CT Phone: (860) 355-0300.

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 3 to 5 p.m.. Artists Gallery Talk: Sun., May 2, 2 p.m. Artists showing include: Jennifer Sarabella, constructed chairs, Jill Sarver, oil painting,, Joel Spector, works on paper, and Margaret Zeitlin, collage.

703 Kent Road, Gaylordsville, CT 06755. Phone: 203-746-5533.

A Wine and Art Exhibit at Peter Lawrence Gallery will feature Layered Expressions works on paper by Pamela Hochstetter and Ellen Lazarus from April 13, 2012 thru May 6, 2012.  Come tast the fine specialty wines of White Silo Farm and Winery in Sherman on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 3-5PM.

100 Maple St, Bristol, CT Phone: 860-583-6070.

TV, War & Cinderella reviews the events and trends of the early 1950s and its impact on the clock and watch industry, as well as the community of Bristol.  Content will extend from the close of World War II up to the mid-1950s. Members of ACWM are invited to a special opening reception of the exhibit TV, War, & Cinderella between the hours of 6:00 and 7:30pm on Friday, April 13th.  See the exhibit before the general public does!