Community Calendar

The Norman Rockwell Museum is honored to present a rare series of early twentieth century lighting advertisements by Norman Rockwell and fellow Golden Age illustrators Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell, Stanley Arthurs, Worth Brehm, and Charles Chambers created for Edison Mazda Lamps, a division of the General Electric Company. These luminous, richly painted works were widely circulated in published advertisements through the 1920s and are on loan to the Museum for the first time through the generosity of GE Aerospace.

Twelfth Annual Berkshire Pottery Tour
A Self-Guided Studio Tour
Sept. 27
Free
Location:
West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Richmond, Monterey, Great Barrington, Housatonic (Map available on Website)

The 12th Annual Berkshire Pottery Tour is self-guided studio tour in a geographic loop that brings visitors through Richmond, West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Housatonic, Great Barrington, and Monterey. Participants can begin the tour at any studio. A detailed map and video previews of several studios are available on the Berkshire Pottery Tour website.

Maps will also be available at each studio, and orange and white Berkshire Pottery Tour road signs will mark key turns on the weekend of the event. Studios will be open from 10 am to 5 pm each day. Admission is free, and families are welcome. The potters will be available to talk about their clay work and/or to demonstrate techniques. With seven host studios and eleven guest potters, there will be a wide variety of styles shown and many pots for sale.

Look for the distinctive orange and white Berkshire Pottery Tour signs at key turns on the weekend of the Tour. A video introduction is also available on the pottery tour website:
www.berkshirepotterytour.com. For more information please contact Lorimer Burns, lorimer@berkshireartcenter.org, 413-717-0798.

This hands-on workshop offers an opportunity to learn the techniques behind these iconic oval boxes, renowned for their minimalist elegance, functional simplicity, and exceptional durability. This workshop is 2 days. September 27th & 28th, 10am – 4pm. You must attend both classes to complete your box.

What You’ll Experience:

● A Journey into Shaker History: Begin with an introduction to the Shaker communities, their philosophy of “beauty in utility” and the historical context that gave rise to their distinctive furniture and household items, including the beloved Shaker box.

● Mastering Traditional Techniques: You’ll learn the authentic methods used to create Shaker boxes. This includes:

Wood Preparation: Selecting and preparing the thin strips of hardwood (often maple or cherry) that form the sides of the box.
Bending and Shaping: Utilizing steam and specialized forms to achieve the characteristic oval shape of the box and its lid.
Swallowtail Finger Joints: Precisely cutting and fitting the iconic “swallowtail” or “fingers” that secure the bent wood, a hallmark of Shaker craftsmanship.
Coppering: Attaching the lid and securing the joints with traditional copper tacks, adding both strength and aesthetic appeal.
Finishing: Discussion of various finishing options.
● Your Own Handcrafted Keepsake: By the end of the class, you will have constructed your very own authentic Shaker box, a testament to your newfound skills and a beautiful, functional piece to cherish for years to come. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous detail and thoughtful design that went into every Shaker creation.

No prior woodworking experience is necessary, Familiarity with basic hand tools is helpful, but not necessary. All tools and materials will be provided. Just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

Join us and discover the timeless art of Shaker box making – a craft that embodies beauty, utility, and enduring tradition.

“Once a Tree: Continuity, Creativity, and Connection” explores the deep-rooted significance of trees in Haudenosaunee culture, tradition, and creative expression. Featuring the work of 42 artists and more than 100 objects—including decorative and utilitarian baskets, cradleboards, snowshoes, ladles, lacrosse sticks, toys, instruments, carvings, and sleds—this exhibition highlights the important relationship between nature and artistry. Selected from the Museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition was created with guidance from curatorial consultants Terry Chrisjohn III (Oneida), Preston Jacobs (Mohawk), and Sheila Ransom (Mohawk).

"Separated but Unbroken: The Haudenosaunee Boarding School Experience" explores the lasting impact of the Thomas Indian School, once located on the Cattaraugus Reservation south of Buffalo, NY, and The Mohawk Institute near Branford, Ontario. These institutions, which enrolled a significant number of Haudenosaunee students, were part of a larger system that sought to erase Indigenous identities while deeply shaping the lives of those who endured them. Co-curated by Erin Keaton (Mohawk), the exhibition sheds light on Haudenosaunee resilience.

6 Saturdays,

September 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 2025

10 am - 11am

Grades 3-5

Limit 10 students

In this fun and creative class, students will dive into painting, drawing, and printmaking. They'll learn how to build exciting compositions, experiment with layers and textures, and express their ideas through art. Whether they're capturing the world around them or inventing new ones, students will grow their skills and confidence as young artists—all while having a great time making art with their peers!

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Please register at least a week in advance to guarantee your spot. Scholarship availability closes 2 weeks prior to the start of class.

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We believe in access to art education for all. It takes the whole community to generate the equity our pay-what-you-can tuition generates. Behind the scenes, we work to bridge the financial gap between what our students can pay and what we need to sustain our programs. Please consider carefully before you use our discount codes.

Scholarship Codes:
For 25% discount use code "25OFF

For 50% discount use code "50OFF"

For75% discount use code "75OFF"

This economic justice map from The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice by Alexis J. Cunningfolk is useful to assess where you may fall on the financial spectrum of pay what you can.

To request 100% off tuition, please contact chris@mkad.art

Join Ranger Rachel for an introduction to field nature journaling and a guided walk around Lincoln Pond meant to improve your relationship with the natural world. While you walk, you will learn about the Preserve's diverse flora and fauna while you record your observations of what you feel, hear, smell, and see.

Please bring a journal and a pen. Dress appropriately for walking in the woods. This is an event for ages 15 and up.

Registration required; event capped at 15. Suggested donation $5; current members free

Columbia NE Repair Cafe Brings Expert Bicycle Repair Services to East Chatham Community
EAST CHATHAM, NY (September 2025) — The Columbia NE Repair Cafe rolls into East Chatham on Saturday, September 27th from 10 AM to 2 PM at [15 Frisbee St- East Chatham, NY 12060], showcasing comprehensive repair services and highlighting expert bicycle repair and maintenance with master bicycle fixer Moy.
This upcoming event will highlight the expertise of volunteer Moy, a dedicated bicycle repair specialist with over 20 years of experience who has been passionate about bike repair since his high school days. Moy's extensive knowledge spans from assembling high-end racing bikes to performing routine maintenance and adjustments on all types of bicycles, making cycling accessible and affordable for community members.
"I love working on bikes. Whether assembling or repairing a bike, working on each one is a satisfying, centering experience for me," says Moy. "I keep coming back to the repair cafes because they are welcoming, fun communities. It's a great way to keep important skills in the limelight and carry them forward for future generations. And who doesn't love getting their old bike working again?"
Beyond repair work, Moy regularly fixes up donated bicycles so they can be given to children and community members who need reliable transportation, embodying the repair cafe's mission of keeping valuable items in circulation rather than letting them go to waste.
"Moy exemplifies the heart of our repair cafe mission," said organizer Karla Kavanaugh "The Bike Guys are truly local bike heroes, and their commitment to the Town of New Lebanon's Bicycle Recycling Program shows how skilled volunteers can make a real difference in serving their community."

The East Chatham Repair Cafe will offer comprehensive repair services provided by local volunteer "fixers," including:
Bicycle repair and maintenance • General repair • Hand sewing • Machine sewing • Electrical repairs • Woodwork • Gluing • Small appliance repair • Gardening consultation

Moy's bicycle repair station will handle everything from basic tune-ups and brake adjustments to more complex repairs, breathing new life into bikes that might otherwise be discarded. Working alongside fellow volunteers Larry and Chris—affectionately known as the "Bike Guys"—this dedicated team brings their expertise from the New Lebanon Community Center to East Chatham. Their collaborative volunteer work demonstrates how expert skills can extend the useful life of bicycles, reducing waste while promoting sustainable transportation options throughout Columbia County.

The Columbia NE Repair Cafe is a collaboration of Climate Smart Communities including Austerlitz, Chatham, New Lebanon, Canaan, and the Village of East Nassau. These grassroots events bring together diverse skills to solve everyday problems while strengthening community bonds and promoting reuse through repair.
As with all Repair Cafe events, services are free and open to all, with a two-item limit per person. Visitors are reminded that clothing or textiles to be mended must be clean. Bicycle owners should bring their bikes ready for assessment and bring any known issues to Moy's attention.

For more information about what items can be repaired, find the Columbia NE Repair Cafe on Facebook or email columbianerepaircafe@gmail.com.

About Columbia NE Repair Cafe: The Columbia NE Repair Cafe is part of the global Repair Cafe movement that began in the Netherlands in 2009. These community events bring together volunteer fixers who share their skills and knowledge to help neighbors repair broken household items instead of discarding them.

Media Contact: Cara Humphrey, chumphrey@austerlitzny.com

Join us at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 27 from Noon – 5PM for our annual Autumn Faire. There will over a dozen Vendors and Craft booths, Bake Sale, Mum Sale, Fresh Produce, Dine in/Take out dinners. From noon – 2pm there will be Blessing of the Animals and Free Face Painting for children. Plenty of free parking!

6 sessions:
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 2025
Saturdays, 12-1:30 pm,
Limit 8 students
Ages 10 - 13

Join our drawing class for aspiring young artists and explore the FUNdamentals of drawing! The class will cover traditional drawing techniques and materials, including pencils, colored pencils, charcoal, pens, and other dry media. Students will practice and learn various drawing skills, such as still life, architectural drawing, and portraiture. Get ready to enhance your drawing skills and unleash your creativity!

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Please register at least a week in advance to guarantee your spot. Scholarship availability closes 2 weeks prior to the start of class.

-----------------------------------------

We believe in access to art education for all. It takes the whole community to generate the equity our pay-what-you-can tuition generates. Behind the scenes, we work to bridge the financial gap between what our students can pay and what we need to sustain our programs. Please consider carefully before you use our discount codes.

Scholarship Codes:
For 25% discount use code "25OFF

For 50% discount use code "50OFF"

For75% discount use code "75OFF"

This economic justice map from The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice by Alexis J. Cunningfolk is useful to assess where you may fall on the financial spectrum of pay what you can.

To request 100% off tuition, please contact chris@mkad.art

6 sessions:
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 2025
Saturdays, 12-1:30 pm,
Limit 8 students
Ages 10 - 13

Join our drawing class for aspiring young artists and explore the FUNdamentals of drawing! The class will cover traditional drawing techniques and materials, including pencils, colored pencils, charcoal, pens, and other dry media. Students will practice and learn various drawing skills, such as still life, architectural drawing, and portraiture. Get ready to enhance your drawing skills and unleash your creativity!

-----------------------------------------

Please register at least a week in advance to guarantee your spot. Scholarship availability closes 2 weeks prior to the start of class.

-----------------------------------------

We believe in access to art education for all. It takes the whole community to generate the equity our pay-what-you-can tuition generates. Behind the scenes, we work to bridge the financial gap between what our students can pay and what we need to sustain our programs. Please consider carefully before you use our discount codes.

Scholarship Codes:
For 25% discount use code "25OFF

For 50% discount use code "50OFF"

For75% discount use code "75OFF"

This economic justice map from The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice by Alexis J. Cunningfolk is useful to assess where you may fall on the financial spectrum of pay what you can.

To request 100% off tuition, please contact chris@mkad.art