At the Connecticut River Museum, Essex:

Take a cruise! The Connecticut River Museum hosts the Onrust, a re-creation of the vessel Adriaen Block built in 1614. Now in its fifth year on the docks, Onrust is available for public cruises.

Built over several years in upstate New York using traditional plans, the Onrust is a unique ship that serves to educate and entertain visitors curious about the age of exploration, the fur trade, and our early colonial history. River cruises are offered Thursdays through Sundays at 2:00, 4:00 and a sunset cruise at 6. During September, sunset cruises are Swallow Cruises! 

Saturday, September 18th, 10am to 1pm: The Museum is holding a “Block” Party in honor of Adriaen Block. Enjoy dockside tours of the Onrust, shipbuilding activities, lawn games and Stroopwafels, a traditional Netherlands cookie. Discounted admission: $5.

At the Lyman Allyn, through October 24th:  Forest Dreaming/Sculptures and Paintings by Ana Flores

A special exhibition of sculpture and works on paper by sculptor and ecological designer Ana Flores. The show will include her recent outdoor sculpture, “Forest Dialogue.” These bronze chairs turning back into trees, invite the public to sit and meditate on our connection to the natural world. A series of outdoor events are scheduled using the chairs as an invitation to dialogue and ponder the connection between art and the environment. Find out more:  https://www.lymanallyn.org/forest-dreaming/

Ana Flores, Forest Dialogue, bronze. Site: Wave Hill Gardens, NY. Photo: Stefan Hagan.

At the Benton Museum, though October 16th: Immigrant Eyes by Joe Standart

This exhibition consists of a gallery installation in the Benton Museum featuring large scale photographs of eyes (previously exhibited in store fronts in downtown New London in 2016) as well as an outdoor exhibition of large-scale portraits of recent refugees and immigrants (these works were exhibited in 2018 on the New Haven Green). Both projects are part of Standart’s Portrait of America series which aims to “stimulate awareness, overcome indifference, and encourage people to build a respectful multicultural society”. Through these works, the artist aims to “highlight the inner dignity each individual possesses, transcending politics and shifting the conversation about immigrant, dreamer, refugee, and citizen identities” (PortraitofAmerica.org).  https://benton.uconn.edu/immigrant-eyes-photographs-by-joe-standart/

At the Lyme Art Association, 11/19, 2021 – 1/2, 2022 

The natural world of the Connecticut River Valley has seen great changes over the past four centuries. The Connecticut River Museum is partnering with the Lyme Art Association for an exhibit that uses art as our guide to the changes in our natural world. Hands on the Land: Art and the Environment in the Connecticut River Valley is a collaborative exhibit showcasing 40 works of art that speak to human impact on the land. Visit Lyme Art Association.

Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Announces Continuing Education Programs for Fall 2021

The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts has announced a full schedule of Continuing Education programs open to the community, beginning September 27^th. Both part-time and full-time programs and classes are available in in Drawing, Life Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Oil Painting, Content and Composition, and Figure Painting. The 11-week trimester, part-time classes are open to the community throughout the year, attracting students of all ages and abilities who will benefit from skills-based art instruction, led by professional artists. Find out more here: https://lymeacademy.edu/continuing-education/