Area Art Organizations to Offer Winter Wonders

While art happenings in North Branford proper might be limited, nearby communities have plenty to offer local residents who want to try their hand at blacksmithing or sketching, purchase the work of local artists, or catch eclectic folk music shows. Following is a rundown of upcoming area arts offerings. If you live in or near North Branford and know of a local artist or organization with a story to tell, please contact North Branford Patch Editor Brendan Cox at brendan.cox@patch.com.

Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford

The Guilford Art Center will offer more than 100 art classes in various mediums and for various age groups throughout the months of January and February. Classes are filling up now, and information is available at the center's website.

Offerings include introductory and intermediate classes in painting, photography, sculpting, drawing, weaving, beading, and even blacksmithing and stained glass. Tuition and fees are cheaper for members but range from less than $100 to more than $200.

Branford Folk Music Society, 1009 Main Street, Branford

The Branford Folk Music Society sponsors a monthly folk-music coffeehouse September through May in the auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Branford on the town green. Admission is $15 ($12 for members) and $5 for children ages 12 and under.

On Dec. 11, the society will host a performance of Grammy Award-winning Stacy Phillips and Paul Howard. The duo plays Americana and world music and draw influence from a wide variety of musical styles from bluegrass to swing to Caribbean and Hawaiian music to klezmer.

On Jan. 8, the society will host Mike Kachuba, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who carries on the tradition of contemporary folk artists such as Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Kachuba plays guitar, squeezebox, and mountain dulcimer, among other instruments.

Branford Artists Cooperative, 211 Montowese Street, Branford

On Friday, Dec. 17 (6-9 p.m.) and Saturday, Dec. 18 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) the Branford Artists Cooperative hill host the Holiday Sale with 3 @ BAC featuring the work of three local artists. Kristin Merrill is a jewelry, wood, and mixed-media sculpture artist from Branford who specializes in natural materials. Owen Sea Luckey, also of Branford, is a textile artist specializing in knitting and sewing. Laura Lyons is a fiber artist.