Saturday, November 13, 2021
8:00 am to 8:45 am
Join the Urban Bike Tours group bright and early at City Lights Gallery #21A for the annual Bridgeport Art Trail bike tour. Meet up for coffee and a photo op between 8 am and 9 am at City Lights, then head out to enjoy the day on wheels.
10 am to 5 pm
Tour art studios city-wide, at 4 artists’ buildings for Open Studios at American Fabrics Arts #1, Metro Art Studios #4, NEST Arts Factory #30, and The Knowlton #28. American Fabrics Arts Building #1 has a number of events including Name Your Price, Wall of Art by Janine Brown, studio sales with Emily Larned, Ulla Surland, Linda Colletta, Holly Hawthorn, Roxy Savage, and others. The Wobbler is a sound-activated sculpture that makes Jell-O wiggle by Roxy Savage.
Showing at Metro Art Studios #4 and curated by Chris Perry, the Books on the Verge exhibit is a survey of book art made by 23 artists residing all over New England. Many of the works were created specifically for this exhibit. Some of the exhibiting artists will be speaking about their work throughout the day. And make sure to tour the three full floors of newly renovated artist studios to find some of your favorite Bridgeport artists.
ARTcade event #20A offers vintage & artisanal vendors and live music to shop by at the Arcade Mall #20. The Coral Reef Principle in an eco-art exhibit featuring work by 50 artists at URSA Gallery #20D. WPKN Radio #15 spins discs at their Vintage Vinyl sale at American Fabrics Arts Building #1.
12 pm to 3 pm
City Lights Gallery #21A has the It’s Complicated exhibit, and wax resist painting, a hands-on activity for children.
City Lights Vintage #21B holds their Seasonal Sale and a Sit and Sew.
The Freeman Center’s #24 open house from 11 am to 5 pm features Black Life Matters photography by Chefren Gray.
Make an appointment between 12 pm and 5 pm at the Bridgeport History Center #9 to view Bridgeport postcards and photographs, featuring the postcard art of Steve Gerber, and items of interest from the collections.
12 pm to 6 pm
At Gallery 9104 #6 view the gallery and studio of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller and master teacher specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage.
1 pm to 3pm
See demos at the NEST Art Factory #30, including glass blowing, belly dancing, and puppet storytelling for children of all ages.
1:30 pm
For children of all ages and cultures, don’t miss Djeli Village, folkloric storytelling with puppets, by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo at 1:30 pm.
2:15 pm to 3:15 p.m
Join the Viewers’ Talk at City Lights Gallery #21A. Curator Suzanne Kachmar and storyteller Nina Lesiga host a community conversation with viewers and visitors discussing what they see in the art on view. Art is interactive and viewers are encouraged to be actively involved in what the art is expressing, this breaks with the tradition of an artists’ talk, where the artists lead the conversation.
3 pm to 4 pm
Bridgeport Film Fest #29B is screening short films, Curator’s Choice, from 3 pm to 4 pm at the NEST Arts Factory #30.
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
NBALAB’s #26 open house and presentation with artist/designer/entrepreneur Billi Kid. Learn about how NBALAB supports young entrepreneurs and see a variety of cutting-edge brand concepts and works by popular street artists.
4 pm to 6 pm
P-ART-Y at the NEST Arts Factory #30. View a building full of art and enjoy live music by the Latin Americana ensemble with Rick Reyes, Dick Neal, and friends with reception bites and drinks.
6 pm to 8 pm
URSA Gallery #20D, has special Bridgeport Art Trail hours from 6 pm to 8 pm for The Coral Reef Principle group exhibit, featuring art that addresses global climate change and associated economic and social justice issues.
7:30 to ? pm
Damon Wayans Jr. performs at downtown’s Stress Factory Comedy Club #13, starting at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
At 8 pm enjoy a Chicago tribute show with Connecticut Transit Authority at the Bijou Theatre #14, Dragonfly Poetry Exchange Online Program #21A hosted by Shanna Melton, the Greater Bridgeport Symphony #29A at the Klein Auditorium #29, or BPT Creates’ #20G 8-year anniversary party.
Sunday, November 14, 2021
10 am to 5 pm
Tour art studios city-wide, at 4 artists’ buildings for Open Studios, American Fabrics Arts #1, Metro Art Studios #4, NEST Arts Factory #30, and The Knowlton #28 throw open their doors for the public.
Open just one day a week, Mongers Market #31 is a vast warehouse of vintage, antique, and artisanal vendors, including furniture, lighting, architectural elements, and clothing. Rummage through an extensive inventory of salvaged industrial and antique items.
Showing at Metro Art Studios #4 and curated by Chris Perry, the Books on the Verge exhibit is a survey of book art made by 23 artists residing all over New England. Many of the works were created specifically for this exhibit. Some of the exhibiting artists will be speaking about their work throughout the day. And make sure to tour the three full floors of newly renovated artist studios to find some of your favorite Bridgeport artists.
In addition to open studios, American Fabrics Arts Building #1 artists also have a number of studio sales, including Name Your Price, Wall of Art by Janine Brown and Emily Larned, Ulla Surland, Linda Colletta, Holly Hawthorn, and others.
The Wobbler installation by Roxy Savage at American Fabrics Arts Building #1. The Wobbler is a sound-activated sculpture that makes Jell-O wiggle. Roxanne’s studio sale includes art, art supplies, art books.
11 am to 3 pm
City Lights Gallery #21A exhibits It’s Complicated and URSA Gallery #20D shows The Coral Reef Principle, an eco-art exhibit featuring 50 artists.
12 pm to 3 pm
At noon at the Bijou Theatre #14 there’s Inheriting the Well a play reading by Lisa McCree, directed by Jan Mason.
City Lights Vintage #21B holds their Seasonal Sale.
Art for Everyone at The Knowlton #28 is a laser-guided live art experience, painters of all ages welcome.
12 pm to 5 pm
WPKN Radio #15 spins discs at their Vintage Vinyl sale at American Fabrics Arts Building #1.
12 to 6 pm
At Gallery 9104 #6 view the gallery and studio of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller, artist and master teacher specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage.
1 pm to 3 pm
Berlinetta Brewing Beer Brunch and Art, we figured it out, we found an art event that pleases everyone, art lovers and beer lovers. Breaking the wine and cheese reception model, Berlinetta Brewing and the Bridgeport Art Trail #21 host a Beer Brunch and Artist Talk with renowned artist Tom Sanford, whose painting at Berlinetta enshrines Cliff from Cheers a.k.a. Bridgeport’s John Ratzenberger as the Patron Saint of Beer, or at least Berlinetta’s awesome Czech-style Pilsner. Meet the artist, enjoy his sardonic humor and R. Crumb aesthetic while enjoying good beer and good food. Berlinetta is located at 90 Golden Hill Street.
3 pm to 4 pm
Bridgeport Film Fest #29B is screening short films, Curator’s Choice, from 3 pm to 4 pm at the NEST Arts Factory #30.
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Storytelling at the Bijou Theatre #14. Don’t miss this year’s version of PechaKucha storytelling. Catered food for sale will be available, by Chef Rachel.
8 pm to 9:30 pm
The amazing Ken Butler closes the BAT weekend at the Bijou Theatre #14 with an astonishing musical performance on instruments he’s constructed from discarded objects. He has performed on TV and arts centers, including the Jay Leno show and Lincoln Center. The Village Voice calls Ken “a crazy instrument builder who can get virtuoso riffs from anything.”