1720 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
203-690-1335
nestbpt@gmail.com
nestartsfactory.com
Facebook/Instagram: /nestartsfactory
Artists of The Nest Arts Factory
Welcome to the NEST Arts Factory, the long-standing cornerstone of the West Side arts scene. Established over 30 years ago, the NEST is located in a historic piano factory. It serves as the artistic home for over 30 artists and musicians. From glass blowing and abstract painting to landscapes and mixed media, the NEST has welcomed several new artists to its creative community. Come and discover what’s new at the NEST! During the annual Bridgeport Art Trail, the artists and musicians of the NEST will host open studios and a gallery show. Visitors are invited to stop by, ask questions, and see/hear how the art is created. In addition, there will be live music, art demonstrations, and much more. Free onsite and street parking is available.
Open Studios, art sale, live music, hands-on activities, great family fun! 
The weekend program offers several hands-on, interactive programs; many are great family-fun activities. Artists’ work of all sizes and materials will be on sale, just in time for the holidays. Also view the work of guest artists, including the Black Rock Art Guild #36, the Bridgeport Portrait Project, and artists in the exhibit “Reconstructed/Deconstructed Still Lifes.” Activities taking place throughout the NEST include busker-style music, hands-on art activities like aromatherapy, mosaic, demos of the ‘lamp work’ technique of glass-blowing, and screenings from the Bridgeport
Film Fest #28.
Live music all day Saturday, November 12, 2022
Enjoy a sample the sounds of the eclectic NEST musicians and guests.
11:30-12:45 Edwin Rivera, Latin vocals and acoustic guitar
1:00-2:15 Steve Clarke Jazz on electric bass
2:30-3:45 Dan Tressler folk guitar, violon and vocals
4:00-5:00 Steven Gilbert acoustic guitar
6:30-9:00 The Swamp Hogs, rock n’ roll
Left Dan Tressler plays the Nest Sat 11/12/22
Saturday, November 12; 11 am to 5 pm/Sunday, November 13; 11 am to 5 pm
Meet the NEST artists, tour their studios, and experience the variety of art and music created in this collaborative space. The artists will have work of all sizes for sale, just in time for the holidays.
Exhibit: Reconstructed/Deconstructed Still Lifes
Saturday, November 12; 11 am to 5 pm / Sunday, November 13; 11 am to 5 pm
Art will be on view throughout the building along with this exhibit featuring NEST Arts Factory artists Ellie Mesa, Strive Glass, Stella Whittle, and invited artists Maralyn Adlin, Larry Morse, Miranda Updike showing paintings and 3D art, whimsical pottery, glass and upcycled furniture,curated by NEST artist and City Lights Gallery #20 director Suzanne
Kachmar.
This exhibit dusts off an old concept of still lifes, through a conglomeration of creations, on and off the canvas, presenting representational works that are abstracted, imaginary, kinetic and breathe with process, exploring materials, marks, shapes and scrapes, line, form, color and fantasy.
Historically in painting the glorification of the object could represent religious and philosophical concepts, joys of domestic life, wealth and status. For some, art based on still-lifes may seem trite. But for the art student and the many artists who explore painting and the principles of design, still lifes are the building blocks for new visual ideas and ways to work. This exhibit dusts off an old concept of still lifes, on and off the canvas, presenting representational works that are abstracted, imaginary, kinetic and breathe with process, exploring materials, marks, shapes and scrapes, line, form, color and fantasy.
Read more about the exhibit here.
Continuing the playful exploration of the still-life concept, Kachmar includes actual still-life objects, the fantastic pottery by Ellie Mesa, mini abstract sculpture/maquettes that painter Larry Morse builds for the visual reference of his large abstracted still life creations and the fantastical manipulation of stretched and twisted glass bottles by Strive-Glass.
Exhibit: Black Rock Art Guild #36 Members’ Art in the Brickway
Saturday, November 12; 11 am to 5 pm / Sunday, November 13; 11 am to 5 pm
Members of the Black Rock Art Guild #36 will be exhibiting work in a variety of media. Exhibiting artists: Kit Briner, Harold Davis, Linda Downey, Geri Gould, Maxine Greenberg, Janet Habansky, Rita Daley Hannafin, Holly Hawthorn, Pat Jenkins, Diane Wendy, Kleros, Barbara Loss, Nina Marino, Jay Misencik, Judy Noel, Donna OsterbyBrien, Paul Rockoff, Cristina Sarno, Robb Sauerhoff, Gabriel Sorrentino, Geralene Valentine, Lee Walther. Poets: Janet Krauss, Heidi St Jean,
Musician: Steven Gilbert
Founded in 2013 BRAG (Black Rock Art Guild) #36 is a not-for-profit organization that welcomes artists of any genre – painters, writers, actors, sculptors, poets, photographers; to join its diverse group of talented
members. BRAG’s active membership of 75 prides itself on creating a sense of artistic community in Black Rock and the surrounding areas. BRAG meets monthly. Yearly dues are $10.
Bridgeport Portrait Project
Saturday, November 12; 11 am to 5 pm / Sunday, November 13; 11 am to 5 pm
Jay Misencik & Geralene Valentine, photographers
203-268-8306 / misencik.images@gmail.com / misencik-images.com
The NEST welcomes the Bridgeport Portrait Project team back for the Bridgeport Art Trail. See and hear updates to the project and celebrate “100 Years” – Poli’s Palace and Majestic Theatres Memories Project with photographs, slideshow videos, and story recordings. Since 2014, Jay Misencik and Geralene Valentine have been working on The Bridgeport
Portrait Project. It is an ongoing, documentary-style, photography and storytelling project. The people photographed and the stories they tell, explain why Bridgeport is so much more than just a place. They photographed people with different occupations on Bridgeport’s Main Street. They photographed clients at The Thomas Merton House of Hospitality. They photographed people who had a connection to the shuttered Palace and Majestic theatres in Bridgeport’s downtown. To
participate in or comment about The Bridgeport Portrait Project, please
contact Jay and Geralene: misencik.images@gmail.com
Art Demos & Music
Saturday, November 12; 1 pm to 4:30 pm
Busker-style music curated by Rick Reyes. Exploring art materials, hands-on making stations facilitated by Lori Bloom, and other NEST artists. Textile collage demo and hands on workshop with artist Iyaba Ibo Mandingo #6 in the Community Room.
Event: Lampwork Style Glass Blowing
Saturday, November 12; 1pm and 3 pm
Sunday, November 13; 12:30 pm and 2 pm
Demos by Jimmi of Strive-Glass. Learn about the history of glass and the ways humans used glass through history. Watch Jimmi as he manipulates molten glass, twisting and stretching with a live flame. Select works of Strive-Glass will be in the exhibit Reconstructed/Deconstructed.
Textile Collage Demo
Saturday, November 12; 1 pm to 3 pm
Sunday, November 13; 1 pm to 3 pm
Don’t miss the opportunity to make a small textile collage with master teacher, multi-media artist and storyteller, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo of Gallery 9104 #6.
Event: It’s Bead Time
Sunday, November 13, 2022; 1 pm to 3 pm
Linda Smith will be hosting a bead workshop. You can make necklaces and bracelets and fun. Come, see and buy from a large collection of glass beads.
Event: Drum Circle, Community Room
Sunday, November 13; 3 pm to 4 pm
Drum Circle returns from being so popular during our last Art Trail. Definitely a hands-on experience that everyone enjoys.
Event: Community Mosaic Project, studio 25A
Saturday, November 12; 1 pm to 4 pm
Take part in a community mosaic project to be permanently on view at the NEST.
Kat, of Marvelous Mosaic, introduces you to the ancient art of mosaic. Participate in a hands-on group mural project, that will be permanently on view at the NEST.
Event: Mixed Media Demo and Play, studios 32 & 33
Saturday, November 12; 2 pm and 4 pm
Sunday, November 13; 11:30 am
Lori Bloom and Camille Enkeboll welcome you to The Studio at Bridgeport. Come learn a bit about used media and the various materials that an be used to make art. We are the newest art studio in Bridgeport. Take a moment to play and create with us.
Left: Textile Collage by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo
Event: Tai Chai Demo, Community Room
Saturday, November 12; 2 pm to 4 pm
Sunday, November 13; 1:30 pm
Evel8ion Studios presents Tai Chi and good health practices with certified Tai Chi practitioner Jonathan B Davis. Learn the history and philosophy of the Healing Art of Tai Chi. Observe or participate in a group demonstration of Tai Chi form of Yang and Sun style. Learn how to apply every day simple and effective methods and techniques of the principles of traditional Tai Chi and Chinese medicine to stay healthy and well through the flu season and winter months.
Tawawa Wellness LLlC & Elev8ion Studio Live and Zoom Ta Chi Classes,
sign up for affordable winter classes. tawawawellness@optonline.net /203.257.1145
What is Tai Chi?
A series of gentle physical exercises and stretches. Each posture flows
into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant
motion. Thai Chi is sometimes described as meditation in motion. It promotes serenity through gentle movements. It’s a powerful method of exercising that leads to optimal health. The teaching style utilized is a safe, simple and effective approach. It can be performed standing or seated.
Event: The Fabric Chronicles, Gallery
Saturday, November 12; 2 pm
The Fabric Chronicles documents the lives of the people behind the interior design trade and textile enthusiasts as captured and told by fabric salesman, artist, and musician, Rick Reyes.
Event: Bridgeport Film Fest #28 Shorts, Gallery
Saturday, November 12; 3 pm to 4 pm
The Bridgeport Film Fest #28 is making “philanthropy through film” a priority in Bridgeport, CT. This nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the discovery, championing, and development of independent filmmakers and audiences. Through various programming, the festival seeks to showcase, guide, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the
Bridgeport community and beyond.
Curator’s Choice: A Series of Short Films
Featuring local filmmakers and musicians from the Connecticut area sharing their original short films, documentaries and music videos. This free event is curated by Jason A. Coombs, The Artistic Director of the Bridgeport Film Fest.
Event: Black Rock Art Guild #36 and NEST Artists’ Reception
Saturday, November 12; 4 pm to 6 pm
Talk with the artists, enjoy light refreshment, acoustic music by Steven Gilbert, poetry by BRAG #36 poets, Janet Krauss, Heidi St Jean, guest poets Iyaba Ibo Mandingo #6 and Larry Morse.
Event: Swamp Hogs Concert, Community Room
Saturday, November 12; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Pandemic born, The Swamp Hogs are a 5-hog band with an experimental inclination towards jam/funk, rock, folk, stoner doom and feral psychedelia. Emerging from the swamps of the Greater Bridgeport Area,
the Hogs deliver a welcoming high energy mix of covers and originals that will surely get you off your feet for a funky good time.
The Hogs consist of the Casey brothers (Catfish crooning lead vocals/rhythm guitar & Jimmy “Professor Casey” wigglin fingers on lead), Brian “Bowski” Grabowski slapping bass and singing backup, Garrett “G-Hal” Halstead bangin’ beats on the drum kit, and Owen “Squirrels” Nelson tenderly ticklin’ on them Conga skins and assisting vocals.
Event: Munch, Mingle, Music, and Mimosas
Sunday, November 13; 11:30 am to 1 pm
The NEST is transformed into an artful piano bar with music by Rob Foley, light bites, coffee and mimosa bar. Once the Mimosas start flowing, stick around for an impromptu artists walk and talk.
Event: cARTie #39 Museum Pop-Up
Sunday, November 13; 11 am to 2 pm
Mobile art museum bus presenting a juried exhibit of CT high school student artists, by cARTie #39.
Event: Boosting Creativity with Aromatherapy
Sunday, November 13; 11:30 am to 1 pm
Create your very own signature scent with Nest artist, Kerry Gale, and learn about the impact of scent on mood and spirit and its ability to enhance creativity. Kerry is the founder of Floraco, a company focused
on small batch, hand-crafted botanical products rooted from a passion for clean ingredients
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Ongoing, Year-round Figure Drawing at the NEST sponsored by City Lights/Bridgeport Art
Trail #20, Community Room
Ongoing on the first two Tuesday of each month; 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Sketches in charcoal, ink, watercolor and pencil are informally presented, (unframed with pushpins) seemingly fresh from the open sketch
workshop. Tables, easels are provided, bring drawing board and materials. Work in a comfortable, yet serious and supportive atmosphere. $15
for model fee and studio time. RSVP to attend to clgallerybpt@gmail.com
BAT 2021 HIGHLIGTHS AT THE NEST
Event: NEST Open Studios & Art Sale
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am to 5 pm
Meet the NEST artists, tour their studios, and experience the variety of art and music created in this collaborative space. Work of all sizes for sale, just in time for the holidays.
Detail, art of Eliana Mesa
Event: Secret World of Honey
Saturday, November 13; 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
A sensory journey into the secret world of honey. Learn how to taste five varietal honeys like a sommelier. Workshop is limited to 20 participants. Please RSVP via nestartsfactory.com/ to reserve your spot.
Event: Glass Blowing
Saturday, November 13; 1 pm – 3 pm
Have you ever seen melted glass transform into art? Experience a live demonstration of the lampwork style of glassblowing by strive_glass.
Event: Djeli Village, Storytelling with Puppets
Saturday, November 13; 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo and his troupe of puppets take us back to ancient Afrika, to the tradition of oral history. When the Djeli or Griot (story teller) traveled from village to village, telling the tales and folklore passed down from generation to generation.
Event: P-ART-Y at the NEST and Latina Americana, Latin/Bluegrass fusion
Saturday, November 13; 4 pm – 6 pm
View a building full of art. Enjoy live music by the Latin Americana ensemble with Rick Reyes, Dick Neal and friends with reception bites and drinks.
Event: Event: Belly Dancing Demo
Sunday, November 14; 1 pm – 2 pm
Prepare to rock the casbah! Experience the ancient art of belly dancing. Demonstration will be led by Camila Pina in the NEST Community Room. All ages welcome.
Event: Gallery Talk with Mercedes Arensberg
Sunday, November 14; 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Local art and art history teacher Mercedes Arensberg, who is also a practicing artist, will be sharing her insight and passion for art at the NEST. Come join her for a thought-provoking gallery talk regarding the work on exhibit for the Art Trail. Open to all ages.
Event: Pop-up Jewelry Boutique
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am to 5 pm
Local art and art history teacher Mercedes Arensberg, who is also a practicing artist, will be sharing her insight and passion for art at the NEST. Come join her for a thought-provoking gallery talk regarding the work on exhibit for the Art Trail. Open to all ages.
Event: Colorful Collages… Just for Kids
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 1 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am to 1 pm
Calling all kids… Learn about artist Henri Matisse, see his colorful paper collages, and then create your own collage to take home. (Please note, this is not a drop-off event.)
Event: Black Rock Art Guild Members’ Art Exhibit
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am to 5 pm
Over 15 artist members of the Black Rock Art Guild will be exhibiting work in a variety of media. Light refreshments will be served, free and open to the public. Exhibiting artists include: Donna Osterby Brien, Harold Davis, Linda Downey, Julie Fatherley, Susan Fehlinger, Mary Gibbs, Geri Gould, Rita Daley Hannafin, Pat Jenkins, Noah Laurent, Barbara Loss, Judy Noel, Ada Van Duyn, Lee Walther, Bruce Williams
Event: Bridgeport Film Fest-Curator’s Choice: A Series of Short Films and Music Videos
Saturday, November 13; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm (doors open at 3 pm)
Sunday, November 14; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm (doors open at 3 pm)
This film series will feature local filmmakers and musicians from the the Connecticut area sharing their original work that represents the Bridgeport Art Trail themes of It’s Complicated and Rediscovery and Reinvention. This free event is curated by Jason A. Coombs, the Producing Artistic Director of the Bridgeport Film Fest. The Bridgeport Film Fest is making “philanthropy through film” a priority in Bridgeport, CT. This nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the discovery, championing, and development of independent filmmakers and audiences. Through various programming, the festival seeks to showcase, guide, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the Bridgeport community and beyond. Find out more about the Bridgeport Film Fest at bridgeportfilmfest.org, or on Instagram or Facebook /bridgeportfilmfest. Contact at bptfilmfest@gmail.com