Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am

Location:
Catamount Arts Center Cabaret Room
115 Eastern Ave.
St. Johnsbury, VT

Admission: Free!

Come get moving and have fun with Quahog Dance! No experience is necessary. Quahog Dance Theatre is starting its second year at Catamount Arts in the Cabaret Room on the first floor located on Eastern Ave. in St. Johnsbury. Meetings are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 am and all adults ages 18 or older are welcome. This is a group that likes to move no matter how old you are or what shape your body is in. We explore all kinds of dance from 60’s and 70’s rock to ballroom to line dance to musical theatre, folk and more. The group gets to request what music they want to dance to and how they would like to move. Instructors are Janet Warner-Ashley and Tito Hernandez with experience in all kinds of movement from ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ballroom to Broadway, yoga, Pilates, African and Improvisation. Come dance with us and explore how you would like to move! Warning - dancing may make you smile or even laugh out loud. This program is FREE!

Saturday, February 11 - drop in between 11 am and 1 pm

Location:
Catamount Arts Center
115 Eastern Ave.
St. Johnsbury, VT

Admission: FREE

Who doesn’t love to receive a handmade Valentine?! Join Youth Programs Assistant Christine Nockels in making unique Valentine cards from a variety of materials. All ages are welcome to drop in anytime between 11am and 1pm (age 8 and under must be accompanied by an older family member). Before noon, please enter the building through the back door from the parking lot.

Thursday, February 16, 10 am-noon

Location:
Catamount Arts Center
115 Eastern Ave.
St. Johnsbury, VT

Instructor: Christine Nockels

The birch tree symbolizes rebirth in Celtic tradition, and we will celebrate the dawn of a new year by creating beautiful vases or lanterns using natural materials from our environment. The class will explore methods of preparing materials gathered from nature to create unique items. Students may choose either glass jars (for lanterns) or thick cardboard containers for this project. Materials are provided, but students are encouraged to bring any natural materials they like from home, such as lichen, moss, polypore mushrooms, or seed heads.

Class fee: $10 for first child ($5 for each sibling – discount applies at checkout). After paying, please complete an enrollment form HERE. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts experiences for all students, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 for information about scholarship funds. Please send a snack with your child (we will have some for anyone who does not have one).

Partial funding provided by an Afterschool and Summer Expanding Access grant.

Christine Nockels is the Youth Programs Assistant at Catamount Arts. Originally from California, Christine has a BA in illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. She works primarily in painting, embroidery, and collage, and dabbles in nature sculpting and alternative sculpture.

Saturday, February 18, 4:00 pm

Location:
York Street Meeting House
153 York Street
Lyndon, VT

Admission: $35

If you are registering a middle or high school student, please complete an enrollment form HERE after paying for a spot in the class.

For those aged 13 and up with knowledge of basic guitar chords.

One-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto will demonstrate fingerstyle techniques (playing with the fingers in place of a pick), including chords and basic theory. Hiroya will cover how to practice on a daily basis to improve your skills. He breaks down different elements of music such as tone, rhythm and explains how to apply them to a regular daily practice routine.

Hiroya Tsukamoto will be performing after the workshop, at 7:00 pm.

Two sessions offered Monday through Friday, February 27- March 3, 2023:

• Ages 6-11: 9:00AM-12:00PM
• Ages 12-18: 1:00-4:00PM

Location:
ArtPort
Green Mountain Mall
2000 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT

Instructors: Circus Smirkus coaches

Are you ready for an amazing week of circus magic? At this special Vacation Day Camp presented by Circus Smirkus and Catamount Arts, professional circus artists will coach you in juggling, acrobatics, aerials, balance and more. You’ll stay active during the winter break as you toss objects, fly high on the trapeze, balance on the tightwire or form a human-pyramid with your friends! Perhaps you’ll even perform your newfound skills for friends and family! No experience necessary.

Camp fee: $150.00/person. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts activities for children, regardless of ability to pay. Please call 802-748-2600 ext 109 and speak to Anne to inquire about scholarship availability or working out a payment plan.

After clicking on “Buy Tickets” to register, please complete an enrollment form HERE

Space is limited - sign up soon!

The Catamount Arts ArtPort is located at Green Mountain Mall, St. Johnsbury, VT

Circus Smirkus is a circus arts organization that inspires kids of all ages to develop artistic, athletic, and life skills through the power of performance. Smirkus offers three programs – Residencies, Smirkus Camp, and Big Top Tour – that blend the best of circus tradition and contemporary practice to create immersive experiences that challenge kids to perform and live to the very best of their own abilities.

***SOLD OUT***
Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 28-March 2, 10:00 am -11:30 am

Location:
Catamount Arts Center
115 Eastern Ave.
St. Johnsbury, VT

Instructor: Kim and Bill Darling

Using the medium of linoleum block printing, we will create designs inspired by natural forms and patterns. The group will visit the Fairbanks Museum and draw from observation to help in the development of ideas, and then each student will draw and carve their original design onto the linoleum. We will conclude by using a press at Gatto Nero Press on Eastern Avenue to print the blocks onto archival paper.

Class fee: $25, materials included (10% discount for second child). Please register HERE. After paying, please complete an Enrollment Form. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts experiences for all students, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 for information about scholarship funds.

Partial funding provided by an Afterschool and Summer Expanding Access grant.

Registration deadline: February 21

Kim Darling is a visual artist with studio and teaching practices firmly rooted in observational drawing. She has worked in a variety of mediums, including oil and fresco painting, intaglio printmaking and “Moving Drawing” video installations. She and her husband, printmaker Bill Darling, are the owners of Gatto Nero Press and Studio in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Teaching is an important part of Kim’s artistic practice. She is committed to helping keep drawing a part of contemporary artistic practice, and for the past twenty years she has led an annual printmaking trip to Italy for members of the Intaglio society, the Academy’s student printmaking group. Kim’s educational background includes a BFA from Alfred University in Alfred, New York; extended study at the Art Students League of New York, of which she is a life member; and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier, Vermont. Recent Exhibitions of her work include a 2020 exhibit of intaglio prints at Il Bisonte printmaking studio in Florence, Italy, and a January 2023 exhibit of intaglio prints at the Quimby Gallery at Northern Vermont University, Lyndon.

Bill Darling studied painting and printmaking at The Art Students League of New York and was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards including two years of consecutive study from the Sherwood Foundation. Notable commissions include a 4x6 foot oil painting painted on location at Shirakawa, Japan, a designated Unesco World Cultural Heritage site and a life size basswood sculpture of the crucified Christ for the main altar, St. John's Catholic Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Bill teaches and works in diverse mediums, but intaglio printmaking is his passion. He and his wife, artist Kim Darling, are co-owners of Gatto Nero Press and Studio in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where they host exhibitions, teach workshops and create and publish intaglio prints. In 1996 Bill and Kim founded The Intaglio Society at St. Johnsbury Academy, and for the past twenty years have brought their students to Florence Italy to the Il Bisonte studios to further build these young printmakers skills and artmaking experiences. Recent Exhibitions of his work include a 2020 exhibit of intaglio prints at Il Bisonte printmaking studio in Florence, Italy, and a January 2023 exhibit of intaglio prints at the Quimby Gallery at Northern Vermont University, Lyndon.

Photo caption: Luna Moth by Finn Hill

Wednesdays, March 8-29, 6:30-8:00pm

Location:
Gatto Nero Press
190 Eastern Avenue
St. Johnsbury, VT

Instructors: Kim and Bill Darling

Beginning with drawing simple forms from life, we will create drypoint plates and then print them at Gatto Nero Press. We will begin with some basic observational drawing instruction and experimental mark-making on plexiglass plates, then move on to working on aluminum plates. Students should provide their own sketchbooks so they can work on drawing ideas between the class meetings.

Class fee: $120, materials included (10% discount for Catamount Arts members). If registering a student under age 18, please complete an enrollment form HERE after paying.

Registration deadline: February 28

Kim Darling is a visual artist with studio and teaching practices firmly rooted in observational drawing. She has worked in a variety of mediums, including oil and fresco painting, intaglio printmaking and “Moving Drawing” video installations. She and her husband, printmaker Bill Darling, are the owners of Gatto Nero Press and Studio in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Teaching is an important part of Kim’s artistic practice. She is committed to helping keep drawing a part of contemporary artistic practice, and for the past twenty years she has led an annual printmaking trip to Italy for members of the Intaglio society, the Academy’s student printmaking group. Kim’s educational background includes a BFA from Alfred University in Alfred, New York; extended study at the Art Students League of New York, of which she is a life member; and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier, Vermont. Recent Exhibitions of her work include a 2020 exhibit of intaglio prints at Il Bisonte printmaking studio in Florence, Italy, and a January 2023 exhibit of intaglio prints at the Quimby Gallery at Northern Vermont University, Lyndon.

Bill Darling studied painting and printmaking at The Art Students League of New York and was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards including two years of consecutive study from the Sherwood Foundation. Notable commissions include a four by six foot oil painting painted on location at Shirakawa, Japan, a designated Unesco World Cultural Heritage site and a life size basswood sculpture of the crucified Christ for the main altar, St. John's Catholic Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Bill teaches and works in diverse mediums, but intaglio printmaking is his passion. He and his wife, artist Kim Darling, are co-owners of Gatto Nero Press and Studio in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where they host exhibitions, teach workshops and create and publish intaglio prints. In 1996 Bill and Kim founded The Intaglio Society at St. Johnsbury Academy, and for the past twenty years have brought their students to Florence Italy to the Il Bisonte studios to further build these young printmakers skills and artmaking experiences. Recent Exhibitions of his work include a 2020 exhibit of intaglio prints at Il Bisonte printmaking studio in Florence, Italy, and a January 2023 exhibit of intaglio prints at the Quimby Gallery at Northern Vermont University, Lyndon.

Second Wednesday of each month

Location:
Whirligig Brewing
397 Railroad Street, Unit #2
St. Johnsbury, VT

Poets and poetry lovers are invited to gather monthly at Whirligig Brewing in St. Johnsbury, Vermont to share food and words at a Poetry Potluck hosted by the brewery and Catamount Arts, as part of PoemTown St. Johnsbury. Poetry Potlucks will be held on the second Wednesday of each month, with the first one on September 14 from 7-9pm. Each gathering is hosted by a local poet. 

All are welcome to bring poems or prose of their own or of others to read, or just come to listen and share food and conversation with other poetry lovers. There is no obligation to bring food, but participants are welcome to do so.

“Poets gathering to share their words and a meal creates an incredible experience, helping to build and strengthen bonds within the communities in which we are creating our art,” said poet Jen Hudgens. Whirligig Brewing owner and brewer Geoffrey Sewake added, "Whirligig is excited to support the community and the Arts. Hosting a monthly Poetry Potluck on the second Wednesday of the month is a perfect way for us to create fun spaces for creativity and energy in our Northeast Kingdom community."

Whirligig Brewing is a small one barrel nano brewery and taproom located in downtown St Johnsbury, utilizing local and regional grain and hops in the majority of their beers. They brew a wide variety of beer styles, including IPAs, lagers and stouts, but specialize in sours and wild ales. Whirligig Brewing is proudly BIPOC-owned.

PoemTown St. Johnsbury celebrates poetry in all forms and by all people, primarily during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month.

For more information about the Poetry Potlucks, contact Anne Campbell at Catamount Arts, acampbell@catamountarts.org.