Upcoming Events
Red, White, and Bruised: Exhibition Opening Reception
"Red, White, and Bruised: America's Healthcare and Reproductive Rights" — Assemblages from Medical Debris by Sarah Schneiderman
In "Red, White, and Bruised," artist Sarah Schneiderman confronts the fractured healthcare and reproductive landscape in the United States. Schneiderman made these poignant assemblages from non-recyclable medical and other debris. This exhibit juxtaposes imagery of American flags with maps showing state-level abortion access. Each piece in this exhibit examines the promises of liberty and justice against the realities of unequal care, legislative control, and choice.
Sarah reimagines the flag—an emblem of national pride and unity—using discarded medical materials such as pill packs, gauze, surgical socks, and syringe tubes. These flags represent waste in America's healthcare system, both figuratively and literally. They explore the equality of those who have access to healthcare. Minorities, women, and people of lower socioeconomic status receive different care than wealthy white men. Alongside the flags, abortion access maps, constructed from similar debris, show in which states reproductive rights are banned or are safe and legal. These maps lay bare the consequences of political decisions on real bodies.
Together, these works ask: "What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a nation where geography, wealth, gender, and race determine who has access to care?"
"Red, White, and Bruised" invites viewers to reflect on national pride, laws, and personal health. It challenges us to envision a country where care and choice are universal rights, not privileges.
Red, White, and Bruised: Artist Talk with Sarah Schneiderman
"Red, White, and Bruised: America's Healthcare and Reproductive Rights" — Assemblages from Medical Debris by Sarah Schneiderman
In "Red, White, and Bruised," artist Sarah Schneiderman confronts the fractured healthcare and reproductive landscape in the United States. Schneiderman made these poignant assemblages from non-recyclable medical and other debris. This exhibit juxtaposes imagery of American flags with maps showing state-level abortion access. Each piece in this exhibit examines the promises of liberty and justice against the realities of unequal care, legislative control, and choice.
Sarah reimagines the flag—an emblem of national pride and unity—using discarded medical materials such as pill packs, gauze, surgical socks, and syringe tubes. These flags represent waste in America's healthcare system, both figuratively and literally. They explore the equality of those who have access to healthcare. Minorities, women, and people of lower socioeconomic status receive different care than wealthy white men. Alongside the flags, abortion access maps, constructed from similar debris, show in which states reproductive rights are banned or are safe and legal. These maps lay bare the consequences of political decisions on real bodies.
Together, these works ask: "What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a nation where geography, wealth, gender, and race determine who has access to care?"
"Red, White, and Bruised" invites viewers to reflect on national pride, laws, and personal health. It challenges us to envision a country where care and choice are universal rights, not privileges.
The Factory: Poetry Workshop With Pat Mottola on 7/2
Explore writing various forms of poetry with Cheshire Poet Laureate and CT Poetry Society president, Pat Mottola!
Please reserve your spot in advance.
Pat Mottola bio:
Award-winning poet and Pushcart Prize nominee, Pat Mottola teaches Creative Writing at Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned both an M.S. in Art Education and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. In addition to working with students at SCSU, she is thrilled to teach both art and poetry to Senior Citizens in person and online throughout Connecticut. Her work is published in journals across the country, including War, Literature & the Arts, Connecticut Review, Main Street Rag, San Pedro River Review, VietNow Magazine, and Paterson Literary Review. She has served as Keynote Speaker for the IMPAC-Young Writers Awards as well as judged Connecticut High School Poetry Out Loud competitions. Pat is President of the Connecticut Poetry Society and served as editor of Connecticut River Review from 2012–2017. On a global scale, she mentors Afghan women writers living in Afghanistan and beyond, resulting in a collection of poems in English, Maybe I Should Fly, by two Afghan sisters who lived under the Taliban regime. She is the author of three collections of poetry: Under the Red Dress, After Hours, and A Town Like That. Pat was the recipient of the prestigious CSCU system-wide Board of Regents Outstanding Teacher Award in 2019, as well as the J. Philip Smith Outstanding Teacher Award in 2021. Pat is the Poet Laureate of Cheshire, CT. Look for her amazing lineup of guest poets and spoken word presentations and open mics in Cheshire all this summer through fall!ance.
The Factory: Object as Inspiration: A Generative Short Fiction Session with Kristin Dringoli
Explore writing fiction with Kristin Dringoli.
The Factory: Stand-Up Comedy for All
About This Event
Always wanted to try Stand-Up? Never known where to start? Try this intro class open to all. No experience necessary.
Workshop is limited to 12 participants, so be sure to register now!
More about David Iscoe:
David Iscoe is a writer, educator, and ghostwriter. He writes strange, cross-genre fiction on his own, and wide variety of things for hire. He also works as a humor coach and consultant.
The most famous place he worked was The Onion, where he served as a TV staff writer, a web series head writer and director, and a senior writer in the video department.
Partner Programming: Trash Art Workshop @ Artsplace for Adults
Using found objects and non-recyclable trash, the participants will create their own works of art on canvas. Imagery templates will include fish and birds, though any subject may be created. This workshop is about the process and creative recycling. You’ll learn how to make art out of what you have on hand and to interpret an image by layering objects and trash. Bring some of yours! (Teens/Adults) (1 day)
Fee: $35 for Residents or $40 for Non-Residents
Partner Programming: Trash Art Workshop @ Artsplace
Sarah Schneiderman Fish or Bird Collage (Grades 4-8) ~ 1 day : register at Artsplace!
Saturday, July 19, 1:00-3:00 pm
Using found objects and non-recyclable trash, students will create their own works of art. Imagery templates will include fish and birds, though any subject may be created. This workshop is about experiencing the fun of collage, while learning about how plastic and other trash impact the environment, especially sea life.
Instructor: Sarah Schneiderman
Fee: $35 for Residents or $40 for Non-Residents
Live @ the Factory: Community Sing with Brian Ember and friends
Ball & Socket Arts is excited to bring back the Community Sing in summer 2025 on-site.
On Saturday, July 19th from 6-8 pm, we will gather again for our second annual “Sing Out” led by Brian Ember. Join us for a night of belting out classic tunes from the last few decades in our very own community sing.
It will be silly.
It will be delightful.
You’ll find community and find unlikely connections.
No musical experience necessary, but a curious and open mind will help.
New Haven’s Brian Ember (https://brianember.com/about) will be our song leader. Song list will be shared as soon as we have it.
Experience what Brian Eno describes as ‘the key to a long life’ and sing with us!
Need more reasons to try a group sing?
Brian Eno’s Reasons: https://www.npr.org/2008/11/23/97320958/singing-the-key-to-a-long-life
Scientific Reasons: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00549-0
Journalistic Reasons: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/25/singing-with-others-mental-physical-health/
Etc…: https://www.artsandmindlab.org/group-singing-provides-a-good-refrain-for-the-brain/
The Factory: Making Meaning Without Conflict: Workshop with Steff Sirois
In this studio-styled workshop, we’ll deviate from the traditional story arc and identify alternative narrative structures for short stories that empower us to write more originally. We’ll identify how a form should fit a story as opposed to a story fitting into a form, and we’ll write to exercises and prompts that deemphasize conflict and plot by instead focusing on world building, image stacking, and characterization.
More About Steff:
Steff Sirois got her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho, where she studied the Gothic and wrote short fiction about insanity, hauntedness, and loss. You can find some of her recent work in Ninth Letter, Harpur Palate, Reed Magazine, Landlocked, Prism Review, Fugue Journal, and the Washington Post.
$30 gets you 90 minutes of instruction in the Workshop Gallery at Ball & Socket Arts. If cost is a barrier to participation, please reach out to our team to discuss accommodations.
Workshop is limited to 12 participants, so be sure to register now!
The Factory: Call and Response with Brian Johnson
In this workshop, you will learn how to respond to poems that move you, writing your own poems that echo, question, or reinvent the original work.
Brian Johnson is the author of Torch Lake and Other Poems and the recipient of two Connecticut Commission on the Arts Fellowships. He directs the first-year writing program at Southern Connecticut State University.
$30 gets you 90 minutes of instruction in the Workshop Gallery at Ball & Socket Arts. If cost is a barrier to participation, please reach out to our team to discuss accommodations.
Workshop is limited to 12 participants, so be sure to register now!
Live @ the Factory: Dan Pugach Big Band at Bartlem Park
Ball & Socket Arts is thrilled to announce a very special edition of Live @ the Factory on July 25th with Dan Pugach Big Band.
Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic dinner for an evening of original live music from the 18-piece, Grammy-winning Dan Pugach Big Band at Bartlem Park's new bandshell!
Grab your spot and start your picnic at 5:30.
Music from 6-8 pm.
This event is produced by Ball & Socket Arts in partnership with Cheshire Public Library. This night of music is sponsored by HB Live.
The Key to Adventure: cARTie Bus Visit for families with kiddos under 10!
The cARTie bus is coming to Ball & Socket Arts Cheshire on Saturday, July 26th from 3-5 pm.
Targeted at families with kiddos under 10, cARTie educators will guide young people on an exciting adventure through the world of the Key to Adventure, a children’s book celebrating the Connecticut Museum.
Face painting and guided art activities will be set-up as well, along with information about registering for Artsplace classes and workshops.
https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/key-to-adventure-childrens-book/
Live @ the Factory: Lys Guillorn & the Void Kittens with opener, the Sawtelles
Ball & Socket Arts is thrilled to announce Lys Guillorn & the Void Kittens, with opening act, the Sawtelles on Saturday, August 16th from 6-8 pm.
Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic dinner from one of our local restaurants for an evening of music.
Grab your spot and start your picnic at 5:30. We will have cold beverages available for sale with all proceeds benefitting future programming on-site.
Music from 6-8 pm.
More on 8/16/25 Headliner: Lys Guillorn & The Void Kitttens
Lys Guillorn is a genre-bending singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Connecticut, dipping one boot in twangy indie folk, and the other in psych rock. Live, Guillorn is joined by The Void Kittens--Peter Riccio (drums) from The Sawtelles and NHIC, and Eric Bloomquist (bass) of Chica Non Grata and Bronson Rock.
Guillorn’s self-titled first record, released in 2003, earned some indie press and radio airplay due to its originality as well as guest turns from members of the Feelies, Luna, and Voidoids. Since then, Guillorn has remained a steadfast member of the Connecticut music scene, printing photos by day and playing shows by night with both local and national artists. They have two full-length studio records of originals, and a couple of EPs and singles on their own label, Little Cowgirl Records. Guillorn's most recent release is a newly remastered version of Wayward Children, which features demos and tracks from compilations put out by other labels. They are currently working on their next full-length record.
More on The Sawtelles:
“The Sawtelles strip it down to the absolute bare minimum you need to still be rock ‘n’ roll. They are elegant minimalism and the wonderful thing is that there are no secrets, no cards up their sleeves, because they’re not trying to out-cool you.” - Dan Barry
Event takes place on-site at Ball & Socket Arts in the plaza in front of Building 5.
Extended parking available at the municipal lots along Railroad Avenue. Or if you're local, please consider walking or bicycling to the site!
Advance (free) registration encouraged to receive communications about any changes or rescheduling due to weather events.
Live @ the Factory: Goodnight Blue Moon on 9/6/25
On September 6th from 6-8 pm, enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring local bluegrass legends, Goodnight Blue Moon.
Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic dinner from one of our local restaurants for an evening of music.
Grab your spot and start your picnic at 5:30. We will have cold beverages available for sale with all proceeds benefitting future programming on-site.
Music from 6-8 pm.
Goondight Blue Moon
Blending rich vocal harmonies with lush orchestrations, Goodnight Blue Moon has created a sound that is steeped in tradition, yet entirely current. GNBM is known for their energetic, honest, and dynamic live performances, offering a refreshing take on Americana roots music.
Awarded Best Roots Act in the 2016 New England Music Awards, and Best Folk/Traditional Act in the 2018 and 2013 Connecticut Music Awards, Goodnight Blue Moon has cemented their place as one of New England's premier groups. They have shared the stage with indie-folk heavyweights Hurray for the Riff Raff, Spirit Family Reunion, Wild Child, Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons, and Mother Falcon among others, in addition to creating a diverse and devoted following of their own. Goodnight Blue Moon has been regularly featured on WNPR's Where We Live and NEXT with John Dankosky. Their festival credits include CT Folk Festival, LAUNCH Music Festival, MUSIKFEST, Podunk Bluegrass Festival, I AM Festival and Block Island Music Festival. Goodnight Blue Moon's third studio album Dawning Dream was released April 2018.
Live @ the Factory: Cheshire Community Band
Kick off summer and the start of Live @ the Factory with us on Saturday, June 21. Bring your lawn chairs for a family-friendly afternoon of band music from the Cheshire Community Band!
Music from 3-4 pm featuring 30+ of Cheshire's own musicians.
Advance (free) registration encouraged to stay in the loop about any late-breaking changes due to weather or circumstances beyond our control.
Skateboard Collage Creation Workshop with Rashmi
Swing by Artsplace for a FREE hands-on workshop exploring collage with Rashmi Talpade. Advanced registration required. Space is limited.
Bring your favorite photos, magazines, and fancy papers for a hands-on workshop exploring the art of collage with Ball & Socket Arts' Workshop Gallery artist, Rashmi Talpade from 2 to 4 pm on Friday, June 6th.
Glue and materials provided, but please bring your own images to collage. A limited number of wooden skateboard blanks will be available to purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Each of those costs $60 and must be paid for with cash or check direct to the teaching artist.
Workshop is limited to 14 participants, so be sure to register now!
*** please note this Workshop will take place next door at Artsplace in Building 2!
Reserve your spot here.
Boardslide Arts & Culture Networking Night
Swing by the Workshop Gallery and connect with other arts, culture, museum, and creative workers from 5-7 pm on Monday, June 2nd.
Light bites provided.
Featured Artists:
Paul Baylock; Alan Bisbort; Michaela Gorski; Deborah Hesse; Chelsea Marti; Mike Mindera; Sarah Nguyen; and Rashmi Talpade
Boardslide:
In keeping with the historic location of Ball and Socket Arts which was a manufacturing facility, “Board Slide” is an exhibition focusing on the ability of fine artists to translate the form of a skateboard through their creativity.
The gap between sports and art is wide mainly due to preconceived notions. Fine artists often find themselves compelled to defend creation of utility items which are termed as craft as if it is in any way a genre of lesser importance. Likewise, sports equipment is usually not associated with fine art. In a complex world where a case can be made for all forms of creation to be connected through artistic as well as economic means, what better than the motif of a simple toy like a skateboard to form the basis of inspiration for a group of contemporary artists?
The materials are diverse as is the aesthetic of each participating artist.
Boardslide Collage Creation Workshop with Rashmi
Swing by Artsplace for a FREE hands-on workshop exploring collage with Rashmi Talpade. Advanced registration required. Space is limited.
Bring your favorite photos, magazines, and fancy papers for a hands-on workshop exploring the art of collage with Ball & Socket Arts' Workshop Gallery artist, Rashmi Talpade from 4 to 5:30 pm on Sunday, June 1st.
Glue and materials provided, but please bring your own images to collage.
Workshop is limited to 14 participants, so be sure to register now!
*** please note this Workshop will take place next door at Artsplace in Building 2!
Reserve your spot here.
Boardslide Artist Panel Discussion
Swing by the Workshop Gallery and hear insights on the creative process from the artists of Boardslide at a panel discussion.
Featured Artists:
Paul Baylock; Alan Bisbort; Michaela Gorski; Deborah Hesse; Chelsea Marti; Mike Mindera; Sarah Nguyen; and Rashmi Talpade
Boardslide:
In keeping with the historic location of Ball and Socket Arts which was a manufacturing facility, “Board Slide” is an exhibition focusing on the ability of fine artists to translate the form of a skateboard through their creativity.
The gap between sports and art is wide mainly due to preconceived notions. Fine artists often find themselves compelled to defend creation of utility items which are termed as craft as if it is in any way a genre of lesser importance. Likewise, sports equipment is usually not associated with fine art. In a complex world where a case can be made for all forms of creation to be connected through artistic as well as economic means, what better than the motif of a simple toy like a skateboard to form the basis of inspiration for a group of contemporary artists?
The materials are diverse as is the aesthetic of each participating artist.
The Great Give
Spring for the Arts on May 7 & 8, 2025. Donations of any size made during this special giving event will be eligible for limited-time match, challenge, and prize funds.
Spring Tasting Event
Swing by the Workshop Gallery and enjoy spring with us.
Featured Artists:
Paul Baylock; Alan Bisbort; Michaela Gorski; Deborah Hesse; Chelsea Marti; Mike Mindera; Sarah Nguyen; and Rashmi Talpade
Boardslide:
In keeping with the historic location of Ball and Socket Arts which was a manufacturing facility, “Board Slide” is an exhibition focusing on the ability of fine artists to translate the form of a skateboard through their creativity.
The gap between sports and art is wide mainly due to preconceived notions. Fine artists often find themselves compelled to defend creation of utility items which are termed as craft as if it is in any way a genre of lesser importance. Likewise, sports equipment is usually not associated with fine art. In a complex world where a case can be made for all forms of creation to be connected through artistic as well as economic means, what better than the motif of a simple toy like a skateboard to form the basis of inspiration for a group of contemporary artists?
The materials are diverse as is the aesthetic of each participating artist.
Spring Tasting event from 3-5 pm on Sunday, May 4th.
Jane’s Walk: Explore the History of Button-Making in the West Main Region led by Agnes Wnuk
Take a stroll into the past to explore the history of Ball & Socket Manufacturing, once the biggest employer in town and now the home to Ball & Socket Arts. Learn more about the industrial history, boarding houses, factory workers, and transportation that powered this region, and what Ball & Socket Arts is doing now with these historic landmarks. Reserve your spot over at the Preservation CT website here.
Boardslide Opening Reception
Swing by the Workshop Gallery and be the first to catch Boardslide at our opening reception.
Featured Artists:
Paul Baylock; Alan Bisbort; Michaela Gorski; Deborah Hesse; Chelsea Marti; Mike Mindera; Sarah Nguyen; and Rashmi Talpade
Boardslide:
In keeping with the historic location of Ball and Socket Arts which was a manufacturing facility, “Board Slide” is an exhibition focusing on the ability of fine artists to translate the form of a skateboard through their creativity.
The gap between sports and art is wide mainly due to preconceived notions. Fine artists often find themselves compelled to defend creation of utility items which are termed as craft as if it is in any way a genre of lesser importance. Likewise, sports equipment is usually not associated with fine art. In a complex world where a case can be made for all forms of creation to be connected through artistic as well as economic means, what better than the motif of a simple toy like a skateboard to form the basis of inspiration for a group of contemporary artists?
The materials are diverse as is the aesthetic of each participating artist.
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2 from 4-7 pm with light refreshments
Home, Health and Garden Show
Come find our team at the Home, Health and Garden show, hosted by the Cheshire Chamber.
Party in the Pews: Band O’ Brothers
Our spring music series, Party in the Pews returns on Saturday, March 22nd from 3-5 pm with Band O’ Brothers. Tickets can be purchased online in advance here or at the door with cash or card.
Based in Cheshire, Connecticut, Band O'Brothers is an Irish-American Folk Band made up of three pairs of brothers and some brothers from other mothers. The group plays traditional and original Irish folk music with vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, whistle, and drums.
Artist Talk with Lillian Bayley Hoover
Artist Talk with Lillian Bayley Hoover from 11 am to noon on Saturday, March 22nd.
About the Artist:
Lillian Bayley Hoover's work is in public collections including the Baltimore Museum of Art, Weatherspoon Art Museum (Greensboro, NC), and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. She is the recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Grant, the Bethesda Urban Partnership's Trawick Award, multiple grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, a travel grant from Philadelphia’s Center for Emerging Visual Artists, and fellowships to attend residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Monson Arts Center, and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Her work has been featured on the cover of New American Paintings. She has had solo exhibitions at MoCA Arlington (Arlington, VA), Goya Contemporary (Baltimore, MD), BlackRock Center for the Arts (Germantown, MD), and VisArts
(Rockville, MD), among other venues. Hoover holds an MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art and a BFA from University of North Carolina Asheville. She teaches at Towson University.
https://lillianhoover.com/home.html
Image features: A Planet Swayed by Breath, by Lilliian Bayley Hoover, completed in 2024, dimensions 36x48 inches
Opening for Lillian Bayley Hoover exhibition
Welcome our latest exhibition featuring the paintings of Lillian Bayley Hoover in the Workshop Gallery from 4-7 pm on Friday, March 21st.
Meet the artist and be the first to see this new exhibition!
Image features: A Planet Swayed by Breath, by Lilliian Bayley Hoover, completed in 2024, dimensions 36x48 inches
Party in the Pews: Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters
Our spring music series, Party in the Pews returns on Saturday, March 8th from 3-5 pm with the bluegrass stylings of Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased here.
The powerhouse duo of Amy Gallatin and renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams—20 and 40 year veterans of the New England music scene--joined forces a few years ago to explore their mutual love of country standards, served up with an acoustic treatment in the bluegrass vein. The result is a toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking, traditional yet modern and distinct.
Americana radio host Ed McKeon says: "Amy's vocals, with the power and tone of her voice, are tempered by Roger's baritone which has been sanded smooth by cigarettes and, shall we say, maturity. The song selections are perfect, the harmonies glorious, the sentiments wonderfully maudlin (like any good old country song)."
The two are enhanced on mandolin and vocals by Roger's son, Berklee College of Music grad JD Williams, who--in the time-honored tradition of musical consanguinity complements his father's style perfectly--and by veteran bassist Bob Dick, formerly of the award-winning bluegrass band Front Range and New England favorite Blackstone Valley Bluegrass.
Artist Talk for Slapstick
Artist Panel and Q&A with curator on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from noon to 1 pm! Come hear about the artmaking process from four of Slapstick’s participating artists: Cat Balco, Melanie Carr, Niki Lederer, and Suzan Shutan.
Slapstick Opening Reception
Join us for an opening reception from 4-7pm in the Workshop Gallery.
Slapstick is a physical type of humor involving play, exaggeration and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense. In Slapstick, each of the artists included explores abstraction in a highly personal way with a sense of play and experimentation, both in process and in materials. The work included is unpretentiously formal, borrowing aesthetic attributes from Pop Art. This work successfully exudes the fun and delight of creation.
Learn more about the show here.
Holiday @ the Factory
Don’t miss your new favorite tradition! Holiday @ the Factory will feature live music, an ice carving demonstration, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Stop by & create a new tradition for the season. Free to attend!
Opening Reception for GOOD THINGS
Join us for the opening reception of GOOD THINGS in the Workshop Gallery as we celebrate original postcards and handmade ornaments crafted by makers and artists from all over.
Stalag Survivor: The P.O.W. Art of Carl H. Holmstrom’s Veteran’s Day Reception and Film Screening
Stalag Survivor: The P.O.W. Art of Carl H. Holmstrom will have a Veteran’s Day Reception and Film Screening featuring a new mini-documentary created by Mike Nagy and Grady Hearn exploring Carl’s legacy through his son, John Holmstrom from 11 am to 2 pm on Monday, November 11th in the Workshop Gallery (with screenings beginning every half hour). We will premiere the film and screen it at half hour intervals. Free parking is available in the lot off Willow Street. Light refreshments will be provided.
EPA Brownfield Application Public Comment Session
This November, per program requirements, Ball & Socket Arts will be hosting an in-person public comment session on the Draft FY24 Application to Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant (https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-funding#c).
Stalag Survivor: The P.O.W. Art of Carl H. Holmstrom Opening Reception
If you had to carry what mattered to you most on a forced march of unknown length across a wintry landscape, would you choose your works of art or food, water and warm clothing? That’s the real-life decision faced by Lt. Carl. H. Holmstrom (1917-1979) in January 1945 as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany.
Holmstrom chose to carry the visual record he’d made of his 28 months in captivity, and Ball & Socket Arts in Cheshire celebrates that decision, and honors Veterans Day, with the exhibition, “Stalag Survivor: The Art of Carl H. Holmstrom,” on view from Oct. 18 to Nov. 24, 2024. Included with the exhibition at Ball & Socket’s Workshop Gallery (493 W. Main St., Bldg. 3) will be the sketches, finished drawings and watercolors from Holmstrom’s time in captivity, mostly at Stalag Luft III, the site of the legendary Great Escape.
Summer Saturdays with Big Fat Combo - New Date
Enjoy a night of outdoor music with a rescheduled edition of Summer Saturdays, a free concert series at the Factory. We’ll kick things off with Ken Safety & The Sophisticatos from 6-7 pm, followed by local legend, Big Fat Combo from 7-8 pm.
Summer Saturdays featuring Goodnight Blue Moon
Featuring bluegrass from Goodnight Blue Moon with opener Brooke Dougan
Free live music on-site from 6-8PM every Saturday night in August in the Building 5 Plaza closest to the Farmington Canal Linear Trail Entrance.
BYO-chair and a picnic supper from one of our neighboring restaurants & enjoy a beautiful evening of music.
Beverages will be sold with all proceeds supporting Ball & Socket Arts. The 2024 Series is supported by our Series Sponsor, Artsplace, and our Presenting Sponsor, Ion Bank Foundation. Counterweight Brewing is our official Beer Sponsor of 2024.
Goodnight Blue Moon:
Blending rich vocal harmonies with lush orchestrations, Goodnight Blue Moon has created a sound that is steeped in tradition, yet entirely current. GNBM is known for their energetic, honest, and dynamic live performances, offering a refreshing take on Americana roots music. https://www.goodnightbluemoon.com/
Opening Act: Brooke Dougan from 6-6:30.
Historical Sign Unveiling
Join our team & our lead historian, Elizabeth Pratt Fox, for an unveiling to dedicate our two new historical signs on-site on Saturday, August 31 from 5:30 to 6 pm in front of Building 5.
Poets @ the Factory
Poets @ the Factory with spoken- word poet Sharmont "Influence" Little and Nadia Sims on August 30th, from 6 – 8 p.m at Ball & Socket Arts
This event will be presented by Connecticut Poetry Society and Cheshire’s own poet laureate, Pat Mottola with an open-mic to follow.
BYO-chair & picnic supper!
Event will be held at the Live @ the Factory Stage in front of Building 5 at Ball & Socket Arts (493 West Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410)
Summer Saturdays
Stop by the plaza for a West Main Music Jam from 6-8 pm on Saturday, August 24th!
This FREE outdoor concert is offered as part of the Summer Saturdays series and rescheduled from our original Make Music Day programming.
Artist Talk with David B. Smith
Artist Talk for Community Garden: Works by David B. Smith in the Workshop Gallery from 11 am to noon on Saturday, August 24.
Hear insights and learn about the artistic process of David B. Smith!
Opening for Community Garden: Works by David B. Smith in the Workshop Gallery
Opening Reception for Community Garden: Works by David B. Smith in the Workshop Gallery from 3-6pm.
Summer Saturdays with jazz from Hank Bolden & friends
Featuring Jazz from living jazz legend and Cheshire resident Hank Bolden (saxophone); Fred Billups on bass; Morris Trent on guitar; Brian Jarawa Gray on percussion; Sam Oliver on drums; Rick Youins on keyboard; and Hank's son, Anthony Bolden (baritone saxophone).
Free live concerts on-site from 6-8PM every Saturday night in August in the Building 5 Plaza closest to the Farmington Canal Linear Trail Entrance.
BYO-chair and a picnic supper from one of our neighboring restaurants & enjoy a beautiful evening of music.
Beverages will be sold with all proceeds supporting Ball & Socket Arts. The 2024 Series is supported by our Series Sponsor, Artsplace, and our Presenting Sponsor, Ion Bank Foundation. Counterweight Brewing is our official Beer Sponsor of 2024.
In the event of rain, we will announce cancellations or location shifts on our website & social media.
Hank Bolden’s Party in the Pews performance in April 2024 was paired with Susan Clinard’s Artist Talk.
Summer Saturdays with Moonrise Cartel
Featuring Moonrise Cartel on Saturday, August 10th
Free live music on-site from 6-8PM every Saturday night in August in the Building 5 Plaza closest to the Farmington Canal Linear Trail Entrance. Please park in the Southern lot (enter on Willow Street)
BYO-chair and a picnic supper from one of our neighboring restaurants & enjoy a beautiful evening of music.
Beverages will be sold with all proceeds supporting Ball & Socket Arts. The 2024 Series is supported by our Series Sponsor, Artsplace, and our Presenting Sponsor, Ion Bank Foundation. Counterweight Brewing is our official Beer Sponsor of 2024.
THE MOONRISE CARTEL
Fueled by songwriter Al Pascarelli’s deeply personal writings of a lifelong battle with mental illness, alcoholism and eventual emergence out of the darker shades of the human experience, this is a band with several gears and one that takes you on an incredible journey. His voice is coupled upfront by Stephanie Harrison who wows with striking vocal prowess, bobbing effortlessly between stunning power and heartbreakingly delicate delivery. Gorgeous layers of ambient color come through Sean O’Reilly with his piano and harp arrangements, often at the same time. Finally, it is all held together on the rock solid backdrop of Benji LeFevre and Steve Tobey on the low end of bass and drums.
Moonrise Cartel