New Britain Museum of American Art offers adult and children art classes, music, and social events all throughout April

During the month of April, the New Britain Museum of American Art is excited to offer a wide variety of educational programs and social events, including an Access for All Community Day on Saturday, April 20, with Free Admission all day. And on Friday, April 19, from 6-9 p.m., the NBMAA is excited to present this year’s Craft Sippin’ in New Britain beer tasting event. Throughout the month, the Museum has a full roster of Studio Classes, Films, Concerts, and Tours related to our permanent collection and current special exhibitions.

Adult Studio | Watercolor with Mary Smeallie

Adult Studio | Watercolor with Mary Smeallie
Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 1-3 p.m.
Do you pale at the sight of a clean sheet of watercolor paper? Do you mix colors and wonder why it looks like mud? This class will demystify the somewhat intimidating medium of watercolor. We’ll start from scratch. We’ll discuss types of paper, pigments, color mixing, and glazing, as well as tricks and techniques. Work from subject matter such as still life, landscape, florals, abstraction, and any other subject matter that inspires you. This class is for beginners to intermediate. There will be demonstrations, critiques, and plenty of one-on-one to benefit the learning process. Please bring a spirit of experimentation and play. Leave your fears of making a mistake at home! Click here to register

Studio@4 | Art & Nature (Ages 9-12)

Studio@4 | Art & Nature (Ages 9-12)
Thursdays, April 4, 18, 25, 4-5:30 p.m.

Studio@4 exposes kids ages 9-12 to various art-making processes and techniques. Join us on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. each month to work with different guest artists and master a new medium!

During the month of April, young artists will be able to explore the colorful world of nature! From growing our own plant friend to creating nature-inspired pieces that are influenced by artwork that is currently on view.

April’s Art & Nature class will be taught by Angel Bleggi, Manager of Art Studio Education.

Click here to register

Yoga – An Artful Practice at the NBMAA

Yoga – An Artful Practice at the NBMAA
Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25, 6-6:45 p.m.

Agha’s sculptures are created from intricately cut steel illuminated by a single light source—dramatically filling the room with ornate patterns of light and shadow. Agha’s work weaves together complex themes of global politics, social and gender roles, and mass media while simultaneously creating a contemplative, welcoming space that draws you in.

Click here to register

First Friday | Already Gone Eagles Tribute

First Friday | Already Gone Eagles Tribute
Friday, April 5, 5:30-8 p.m.

Our signature social event features live music, art, food, spirits, and good friends. New Britain’s best Happy Hour, since 1995!

Cash bar available; access to Museum galleries is included with your ticket.

Event doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Please note: The venue has capacity for several hundred with limited seating available and a full dance floor. The rest of the space is dedicated for standing room only. Please arrive early for a better chance of securing chairs.

Click here to register.

Walk-In Tour | Museum Masterpieces

Walk-In Tour | Museum Masterpieces
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Dive into highlights of the NBMAA’s permanent collection on this hour-long Docent-led tour.

Click here to register

Art Start (Ages 3-5)

Art Start (Ages 3-5)
Saturdays, 11-11:45 a.m.

This program helps caregivers and young children discover art together in the Museum. Listen to a story and then explore line, shape, color, and other elements of art with teaching artist Kathy Lotko. Kathy holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Art Education. She taught Art in the Berlin School System at both the Elementary and Middle School levels, as well as Integrated Language Arts. She is a Docent at NBMAA and comes to us with 28 years of teaching experience. She combines literacy with various artistic media to develop her innovative weekly programs that enhance the child’s experience here at the Museum.

Click here to register

Art Explorers (Ages 6-8)

Art Explorers (Ages 6-8)
Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Art Explorers with Suzy Balay is back this November! Students learn to express their creativity using varied art methods and materials to create personal works of art inspired by Museum pieces. Explore a different area of the collection with new projects each week.

Click here to register

Adult Studio | Flower Painting Workshop with Edith LaMonica

Adult Studio | Flower Painting Workshop with Edith LaMonica
Sunday, April 7, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

This class is for beginners and practiced painters who want to express their love of flowers.

Our model will be a colorful bouquet of real flowers to inspire your imagination to celebrate their uplifting beauty. We will begin by noticing the various flower shapes, colors, and textures. Then we will discuss our observations. By exploring our thoughts and sharing ideas, the class will gain creative insight about the many ways of interpreting flowers in paint.

Focused on self expression in any style from realist to abstract, this class will emphasize composition, painting techniques, and the magical power of color. We will review a variety of design and painting methods. The bright colors of blossoms quickly turn a frown into a smile.

Click here to register.

April Vacation Week

April Vacation Week
April 10, 11, 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Spend the mornings at the NBMAA! From 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the Museum will offer hands-on activities themed around our current special exhibitions and newly on view permanent collection pieces, plus indoor floor games (outdoors weather permitting). Ages 6-12.
Click here to register.

Tour | Slow Art Day

Tour | Slow Art Day
Saturday, April 13, 1 p.m.

Slow down and enjoy time in the galleries carefully looking at a few works of art with an NBMAA Docent. Learn to look slowly, think deeply, and see things differently while making discoveries about works of art. This meditative approach to art uses simple mindfulness techniques that have proven to increase mental well-being and promote healthy living.

Click here to register.

Sunday Music Series | New Britain Symphony

Sunday Music Series | New Britain Symphony – The Beatles String Quartet
Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m.

“Members Sit First” at select music programs, including this one! Members, please have your Membership card handy at the entrance to the performance space. Once Members are seated, the doors will open for the general public, and seating will be first come, first served. Seating capacity is limited to 120.

Concert attendees must register at the Front Desk upon arrival. Museum Members are free, and Museum guests are welcome with purchase of a Museum admission ticket.

All shows begin at 3 p.m.; doors to event space will open at 2:30 p.m.

Please note: Library Passes are not valid for programs, classes, or musical performances.

Craft Sippin’ in New Britain

craft sipping at New britian museum of american art in new britian connecticut — Craft Sipping’ in New Britian

Craft Sippin’ in New Britain
Friday, April 19, 6-9 p.m.

The NBMAA will once again assemble some of the best breweries in CT for our ever-popular “Craft Sippin’ in New Britain.”

The NBMAA will once again assemble some of the best breweries in CT for our ever-popular “Craft Sippin’ in New Britain.” Enjoy tasting Connecticut’s finest craft beers, a walking taco bar, and the MLB game on the big screen!

Click here to register.

Access for All Community Day | Art, Nature, and Poetry

Access for All Community Day | Art, Nature, and Poetry
Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

FREE Admission all day!

Join us at the Museum as we explore connections between artists and the environment through interactive activities. In aligning with National Poetry Month, we will also be offering poetry writing prompts for families that take inspiration from artworks on view. There will be art-making, music, and performances from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Click here to register.

Adult Studio | Take Great Photos with Your Smartphone with Peter Glass

Adult Studio | Take Great Photos with Your Smartphone with Peter Glass
Saturdays, April 20 & 27, 1-4 p.m.

The quality of smartphone cameras is improving rapidly. In many situations, they can replace the need for traditional digital SLRs. It therefore is no longer necessary to constantly drag around a large, heavy camera because you’re afraid of missing that great photo opportunity. A good quality smartphone camera can often work equally well.

This is a class for those interested in producing high-quality images with their smartphone cameras. That means moving away from the Auto Mode, where control of the camera by you is almost nonexistent, to the Manual or Shutter Priority Modes. The result will be that you, the photographer, will now be in full control of how your images will turn out. And that control will mean much improved photographs.

Click here for more information and to register.

Adult Studio | The Fundamentals of Plein-air Painting with Mike Berlinski

Adult Studio | The Fundamentals of Plein-air Painting with Mike Berlinski
Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For beginners to advanced artists.

This workshop will go over the basics of painting outdoors. Including composition, values, and color theory. It will cover the importance of proper observation, lighting, and learning to identify key elements in a landscape. Color mixing, application, and personal expression will also be discussed. There will be plenty of one on one help for each student. Taught by an accomplished professional plein-air painter.

Click here to register.

Film | The Shakers

The Shakers at New Britain Museum of American Art in new Britain, Connecticut in April 2024 — The Shakers

Film | The Shakers
Sunday, April 21, 2 p.m.

A poignant film by Ken Burns portrays 200 years of Shaker life in America, guided by recollections of three surviving members and archival material. Explore every aspect of a strange, noble sect that produced some of the greatest architecture and furniture in U.S. history. This story of devotion, invention, ingenuity, simple crafts, and dance was filmed at existing Shaker locations, with music re-created from authentic songs.

Click here to register.

Fryderyk Chopin Society of Connecticut | Shai Wosner

Fryderyk Chopin Society of Connecticut | Shai Wosner
Sunday, April 28, 3 p.m.

“Members Sit First” at select music events, including this one. Museum Members and Chopin Society Members will be seated first. Please line up in the LIC entrance and have your Membership card handy. Once Members are seated, the doors will open for the general public, and seating will be first come, first served. Seating capacity is limited to 120.

Concert attendees must register at the Front Desk upon arrival. Museum Members are free, and Museum guests are welcome with purchase of a Museum admission ticket.

All shows begin at 3 p.m.; doors to event space will open at 2:30 p.m.

Please note: Library Passes are not valid for programs, classes, or musical performances.

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