Art in the Meetinghouse: A Season of Hope

Many in this community will remember the annual Arts fair held by the Ridgebury Congregational Church, home to Ridgebury’s historic Meetinghouse.  With a post-pandemic future in sight, the Meetinghouse is re-opening with a focus on the arts, farm & food, and holistic wellness.

Established in 1760 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, The Meetinghouse has played a key role in our nation’s history.  More than that, The Meetinghouse has served as a gathering place for the Ridgebury community.

First to open is the Visual Arts portion with a non-profit two floor art gallery and residency. The first floor will host an art opening, A Season of Hope, as an invitational exhibit of local artists, Nicole Bricker, Leslie Carone, Priscilla Prentice, Clarice Shirvell, Marcia Simha, Dennis Stevens, Trish Wend. Artwork in the show includes landscapes of some favorite local places and still life and floral compositions. These were created to uplift, inspire and spark joy.  The second floor opens with the art of Polly Castor an exhibit titled  The Spiritual Roots of Abstraction.

The Meetinghouse is also launching four residency programs for the Arts, Music, Literature, and Social Entrepreneurism for care of people and planet.   The artist  in residence program will welcome three artists a year, providing studio and allowing for complimentary inspiration through different art forms. First resident is local artist Clarice Shirvell who will provide studio tours along with the gallery opening.

Art Opening Saturday, May, 22^nd  12-4pm

Gallery hours 12-4pm Wednesday - Sunday

The Meetinghouse is located at Ridgebury Congregational Church, 605 Ridgebury Road in Ridgefield (parking and gallery at 602 Ridgebury Road, across the Street).