You should travel from far and wide to experience the visual fiesta of fair-trade arts & crafts at…read morethe Mansfield Art Center!! This is a truly local, small, family run business and the owners/shopkeepers have quite the tales to tell... The goods and crafts sold at the Arts Center are collected by the owners who have traveled to all these destinations around the world making connections with the artisans . The items here are more unique and vibrant than I see at a lot of boutique craft/jewelry shops and there is usually an interesting story the shopkeepers can tell about where the items come from/who made them. Just perusing the store feels like a trip around the world (or at least Epcot ) and is genuinely fun. Most locals know to come here for their Holiday gifts though I live in Boston and make a point to come every year! The store is typically open only seasonally as owners are traveling much of the rest of the year- so make it happen this Christmas season. Some good restaurants in nearby Willimantic, UConn on the other side, and the subtle beauty of the Quiet Corner of CT makes a stop here a lovely day trip. Check it out!

The perfect place to find a gift for almost anyone. I did much of my Christmas shopping here and…read moreeveryone loved their gifts. This is the place to find unique gifts and jewlery from all over the world. The owners go all over the world and come back with beautiful items to sell at a very fair price. I love the set up of this store also- differant sections for differant countries from India to Mexico to China. Also, the owners are so friendly. You will most definetly be offered free tea and maybe even cookies too when shopping.

Great art gallery. Amazing artists represented by a curator that is as passionate about the work…read moreas the artists. Not to be missed when visiting Simsbury.

From the owner: Unique original art at Philip Janes Gallery in Granby CT.read more

I took a beginner's clay class with a friend back in March- it was taught by the owner, Bree, who…read morewas knowledgeable, funny, and super sweet! The price for a 2 hour clay class honestly felt like a steal. Bree taught us all the basics- how to wedge clay and roll out a slab with the slab roller machine, how to slip and score, how to work with porcelain clay vs. stoneware clay- it was AMAZING how much she was able to fit into 2 hours, and she did it without rushing. She was patient and explained things very well, and gave a lovely tour of the entire studio. Plus, her dog is adorable and well behaved! I can honestly say that this is one of the best values for your time and money, and with the options to come back and choose a more advanced class if you think that you're ready to try something more difficult. This is definitely a hidden gem- support a local business and spark your creativity here! It's SO worth it!

From the owner: We are a fully functioning art studio. We teach weekly ceramic art clay classes and a watercolor…read morepainting class. Our Mission is to create an artist community in Rockville. Being recognized as an artist district by the state is one goal of our community of artistl. We have a full gallery and Studio 467 currently rents space to artist, has clay artist members, and teaches 13 different clay classes a week for adults and children. We also host private events, corporate team building workshops, other activities and events. Studio 467 in Rockville, CT is a 1930s industrial storefront retrofitted retail space, workshops & studios for artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals seeking space to create, teach, learn and sell. Offering an oppurtunity to be part of the clay and art community.

Beautiful art of all kinds plus the most impressive personal service for custom framing. Forget the…read morebig box framers. I have had expensive disasters despite supposed 50% off coupons. Let the staff here guide your choices within your budget. I own and have gifted EM Dougan art pieces and they stand the test of time with their beauty!

From the owner: Custom picture framing, Original art, Art classes for adults, paint parties,read more

Don't be intimidated! Yes, this is the real deal, tucked away on the cobblestones of Inn Street,…read morebut even though it feels like I'm visiting a museum every time I go in, I am soon lost in the imagination and creativity of every amazing artist on display here. So far, I only have one tiny but utterly breathtaking painting that I was lucky enough to squirrel away from the Churchill Gallery, but I visit my next new painting in their online gallery often. Even when I'm not buying, I'm always asking questions, and the lovely (Belgian?) woman who tolerates me is always very gracious and polite.

This Art Center includes galleries and exhibits displaying unique and beautifully created works of…read moreart. They also offer various classes and learning as well as monthly Drawing opportunities. The Gallery Exhibits are free and open to the public and feature both local and regional artists works. They have a beautiful building, off street parking, and are handicap accessible. Their volunteers are very helpful and informative.

This art center is a hidden, but easy to find gem! Located on the corner of Rte 30 and Center Rd in…read moreVernon, the actual driveway and parking are off Center Road. The center has regular hours on Thursday - Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00. The website is www.vernonarts.org and will let you know about current exhibits, classes, and other events.

Wonderful gallery of modern art, photography, sculpture and more. High ceilings... wonderful…read morespace, great art.. A must stop when staying in or passing through Kent CT.

From the owner: Morrison Gallery is a contemporary art gallery specializing in modern and contemporary art as well…read moreas monumental sculpture in Kent, Connecticut.

Very nice space for a gallery. It's an old freight house for the New Haven Railroad that has…read moreterrific light and open space for all kinds of exhibits.

It's been almost a full year now, since the last posting about Windsor's Art Center and nothing's…read morechanged- they're not open during their posted hours and all my emails have gone unanswered, as have my voicemails. We've tried numerous times after work to try to get in, but they're just not open. We really wanted to see many of the artists' work the were displaying!! I understand that there are a lot of volunteers working there and that emergencies happen, but there really is no excuse for abusing a patron's time and energy by not being open during posted hours and being so disrespectful as to not answer emails or voicemails. Although this place could be the gem of Windsor, it actually is the bane of this patron, who's tired of the noncommunication and wasting half hour rides to get there. Best we go elsewhere to be treated more respectfully and to actually be able to visit an art gallery that's open when it claims to be. Don't bother trying to get into this place.

We are proud to own about 6 of Catherine Elliot's paintings. She is an award winning artist and…read moreshe captures the essence of life (as we would like to to be) here in the Farmington Valley and beyond. For two very special wedding presents, Catherine created paintings from some photographs of some very special landscape scenes. The results were stunning and will be treasured for generations.

From the owner: original oil paintings and commission work, plein air workshops and sell work through galleries…read moreacross the nations and Ireland.