Pequot Library Announces Diverse March Program Schedule

FAIRFIELD, CT — Pequot Library has announced a slate of public programs for March, most of them free, with several tied to the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial.

The library, at 720 Pequot Ave. in Southport, said it will spotlight early American decorative arts as part of programming connected to the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Among the featured events is “Art History Lecture | The Artists of the American Revolution,” scheduled for March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Other semiquincentennial-themed programs include a March 19 day trip to Yale University Art Gallery, a Revolutionary-era printmaking workshop for students in grades 3-5 on March 24 at 4:30 p.m., and a March 26 lecture, “Cabinetmaking in Federal Hartford | New Research on Connecticut Furniture.”

On March 3 at 2 p.m., the library’s Special Collections staff will host a behind-the-scenes program featuring rare books and manuscripts from its collections. Attendance is limited, and registration is required.

A March 12 program at 6 p.m. will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of author Jane Austen. Christine Catallo, the library’s director of library services, will present an illustrated talk on Austen’s life and work. The event will include refreshments, and Regency-era attire is encouraged.

The Lenihan School of Irish Dance will return to the library on March 14 at 10:30 a.m. for a performance and introductory lesson open to all ages. Later that day, at 1 p.m., the library will offer a guided tour of its exhibition “Print Revolution: Pamphlets, Persuasion, and the Path to Independence,” part of a monthly second Saturday series.

Also on March 14 at 1 p.m., teens can participate in an architectural drawing workshop led by instructors from One River Art School, focusing on one-point perspective and the library’s historic building.

The March 19 visit to the Yale University Art Gallery includes a private tour of its American Decorative Arts and American Paintings and Sculpture collections, as well as two special exhibitions, “Keeping Alive the Remembrance: Commemorating America’s Founding, 1776-1876” and “American Impressionism.” The $50 fee covers the tour and lunch.

Singer-songwriter Brian Dolzani is scheduled to perform at the library on March 19 at 6 p.m.

On March 21 at 1 p.m., the Westport School of Music will present a student chamber music concert featuring a “side-by-side” format in which students perform alongside professional musicians.

That same day, from 1 to 4 p.m., the library will serve as a stitching venue for America’s Tapestry, a project consisting of 13 embroidered panels representing the original colonies. Participants of all skill levels are invited to contribute to the Connecticut panel in a drop-in session.

The Revolutionary Printmaking Workshop on March 24 will introduce students in grades 3-5 to block printing techniques used during the Revolutionary era, including imagery such as the “Join, or Die” motif.

The month concludes with the March 26 lecture by independent researchers Kevin G. Ferrigno and Christine Ritok, who will discuss cabinetmaking in Federal-era Hartford, including the work of the Aaron Chapin and Aaron Colton shops.

About Pequot Library:

Founded in 1889, Pequot Library’s mission is to enrich lives by serving the cultural, educational,
and intellectual needs of the entire community. Its annual programs for adults and children serve
more than 58,000 participants a year. As a public association library 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, the library relies on the generosity of individual donors and foundations, special
event fundraisers, grants, corporate and community partners, and Friends of Pequot Library
memberships. Follow Pequot Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.