Welcome to October

All About the Arts

Open Studios:

October 12–13

We are thrilled to host the third annual Amplify the Arts Festival at the Eli Whitney Museum Barn!

The work of nine local artists will be featured over the two-day celebration along with live music, poetry, and dance with Beyond the Salt food truck on site to serve up delectable Mediterranean dishes.

Stop by on October 12 from 1–7 p.m. & October 13 from 2–6 p.m. to support our local arts community and enjoy a great event.

Welcome to Kat Wiese, Artist-in-Residence

The museum is excited to announce that Katharen (Kat) Wiese is the new artist-in-residence! Wiese is a multidisciplinary artist from Lincoln, Nebraska, residing in New Haven, Connecticut. She holds a BFA in studio art from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (2018) and an MFA from Yale University (2024). She is also the Community-Engaged Teaching Fellow at the University of New Haven.

Before entering graduate school, Wiese was a community arts organizer in the Everett and Near South Neighborhoods of Lincoln, Nebraska, where she coordinated murals, events, and public projects. Wiese’s artistic background spans figurative painting, printmaking, murals, and collage. Her work has been featured recently in exhibitions at SPURS Gallery (Beijing), the Yale Peabody Natural History Museum (New Haven), Yossi Milo Gallery (New York), David Castillo Gallery (Miami), the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum (Iowa), and Toshkova Fine Art Advisory (Durham, NC).

Check Out More of Kat's Work

Quilts in the Covered Bridge

On Sunday, October 13, from 12 to 4 pm, members of the New Haven Quilt Club will display their quilts inside the covered bridge at the Eli Whitney Museum. There will be a fun and free sewing activity during the display. The New Haven Quilt Club meets monthly at the museum and is open to anyone wanting to learn more about quilting. 

Parking Lot Update

Our bioswale and rain garden project has progressed by leaps and bounds during the last month of construction! In collaboration with GNWPCA, the project utilizes engineered solutions to capture stormwater and runoff to filter pollutants, preventing them from entering the Mill River. In the coming weeks, you will see trees and shrubs planted, but you will have to wait until spring to see the complete planting including a long list of perennials.

The main parking lot will remain closed until paving is completed. Paving is scheduled to begin on October 7. Parking is available at the Carter Studio and across the street at the Barn. Access to the trails is still available via the sidewalk. Please note that we will remain open on the weekends for walk-in projects!

Vacation Programs

Monday, October 14

Tuesday, November 5

Monday, November 11

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

School may not be in session, but learning and creativity are still on the schedule here at the Museum! Before Care (8–9 a.m.) and After Care (3–5:30 p.m.) are available.

If you have questions or a credit from a previous camp year, please email Maddie Ardito at [email protected] or call 203-777-1833 before registering.

Register Now!

This fall, we are offering two adult workshops — Design & Build an Adirondack Chair and Handbuilt Ceramics — taught by talented local craftspeople. Whether you're looking to enhance your woodworking skills or explore your creativity in ceramics, these programs are a unique opportunity for adults seeking a fun and fulfilling experience. Don’t miss out—register now to secure your spot and create something special this season!

Adult workshops are for ages 16 and up.

Register for Adult Workshops

Now Booking Birthday Parties!

Bring your guests, gifts, and snacks and let us handle the venue and entertainment with a special birthday project selected by your child! Birthday parties are available to book on weekends now through May 2025.

"All of our guests had the most wonderful time and the student staff members did a fantastic job!!" — Birthday Party Parent

203-777-1833

[email protected]

Book a Party!

From the President of the Board’s Desk: Important Member Vote

We’ve been conducting a review of the Museum’s governance, and there is an important upcoming vote for members. This vote will update the Certificate of Incorporation to align with how the Museum has operated for years and empower us to modernize our bylaws. These changes will help improve how the Board functions and ensure we're following contemporary recommendations for nonprofit operation.

Learn more about the proposed updates and how you can participate.