NEST Arts Factory
4th Annual Earth Day at the NEST
Saturday, April 19th 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Celebrate Earth Day weekend with the NEST Arts Factory! Join us on April 19th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM for a special Earth Day event celebrating sustainability, nature and art!
The NEST will have open studios from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, where our talented creators invite you to explore their art and artistic process. Open studios is followed by an Environmental Learning session with James Calcagnini from Mushroom Microfarm. We'll discuss the fascinating interrelationship between pollinators, trees, and mushrooms.
Live music will start at 5:00 PM with Tristan Connolly on sax, followed at 7:00 PM by Brian Dolzani with Neil Young covers and his own original music. Closing our evening out at 8:00 PM we have Dan Tressler playing Bluegrass and folk music.
Refreshments will be served!
Address: 1720 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT
Honey From the Hive: Hands-on Workshop
Saturday, April 19th 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
This Earth Day be part of the process from hive to bottle. Come help us harvest honey and learn how bees make it in this hands-on experience. Honey from the harvest will be available to purchase!
Earth Month: EnvEYEronmental SurprEYEzes
Internet Docs & Films to Help Mother Nature
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16 | 7:00 PM
We Support Women: Fundraiser for the Center for Family Justice
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 2:00pm-5:00pm
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon…A Celebration of Women in Art! 🖼️
Donate here (click here for instructions).
🎤 Poetry, Music, Art & Performances
🎶 Fundraising for the Center for Family Justice @centerforfamilyjusticect
✨ Date: March 16th
✨ Time: 2p - 5p
✨ Location: @nestartsfactory
1720 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport
This event is a celebration of creativity, empowerment, and giving back to our community. Your presence will help support vital services for women and families in need. 💕
The Nest Monthly Market
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 12:00pm-5:00pm
Join us at the Nest Arts Factory for a vibrant holiday celebration! Enjoy an afternoon of art, culture, local vendors and giveaways!
🅿️ Free street parking available
💰 Donations accepted for musicians
🎟️ Free Event Entry
The Haitian Artist Guild Art Exhibition
Sunday, May 17, 2024 | 4:00pm-8:30pm
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian arts/culture at the Nest Arts Factory!
Enjoy an evening of art, culture and live music!
🅿️ Free street parking available
💰 Donations accepted for musicians
🎟️ Event entry is otherwise FREE!
3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 4:00pm-8:30pm
SAVE THE DATE!
Join our Nest Arts Factory community with ou 3rd annual celebration of Earth Day featuring open studios, visual art from local creatives, live music, film screenings and a cocktail reception!
Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available plus free street parking!
Suggested Donation of $10 will be accepted.
Don't miss an unforgettable performance by jazz singer, Melissa Newman and a celebration of artist John Carnright!
Plus we will close out the evening with the east coast premiere of the environmental documentary film "The Last Resort" directed and produced by Mike Fleischner who will complete a post screening Q+A!
Reggae, Arts, Poetry & Pop Up Music
a celebration of Black History Month
Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 4:00pm-8:00pm
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Black History Month at the Nest Arts Factory!
Indulge in an afternoon of reggae art, live poetry, and pop-up music on Sunday, February 25th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. hosted by Imasiah from WPKN Radio! Immerse yourself in multiple performances, captivating live poetry readings, and a mesmerizing extravaganza of art and culture honoring Black History Month.
🅿️ Free street parking available
💰 Donations accepted for musicians
🎟️ Event entry is otherwise FREE!
Black Art in America
a non-restrictive history of Black Art in Bridgeport and Beyond
Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 4:00pm-8:00pm
SAVE THE DATE!
Join our Nest Arts Factory community for a non-restrictive history of Black Art in Bridgeport and Beyond. Featuring an evening celebration with visual art from local creatives, live music, local vendors, film screenings and a cocktail reception!
Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available plus free street parking!
Artists Include:
Danielle Jea
Wesner Bernadel
Alicia Cobb
Majestic Paul [@majestik_99]
Nicole Paul [@unicole_artistry]
Lance Edward Jr [@earthlyhue]
Sharon Smalls [@smallsdesign]
Elisha Brockenberry
Jean Benoit
Will Corprew
Performers Include:
Mambo Rose
Imusiah
Luke Rodney
Vendors Include:
Gus Bradford
Laurie Rivera [@azizidesignsjewelry]
Park City Harvest [@park.city.harvest.llc]
Film Screening Include:
"IT WAS ALL A DREAM” [23:19]
directed by Aidan Un
produced by Laneshe Miller-White [Bridgeport Native]
Screening at 7pm | Community Room
Follow West Philly based theatre company Theatre in the X
on their journey to present the hit musical Dreamgirls in
a whole new way.
Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available
plus free street parking!
art by Jean Benoit
"It Was All A Dream" film poster
NEST Open Studios
COMING SPRING 2023!
Open Studios, art sale, hands-on activities, great family fun! The NEST Arts Factory is the longest-running working artists studio in Bridgeport, marking over 30 years. Meet the artists, tour their studios, and experience the variety of art and music created in this working studio space. The weekend program offers several hands-on, interactive programs; many are great family-fun activities. Artists’ work of all sizes and materials will be on sale, just in time for the holidays. Also view the work of guest artists, including the Black Rock Art Guild #36, the Bridgeport Portrait Project, and artists in the exhibit “Reconstructed/Deconstructed Still Lifes.” Activities taking place throughout the NEST include busker-style music, hands-on art activities like aromatherapy, mosaic, demos of the ‘lamp work’ technique of glass-blowing, and screenings from the Bridgeport Film Fest #28.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 5:00pm-9:00pm
SAVE THE DATE!
Join our Nest Arts Factory community with a celebration of Earth Day featuring visual art from local creatives, live music, film screenings and a cocktail reception!
Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available plus free street parking!
Suggested Donation of $10 will be accepted.
NEST Open Studios - Sunday May 1st
Sunday, May 1st; 11 am – 5 pm
Meet the NEST artists, tour their studios, and experience the variety of art and music created in this collaborative space. The artists will have work of all sizes for sale.
Live Music
11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Rob Foley, solo piano
3:00 - 5:00 pm: The Swamp Hogs
Earth Day Celebration at NEST - Friday, April 22nd
Friday, April 22nd, 7 PM - 10 PM
Please bring a donation of gently used clothing to donate to local charities serving people in need in our community.
Schedule of evening events:
7:00: Open Mingling
Seed Bomb making demonstration
7:30 Bob Halstead talks about community gardens
8:00 - 10:00 Live music by Terry Hopper and his drum circle
All Evening: Mingle, drink wine, eat snacks, peruse locally made eco-friendly wares!
And don't forget to please bring a donation of gently used clothing to support our community in need.
BLACK STORY MONTH SCHEDULE AT THE NEST:
BLACK STORY MONTH Gallery Opening
Friday, February 11th, 2022; 6 pm
Join us in celebration of who we are and all that we've done. On view is a collaborative gallery, featuring artwork by:
Jean Benoit
Gussie Bradford
Elisha Brockenberry
Sharon Smalls
Warren Bryant
Nicole Grant-Paul
Trey Thomas
Live music by:
Ashley Hines
Vinton Hines
Conway Campbell Jr.
Live Screen Printing by C.A.S.E. (Consulting Agency Specializing in Everything) will also be occurring, with select afrofuturistic graphics available to print. Please feel free to bring a garment to print on!
Catered by Donna Brockenberry
DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST film screening
Friday, February 18th, 2022; 6 pm
In this film, Julie Dash evokes the details of a persisting African culture and the tensions between tradition and assimilation. Cinematography by Arthur Jafa. Join us at the Nest Arts Factory in studio 6 for an evening of observance, followed by discussion!
Please send RSVP email to righteouspath2002@gmail.com noting the number of people in your party.
FREE, $5 suggested donation
Refreshments will be available for sale
SPACE IS THE PLACE film screening
Friday, February 25th, 2022; 6 pm
Join us in celebration of a pioneer in afrofuturism, SUN RA! An afrofuturistic communication about and starring SUN RA and his ARKESTRA!
Join us at the Nest Arts Factory in studio 6 to witness this art and discuss it afterwards.
Please send RSVP email to righteouspath2002@gmail.com noting the number of people in your party.
FREE, $5 suggested donation
Refreshments will be available for sale
GARMENTS AS VESSELS workshop
Saturday, February 26th, 2022; 3pm - 5:30 pm
'Garments as Vessels' Workshop with Elisha Brockenberry sponsored by City Lights / Bridgeport Art Trail.
In this workshop led by Elisha Brockenberry, the designer behind Righteous Path 2002, learn how to prototype garments using unconventional materials. Participants will leave with a draft process build on resourcefulness, as well as their own garment.
Please send RSVP email to righteouspath2002@gmail.com
Spots $10 each
Instructor Bio:
Elisha Brockenberry (b. 2002) is a multidisciplinary creator based in Bridgeport, CT. Their many practices include tailoring, sculpture, painting, musicianship and farming. Their work is in homage to God's natural world, using materials immediately available to reprocess natural concepts.
During the annual Bridgeport Art Trail, the artists and musicians of the NEST will be hosting Open Studios and a Gallery Show. Visitors are invited to stop by, ask questions and see/hear how the art is created. In addition, there will be live music, art demonstrations and much more. Free onsite and street parking is available.
NEST Open Studios & Art Sale
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am – 5 pm
Meet the NEST artists, tour their studios, and experience the variety of art and music created in this collaborative space. The artists will have work of all sizes for sale, just in time for the holidays.
Pop-up Jewelry Boutique
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am – 5 pm
Hand-crafted jewelry, perfect for holiday gift-giving. The NEST boutique will
feature the amazing work of jewelry artists MaryAnn Provey and Amy Bock.
Colorful Collages… Just for Kids
Saturday, November 13; 11 am – 1 pm
Sunday, November 14; 11 am – 1 pm
Calling all kids… Learn about artist Henri Matisse, see his colorful paper collages,
and then create your own collage to take home.
(Please note, this is not a drop-off event.)
BRIDGEPORT ART TRAIL
Date: Saturday, November 13 and Sunday November 14, 2021
TIME: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location:
Nest Arts Factory
1720 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
• Ample adjacent parking lot
and on street parking
SPECIAL EVENTS - SATURDAY, 11/13
The Secret World of Honey
Saturday, November 13; 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
A sensory journey into the secret world of honey. Learn how to taste five
varietal honeys like a sommelier. Workshop is limited to 20 participants.
Adults must accompany children under 15 years of age and share a
tasting plate. Please RSVP via redbeehoney@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Glass Blowing
Saturday, November 13; 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Have you ever seen melted glass transform into art? Experience a live
demonstration of the lamp work style of glassblowing by Jimmi from @strive_glass.
Djeli Village - Storytelling with Puppets
Saturday, November 13, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo and his troupe of Puppets take us back to ancient Afrika, to the
tradition of Oral History. When the Djeli or Griot(story teller) traveled from village to
village, telling the tales and folklore passed down from generation to generation.
P-ART-Y at the NEST & LatinAmericaNa -
Latin/Bluegrass Fusion Concert
Saturday, November 13; 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
View a building full of art and enjoy live music by the Latin Americana ensemble of
Rick Reyes, Dick Neal and friends.
Bridgeport Film Fest Screening
Saturday, November 13, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (doors open at 3:45)
Curators Choice - An intimate afternoon of short films and music video screenings.
SPECIAL EVENTS - SUNDAY, 11/14
Belly Dancing Demo
Sunday, November 14; 1 pm – 2 pm
Prepare to rock the casbah! Experience the ancient art of belly dancing.
Demonstration will be led by Camila Pina in the NEST Community Room.
All ages welcome.
Gallery Talk
Sunday, November 14; 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Local art and art history teacher Mercedes Arensberg, who is also a practicing artist,
will be sharing her insight and passion for art at the NEST. Come join her for a thought-provoking gallery talk regarding the work on exhibit in the NEST Art Gallery during the
Art Trail. Open to all ages.
Bridgeport Film Fest Screening
Saturday, November 13, 3:00 pm - 5:15 pm (doors open at 2:45)
Curators Choice - An intimate afternoon of short films and music video screenings.
