he official arrival of summer brings with it the unshakeable desire to get out of the house and do something — especially when the kids are out of school. Whether you’re looking for a weekend adventure to explore new destinations or want to take a day off to enjoy some of the summer break with your children, the Connecticut Art Trail has plenty to offer. Visit any of our 24 member museums and you’ll find awe-inspiring exhibitions, family-friendly festivals, artist talks, and much more. Don’t forget: there’s still time to make it the start of a longer adventure when you pick up a Passport-Journal for free admission to each site on the Trail!

In our latest newsletter, we take a look at some of the great exhibitions and events you can visit with your family this summer. We also take a look at what you can discover at two of our member sites: The American Mural Project and Five Points Arts.

School is nearly out, the days are still getting longer, and everyone’s eager to get out of the house and enjoy the season. The Connecticut Art Trail is happy to help you make the most of your summer weekends and vacations. Our 24 member sites offer a full range of activities, ranging from guided tours in air-conditioned galleries to summer concerts and festivals on well-kept grounds. There’s still time to pick up a Passport-Journal to get free admission to all of these sites and qualify for our grand prize giveaway. Enjoy the season; make it a creative one!

In our latest newsletter, we take a look at upcoming events and exhibitions as well as special promotions available this summer. We also look into the fascinating histories of the Yale Center for British Art and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

With hotter-than-average temperatures expected this summer, the Connecticut Art Trail is kicking off the summer with a “Keep Your Cool” campaign.

The 23 member museums and cultural sites on the Connecticut Art Trail are hosting a wide variety of programs throughout the summer, including artistic courses, musical performances, book clubs, film screenings, scavenger hunts, and yoga. There are also several seasonal festivals returning this summer.

The Connecticut Art Trail is promoting these events as a way for residents and visitors to enjoy enriching and interesting activities while escaping the summer heat. Forecasts are predicting with high probability that temperature across New England will be higher than average this year, with a significant likelihood of an above-average number of rain events as well.

“It’s always a great time to visit one of the sites on the Connecticut Art Trail, but they can be particularly inviting during a hot summer,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. “Our museums provide wonderful programming and exhibitions in comfortable air-conditioned galleries during sweltering days or rainy days, or a great way to wind down after a hot day at the beach.”

The Connecticut Art Trail is again offering its Passport-Journal program (formerly known as the Passport) offering free admission to all member sites along with other perks. The Passport-Journal can be purchased for $35 at any member site or online at ctarttrail.org. Anyone who visits all 23 sites in a calendar year is eligible for a grand prize giveaway of an overnight stay for two and a one-hour couples massage at the Delamar Hotel of their choice.

Some special summer events on the Connecticut Art Trail include:

• Music on the Great Lawn, June 22 – August 31, Greenwich Historical Society: A weekly performance of local musicians at the great lawn and gardens  of the Greenwich Historical Society.
• Arazzo Music Festival, June 24, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: The season finale of the Arazzo Music Festival includes an exciting evening of chamber music centered around Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quintet No. 2, Op. 87 and Paul Wiancko’s American Haiku.
• Norwalk Arts Festival at MoCA, June 24-25, MoCA Westport: This two-day festival features a juried art and craft festival and an international food court.
• Connecticut Historic Gardens Day, June 25: Several sites on the Connecticut Art Trail are recognizing this occasion, including Florence Griswold Museum, Hill-Stead Museum, and Weir Farm National Historic Park.
• Art Summer Nights, July 13 and August 10, New Britain Museum of American Art: These special Thursday evening events include activities like live music, lawn games, artist talks, and craft workshops. 
• From the Porch, July 17 – August 30, Hill-Stead Museum: A summer series featuring opera, dance, and song. Bring a chair or blanket to set up in the sunken garden and enjoy the show!
• Guild Summer Salon, July 22 – August 24, Silvermine Arts Center: An annual exhibition celebrating works by the Silvermine Guild of Artists in painting, sculpting, printmaking, mixed media, and fiber art.
• Midsummer Festival, July 28-29, Florence Griswold Museum: As part of Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival, the Florence Griswold Museum is hosting a concert by The Savage Brothers, a “Parading Paws” dog show, free art exhibitions, and a sale on gift items.
• A Summer Miscellany From the Collection, through August 26, University of St. Joseph Art Museum: This exhibition includes a range of summer scenes from the museum’s collection, including seascapes, drawings, photography, and portraits.