Immerse yourself in a world of jellies. From the outside, this new exhibit at Mystic Aquarium resembles a 20-foot-tall sea nettle floating on water. Under its dome, special lighting showcases the fascinating features of six very different jelly species, from moon jellies, often spotted in Long Island Sound, to unusual upside-down jellies and comb jellies, which look like they have electrical currents running through them. Guests can also see how moon jelly polyps are being cultured right at the aquarium. Trickling water from a two-sided water wall inside the exhibit adds to the experience. The wall, sponsored by Aquarion Water Company, features streams of water running over hand-blown glass fish and jellies created by renowned local artist Jeffery P’an of Prescient Studios in Stonington.

 The multiple and converging meanings of the phrase “passing time”—spending time, time to die—are explored in the evocative imagery of recent art by thirteen international artists working in video, photography, sculpture and works on paper.

Some artists turn to sport, some to music; some refer to nature and its rhythms to explore concepts of time—short term, long term and terminating. Others partner with time itself in their making of art.

 Imagine a box of all kinds of ornaments that come to light up the snows of February.

These 45 little images are a late-arriving Christmas gift from the contemporary print culture of Japan—from playful to reflective, from abstract to realist, from symbolic to descriptive.

 Together they are a charming and effective cure for the mid-winter blues.

  With more than 75 paintings on paper, this exhibition reveals the recent work of David Schorr, Wesleyan Professor of Art. Meticulously executed in gouache and silverpoint, the works in this series depict antique apothecary bottles, complete with mysterious labels such as Deep Dark Secrets, Sleepless Nights and Love Remembered. 

For the months of January and February IAIS is proud to present the wampum jewelry of Allen L. Hazard Sr. and Craig Spears Sr. both members  of the Narragansett Nation.  

Allen, who learned the craft from his mother and sister,  is one of the remaining few traditional Wampum bead makers within the Eastern Woodland Nations. 

His beautiful wampum jewelry is created from raw quahog shells cut, shaped and drilled into unique handcrafted pieces.

Craig, a master stone mason by trade, started working with wampum 20 years ago.

His unique ability to bring feathers, eagles and bears alive from quahog shells had placed Craig as a one of a kind wampum artist.

 A exhibition by Syntax, a group of nine mixed media CT artists, is being held at the Stevens Gallery, Homer Babbidge Library, UConn Storrs. Includes displays/demos and de-construction of mixed media methods. Come meet the artists at the opening reception on Sunday, Jan 22 from 2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. Show runs to March 2.

From February 15 to March 4, all ages are eligible to participate in Trumbull’s One Book One Town “United We Stand” poster contest, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. There are three entry categories: Grade school (grades 1-5); Teen (grades 6-12); and Adult.

The theme is based on the concept of strength in unity can be traced all the way back to one of Aesop's fables, in which he shows that sticks one by one may be readily broken, but cannot when several are bound together in a bundle.  Lincoln's “House Divided” Speech is linked to this universal theme and is inextricably connected to the U.S. Civil War. Pick up your poster application at the Main Library.

Completed posters must be returned to Trumbull Library Sunday, March 4, 5:00 p.m. Winners will be announced one week after the contest ends.

Over 20 events accompany our community-wide read of Charles Frazier's sweet and sorrowful Cold Mountain. For details, follow us on Twitter: @trumbulllibrary, 'like' us on Facebook, or visit www.trumbullct-library.org

Louise Harrison, sister of George Harrison, presents the Liverpool Legends live in concert to benefit the Middletown Music Department. Louise developed a program called "Help Keep Music Alive" in honor of her late brother, George Harrison. The Liverpool Legends headlines in Branson, Mo 5 nights a week (seasonally) and tours the country off season providing music departments with this unique wat to rasie money for much needed music education funding.

Odysseus D.O.A.

February 23 – March 4, 2012

By Stephen Svoboda
Regional Premiere
Nafe Katter Theatre

Experience the Odyssey re-imagined: a magical place where the blind see, the sick love and drag queens become goddesses. As the final stages of his disease bend his vivid imagination, Elliot becomes the legendary hero Odysseus determined to bring his crew-his fellow patients on the AIDS ward-home despite all the obstacles the gods throw in his way. This wise, heartfelt drama charts one man's heroic quest for Kleos - Glory, to live a life worthy of being remembered. Playwright Stephen Svoboda will direct his work in its regional premiere. Critic Martin Denton calls this a "majestic play… poetic, surreal and wonderfully humorous."

Guilford Art Center's Faculty Exhibition features works in all media by artists who have taught at the Center during the past two years: paintings, sculpture, pottery, weaving, jewelry, mixed media and more. Admission is free; hours are Monday through Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm.