While we all practice our safe social distancing there’s no reason to shy away from art, especially when you can view galleries (near and far) online. Here’s a round up of local galleries’ digital options.
Free film screening
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival hasn’t made any changes for its sixth annual festival (slated for Aug. 27-30) so far. They’re keeping a close eye on the pandemic and state guidelines. In the interim, for folks stuck at home who have already exhausted all the good TV and films in their queues MNFF suggests “The Return of Richard III on the 924am Train,” produced by Alexis Bougon. This film won the MNFF 5 Best Narrative Feature. The film is streaming for free on Vimeo for the next few months.
Blues Jam with Tom Caswell Wednesday nights
Local bluesman Tom Caswell is hosting a live stream blues jam every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on Facebook. Check it out @TheTomCaswellBluesBand page.
Sarah King Sings Thursday nights
Ripton musician Sarah King is hosting a live streaming series on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. 
Thursday April 23, see Sarah perform on YouTube.
Thursday April 30, she’ll be on Facebook.
She also recorded a COVID19 PSA parody of Dolly Parton’s Jolene earlier in April. Check it out here.
Deborah Holmes, Bristol
Commission a piece from Deborah Holmes or take a tour of her home-gallery. Get in touch by visiting deborahholmeswatercolors.com, emailing [email protected] or call (802) 453-8511. You can also follow her on Facebook @DeborahHolmes.
Edgewater Galleries, Middlebury
Edgewater plans to stick to its spring schedule with its April (or possibly April and May shows) exhibited entirely online. Going up now is “Sight Seeing,” a group show with Elizabeth Hoag, Kathryn Milillo and Julia Purinton. Coming in May is “Perspectives,” a group show with Jane Davies, Jon Olsen, and Alexis Serio. By June, the gallery hopes to have its doors open again for two shows: “Reflections,” a group show with Kathleen Kolb, Lori Mehta and Karen O’Neil; as well as “3 Solos: One Gallery,” featuring Hannah Bureau, Sara Katz, and Jill Matthews. More info at edgwatergallery.com.
Middlebury Studio School, Middlebury
Alphabet Illuminated: Flowers and fairies art project
Make your own illuminated manuscript — a manuscript in which the text is enhanced with decoration such as initials, borders and miniature illustrations.
Collage project: using magazines and mixed media 
A collage may sometimes include magazine and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paint, bits of colored or handmade papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas. The origins of collage can be traced back hundreds of years, but this technique made a dramatic reappearance in the early 20th century as an art form of novelty.
Complete a project? Take a picture, and send it to Barb Nelson at Middlebury Studio School ([email protected]). She’ll post all the creations in a gallery on their website.
Town Hall Theater, Middlebury
The Quarantine Sessions, a series of short videos showcasing THT all-stars, are continuing. Check the THT’s social media channels, Facebook @townhalltheatervt; Instagram @thtmidd and compiled on their website. MCTV will also be broadcasting these mini shows.
Here’s the line up from this week (you can watch performances from earlier in the week online, too):
Monday, April 27: Sadie Brightman, Middlebury Community Music Center executive director sings with her girls
Tuesday, April 28: Walt Deverell, former THT treasurer and local CPA tells a joke
Wednesday, April 29: Sarah Heath, sings “Good Girl Winnie Foster” from Middlebury Community Players’ Tuck Everlasting
Thursday, April 30: Jorge Martin, composer and THT board member, plays “But I Love You” on the piano
Friday, May 1: Videos from the Vault: Joe & Sekou, a folk, funk, hip-hop duo, who rocked the THT stage circa 2015
Saturday, May 2: Lakou Mizik’s Steeve Valcourt shares a song about change from Haiti
Sunday, May 3: Moose Crossings, virtual jazz ensemble featuring THT Technical Director Joe Plotts
THT is also hosting Met Opera Nightly Streams and National Theatre programming.
World Collage Day, International
World Collage Day will be May 9. Never heard of it? Not too surprising, it was started just two years ago by Ric Kasini Kadour, an artist who formerly lived in Shoreham and now lives and works in Montreal and Louisiana. 
Artists need to get creative to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ideas include making and sharing Collage Starter Kits with their neighbors, installing collage exhibitions in street facing windows, and hosting online collage making events. Artists are invited to submit their projects before May 1 at kolajmagazine.com.
Free Online Art Lessons with Lillian Kennedy, Vergennes
Refresh your spirit with fearless drawing and painting. Learn how at weeklyartlesson.com.
Vergennes artist Lillian Kennedy puts up a new Staycation Art Lesson on the website each week. The older lessons remain available for everyone to access. All levels of experience welcome. All you need is a pencil and paper.
The lessons are designed to bring mindfulness and pleasure into your life through seeing and expressing.