Thursday, December 12  |  6PM
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join designer Francisco Irala, the visionary behind iconic holiday decor, as he brings his unique magic to the Arts Council of Princeton. Francisco will share expert tips on decorating with flair and creativity, all while you enjoy festive food and drinks (including a hot chocolate bar provided by Samira Ghani of Slice of Gourmet).

Sunday, November 17 |  4-5:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Free

The Handpan, a mesmerizing percussion instrument originating in Switzerland, is crafted from two metal hemispheres featuring a central resonant hole and a circle of carefully tuned tonal fields. Known for its warm, soulful resonance, the Handpan produces a wide array of rich, soothing sounds through gentle finger tapping and gliding, blending melody and rhythm in a single instrument. Its unique tonal qualities make it an ideal choice for meditation music, world music, and contemporary genres alike.

Join us for this special lecture led by renowned percussionist Shiqi Zhong, a virtuoso in both the Handpan and other innovative percussion techniques. In this session, Shiqi will share the history, structure, and playing techniques of the Handpan, offering live demonstrations that reveal the depth and charm of this extraordinary instrument. There will also be a chance to try playing it yourself in an interactive session designed for musicians of all levels, from novices to enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the meditative and harmonious sounds of the Handpan firsthand!

Event held in partnership with the Chinese Musicians Association of North America and the Princeton Active Circle.

Sunday, November 17  |  3pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join Wendy Kvalheim, President and design director of Mottahedeh & Company and author of Splendid Settings: 100 years of Mottahedeh Design  for an exploration of the history and evolution of porcelain, its significance in gatherings, and its impact on table settings through the ages. Enjoy high tea on Mottahedeh porcelain while admiring stunning Chinese, European, and American porcelain images.

Thursday, November 7  |  6pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join us for a captivating one-hour talk titled “The Art of Thriving in a Toxic World.” In this enlightening lesson, you’ll gain valuable insights into how chemicals in everyday products can impact your health and how to combat them! Melissa Hall Klepacki, M.Ac. will guide you through simple yet powerful swaps you can make in your daily life to reduce your exposure to harmful ingredients. Armed with actionable information, you’ll be empowered to take control of your well-being and embark on a journey towards a healthier and more vibrant life. Don’t miss this opportunity to thrive in a toxic world. Reserve your spot today and start living a healthier, chemical-conscious lifestyle.

*Each participant will have the opportunity to win a gift basket brimming with all-natural, toxin-free products!

Monday, November 4  |  6-7:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join us for a screening of a selection of short films, all related to the art and power of architecture. Plus a talk and Q&A with renowned architect, Darguin Fortuna. This event is held in partnership with Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design, the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), Thoft Architecture, KSS Architects, and Michael Graves architecture.

Short film screening list:
Architecture: A documentary film that explores the architectural studio
Architect Liz Diller on the High Line
The East Point Project
A Building Shaped by Light: Austin Central Library
The Change We Seek

Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB, is a renowned architect from Jima Abajo, La Vega, Dominican Republic, and the first Dominican-born architect to win the Young Architect Award in Washington, DC. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Boston Architectural College, Fortuna co-founded Flow Design Architects, with offices in Massachusetts and the Dominican Republic. His firm is celebrated for its innovative and inclusive designs, boasting over 20,000 YouTube subscribers.

An adjunct professor at the Boston Architectural College, Fortuna inspires students of all ages and advocates for diversity in architecture. He has served on the AIA Small Firm Exchange and as a Licensing Advisor for NCARB. His accolades include the 2022 AIA Film Challenge People’s Choice Award, Boston Magazine’s Rising Star Award, and multiple Latino Excellence Awards. Fortuna’s dedication to community service and mentorship continues to shape the future of architecture.

Monday, October 28  |  5:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Wednesday, October 23 | 12pm-9pm (full day trip)
@ Princeton, NJ to Manhattan, NY

Join the Arts Council of Princeton for an unforgettable New York City experience! We’ll be attending Alicia Keys’ brand new, Tony Award-winning musical, Hell’s Kitchen. Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Maleah Joi Moon stars in this unforgettable show, loosely based on Alicia Keys’ coming-of-age experiences in Hell’s Kitchen. The production features brand new music by Alicia Keys alongside her soulful, iconic hits. After the show, enjoy an exclusive dinner with co-producer and former ACP Board Member and Witherspoon Jackson resident, Dana Hughes Moorhead (and other special additions!) at the Brooklyn Chophouse, co-owned by legendary hip hop producer, Robert Cummins. Ticket price includes performance ticket, dinner and transportation to and from NYC from the Arts Council of Princeton.

Tuesday, October 1  | 5:30-7pm  |  FREE
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at New Jersey farming and sample a range of delicious, local farm products. Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Wengryn, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society and representatives from the New Jersey farming community will provide an in-depth view of the daily challenges and triumphs experienced by New Jersey farmers. Additionally, we will explore the future of farming in New Jersey and the innovative approaches being adopted to ensure sustainability and growth.

Thursday, September 12 at 6pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Join Miles Franklin, a Vintage Consultant at H1912 Jewelers in Princeton, for an interactive seminar in which jewelry as a form of art will be interrogated. In addition to framing jewelry within the context of art and art history, Miles will discuss the major periods of jewelry, talk about current points of interest including “investment collecting”, and give advice on how to identify quality jewelry and how to start a varied and well-rounded collection of your own. Making extensive use of Marjan Unger’s “Jewellery in Context”, Miles will introduce novel ways of thinking about the 100,000+ year history of the jewel.

Thursday, September 26  |  12-1PM
FREE

Bring your lunch and listen to master weaver, Dorica Jackson, discuss her experiences with chilkat weaving. She will detail her early discoveries and recent commissions. On view will be leggings and the Chilkat Dancing Robe she made for world renowned totem pole carver, Nathan Jackson. 

August 1 |  5:30 to 7:30
SOLD OUT

Join Marc, the owner of Ooika for an immersive journey into the world of Matcha! Learn the fascinating history, intricate production methods, and cultural significance of this traditional Japanese tea. Perfect for tea enthusiasts and those curious about Japanese culture, this course offers a unique blend of education and hands-on experience, where you’ll get to grind, and drink, your own matcha with an authentic stone mill.

Wednesday, July 31  |  6-7:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

SOLD OUT

Thursday, June 13  |  5:30-7pm
SOLD OUT

A well composed taco is a work of art! Sample homemade tacos and margaritas with Viridiana Martinez Weiss, owner of La Lupita Groceries in Princeton. A perfect pairing for a festive summer evening!

Sunday, June 9 |  2-3:30pm  |  Family friendly
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

For all ages 10 and up 

Join artist Jacqui Alexander for an afternoon of chemistry & creativity in the ART OF Cyanotype. Cyanotype is a basic photographic process that uses the sun’s UV rays to create shadowy silhouettes against a vibrant blue background. Learn all about the technique—which dates back to the 1840s—before trying your hand at creating cyanotype printed cloth napkins or scarves using your own found and gathered objects. Ideas of what to bring: pressed flowers or leaves, feathers, shells, jewelry or trinkets, lace, small toys, cut paper stencils… anything that can lay flat to create a silhouette on your surface!

Thursday, May 9 |  5:30-7:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

Explore the rich cultural heritage and diverse forms of Indian Music with international singer and classical musician, Rashika Ranchan.This performance and talk, designed to be informative and interactive, will encompasses different genres, such as, Hindustani Classical, Gazal, Bhajan, Folk, Thumri, Sufi and Film (Bollywood) music. Enjoy this journey of the art, intellectual depth and beauty of Indian music. Lite Indian fare will be served and participants will enjoy a 20% discount (up to $25) after the event at Dvaraka indian Cuisine, located just down the street from the Arts Council of Princeton at 36 Witherspoon Street.

About the Artist
Rashika Ranchan presents unique dimensions and various genres of Indian and contemporary music on stage, tv and at arts & academic institutions across US, UK, Singapore and India. She is also a global social impact changemaker and a leader in strategic philanthropy.

Saturday, March 16  |  7-9pm 
@ The Lewis Center for the Arts

Enjoy a captivating evening of song and spoken word with Pulitzer Prize winning poet Paul Muldoon and his band Rogue Oliphant at the dazzling Lewis Center for the Arts. Lounge and listen, meet fellow music lovers, and sample whiskeys from our tasting table.

Rogue Oliphant, a rock band based in New York and New Jersey, features an intriguing line up of talented musicians including Chris Harford, Ray Kubian, David Mansfield, Cait O’Riordan and Warren Zanes. The band’s third studio album, Highlights of the Low Life, was released in 2022.

Muldoon has published fifteen collections of poetry and won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the T. S. Eliot Prize. At Princeton University he is currently both the Howard G. B. Clark ’21 University Professor in the Humanities and Founding Chair of the Lewis Center for the Arts. He held the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry from 1999 to 2004 and has also served as president of the Poetry Society (UK) and Poetry Editor at The New Yorker.

Sunday, March 10  |  3-4:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Alex Pimentel, chocolate connoisseur and owner of Brava Chocolates, will guide this artisanal chocolate making workshop using organic cacao from Peru. Design and make your own custom gourmet chocolate bars to take home! Event designed for families with children ages 10 and up. 

Sunday, March 3   |   3-6pm
@ the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton

We are delighted to be partnering once again with the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton to host an exciting ART OF! Please join us for the “ART OF Contemplating Spirituality and Art” as a range of religious and spiritual leaders discuss the tradition of using art to express the spiritual and the sacred. This event will also feature delicious bites, local art vendors, and an opportunity to get a customized Arabic name calligraphy by artist, Faraz Khan.

Click here to check out list of speakers.

Friday, February 23  |  5:30-7pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Learn ways to strengthen your immune system and keep your mood buoyant during the coolest and darkest months of the year. Join herbalist Dawn Petter from Petalune Herbals to nurture your inner sparkle and boost your immune system with foods and herbal remedies for your daily routine to support your health throughout the winter. Recipes, tastings, and a take home remedy made in class will be included.

Thursday, February 8  |  7-8:30pm  |  BYOB
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Bring your favorite beverage to sip while chocolate connoisseur, Alex Pimentel of Brava Chocolates helps you design and make your own custom gourmet chocolate bars! Ages 21+.

Tuesday, January 23  |  6-7:30pm
@ The Arts Councol of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Learn to craft cocktails like 3BR mixologists. 

Join us to explore the art of crafting two distinct cocktails, highlighting the four essential products within 3BR’s artfully crafted lineup. Enjoy an expert-led tasting featuring 3BR Distillery premium offerings—MENDEL 100% Pea Vodka, KOFI bourbon barrel-aged coffee liqueur, GINGER BEAR ginger honey liqueur, and CHILITROIKA 3 pepper spiced liqueur—setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of their unique flavors.

Attendees will be greeted with a welcome cocktail, the Gingerbread Espresso Martini. Attendees will then learn about 3BR spirits through two craft cocktails: a Pomegranate Spiced Gimlet and a seasonal Old Fashioned. We will also use these cocktails to explore their most recent seasonal release — a collaboration with Beach Bee Meadery, the 010 HONEY distillate. Throughout the session, emphasis will be placed on refining shaking and stirring techniques, ensuring participants grasp the art of mixology at its finest.

To wrap up the experience, each attendee will leave with an exclusive bag of goodies, including a 375 mL bottle of MENDEL vodka.

Sunday, January 14   |   3-4:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Join world renowned crossword puzzle author, Mangesh Ghogre, for bagels and coffee as he guides us through the fascinating world of American crossword puzzles. Mangesh has been published in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, just to name a few.

The event will feature a refresher on crossword-solving basics, exploring different theme types, discover the joy of cute clues and make our own crossword! In this age of artificial intelligence, we promise this event will be a refreshing change to experience our natural intelligence.

Wednesday, December 6  | 6pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Back by popular demand! Rebecca Kutzer-Rice, owner of Moonshot Farm – a specialty cut flower farm in East Windsor, will guide as you create the perfect holiday wreath to help kick off the season. Have some wine and  You will quickly learn why Moonshot classes and events are a community favorite. Wine included! *All wreathmaking materials are completely biodegradable

Wednesday, November 1 | 6pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton

This experience invites you to explore the world of optimized efficiency, empowering you to automate, outsource, and improve every aspect of your life. You’ll learn to harness innovative strategies and digital tools to streamline tasks, liberate time, and reclaim your mental space. Perfect for those feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, this class will guide you through proven methods and practical tactics to achieve more by doing less, leading you towards a balanced, productive, and stress-free lifestyle. Lesson will be led by Ari Meisel, founder of Less Doing and creator of the Replaceable Founder System of Productivity. He has been featured on TED Talks, NPR, New York Times, and more.

Thursday, October 5 | 5:30pm
@ Judy Brodsky’s Princeton home

Thursday, September 14 | 6pm
@ Grounds for Sculpture at The Seward Johnson Atelier 
SOLD OUT

Join us for an exclusive tour of the Johnson Atelier. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer and tour behind-the-scenes in the working atelier with Lynn DeClemente Losavio, Program Officer. Hear about their upcoming project, the artists they are working with and all they are doing to build community.

Friday, September 8 | 5:30pm
@  Arts Council of Princeton

Young collectors exist! A point made beautifully clear in The New Antiquarians, the stunning new release by Michael Diaz-Griffith.

The once rarefied world of antiques is bursting open thanks to a new generation of collectors. The New Antiquarians features twenty-two young connoisseurs whose spirited interiors exemplify unorthodox approaches to living with history. Hailing from across the United States and Britain, they brazenly blend the old with the new, embrace anachronism and pastiche, employ serious knowledge with humor and wit, and consider vintage and historical objects through the lens of contemporary values. The New Antiquarians is an exuberant entry point into the world of antiques, highlighting one-of-a-kind collections and the single-minded collectors whose stories suggest compelling new ways of living with the past.

Meet the author, receive your signed copy of The New Antiquarians, and enjoy refreshments during a post-talk reception. This ART OF event will inspire you to collect, or at least begin dreaming about it! After all: three of anything makes a collection, but a collecting practice can be ignited, quietly, by a single bewitching object.

Michael Diaz-Griffith is an art historian, designer, and Executive Director & COO of the Design Leadership Network. Prior to joining the DLN, Diaz-Griffith served as Executive Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation and as Associate Executive Director of The Winter Show, America’s most prestigious and longest-running art and antiques fair.

Tickets for this fundraising event include a new copy of The New Antiquarians (value: $65). Thank you for supporting the arts!

Thursday, July 27 | 5:30pm
@ Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

A well composed tamale is a work of art! Sample three versions of homemade tamales with Viridiana Martinez Weiss, owner of La Lupita Groceries in Princeton, and learn about the long and rich history of this beloved dish. A perfect parnter to the tamale is the Cantarito, a popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila and fresh citrus fruits and juices served in traditional clay jarritos. A perfect pairing for a festive summer evening!

Thursday, June 1 | 5:30-7pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Beer lovers and Epicurous, don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Charles Nouwen, Beer Sommelier and Master Brewer from Belgium, will take you on a journey to enjoy the best of fine beers and boutique cheeses paired together. Through stories, anecdotes and fun facts, you will learn why these two historical farm products are made for each other. Four carefully selected pairings along with artisanal breads and fruits will have your tastebuds singing!

To learn more about Charles, click here.

Saturday, Apri 22 | 7:30-9:30pm
@ Lynne & Joe Kossow’s Princeton home
SOLD OUT

In the Art of Scotch & Sweets, participants will learn about and sample single malt Scotch Whisky that comes from five different distilleries located mainly in the Scottish Highlands and Islands off the west coast of Scotland. Each whisky has its own distinct aroma, taste, and finish, reflecting the philosophy of its maker and the region from which it hails. Appropriate after dinner pairings will accompany the Scotch, including chocolates, fruits and baked desserts.

Sunday, April 2 | 3:45-5:45pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Back by popular demand! Chocolate connoisseur, Alex Pimentel, will guide this artisanal chocolate making workshop using organic cacao from Peru. Design and make your own custom gourmet chocolate treats to take home! Adults and children above the age of 7 (with a parent or guardian) are all welcome.

Sunday, March 12 | 4-6pm
@ the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton 
SOLD OUT

Hosted at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, this ART OF experience celebrates the customs of Ramadan and Iftar. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims across the globe, where one abstains from food and water from sunrise to sunset. The meal that is eaten to break the fast at sunset is called Iftar.

Join us for Iftar as we learn more about this sacred month, its traditions, and the foods that go along with it.

Guests will enjoy tasty bites from Khan Baba restaurant and insightful conversation during this inter-faith gathering. Guests will also have the opportunity to get a personalized name calligraphy to take home. Tours will also be available of the center after the event. 

Thursday, March 9 | 5:30pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Saturday, March 4 | 10:30-11:30am 
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Preschool teacher Bentley Drezner will host a fun and collaborative workshop for preschoolers and their caregivers to explore free and easy ways to promote creative play. Bagels, juice, and coffee will follow.

El juego permite que los niños utilicen su creatividad junto con el desarrollo de la imaginación, su físico, y su fuerza emocional. El Profesor Bentley Drezner de Preescolar va a presentar un taller para estudiantes de preescolar y a sus padres , o cuidadores. Este taller le va a enseñar como pueden promover la imaginación y juego creativo en una manera que es gratis y fácil para todos. Y Después del taller vamos a tener café y rosquilla.

Friday, February 10 | 5-7pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Give pottery a whirl! Award-winning ceramicist and ACP Executive Director Adam Welch will introduce you to the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Watch a quick, detailed demo on the wheel — then it’s your turn! You throw, choose your glaze, and we take care of the rest. Your finished piece will be ready for pick-up in a few weeks.

Tickets include this small-group tutorial and a glass of wine. No experience required, just come eager to play with clay and have some fun.

Chocolate connoisseur, Alex Pimentel, will guide this artisanal chocolate making workshop using organic cacao from Peru. Design and make your own custom gourmet chocolate bars to take home! Adults and children above the age of 10 are all welcome.

Saturday, January 21 | 7-11pm
@ the Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Dress in your best red threads and immerse yourself in Salsa and Bachata with instructor Mike Andino of Estilo Dance Studio!  After you’ve perfected your moves, the music by DJ Poli, one of Philly’s top Latin DJs, will keep you on the dance floor all evening. Enjoy beer and wine and dinner. No partner or experience needed!

Proceeds from this fundraiser will support smART kids, the Arts Council’s arts enrichment program for our community’s middle school students from low to moderate income families. Thank you for helping us build community through the arts.

Thursday, December 1 | 6-7:30pm
@ the ACP
SOLD OUT

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice, owner of Moonshot Farm – a specialty cut flower farm in East Windsor, will guide as you create the perfect holiday wreath or centerpiece to help kick off the season. You will quickly learn why Moonshot classes and events are a community favorite.

Thursday, November 10 | 6-8pm
@ Kathy & Jamie Herring’s Princeton home
SOLD OUT

Learn to navigate life’s uncertainties and use astrology to paint a portrait of your life. Join Debora Haines, author of Moonstones: Fall Equinox for dinner and explore how astrology, astronomy and gemology can help us better understand our nature and the complexities of the personalities which surround us. Each attendee will receive a copy of Moonstones: Fall Equinox, a novel which draws inspiration from years spent studying the art of astrology. 

Saturday October 22 | 6-9pm
@ the home of Michelle & George Lambros

Join us to celebrate Karima Muyaes, an internationally renowned Mexican artist. The evening will feature an artist talk from Karima and dinner hosted at Michelle and George Lambros’ art-filled Princeton home. View Karima’s work on exhibit in our Solley Lobby Gallery October 17 through November 7.

Sunday October 9 | 5-6:30pm
@ Arts Council of Princeton
SOLD OUT

Join Terra Momo’s Carlo Momo and wine expert Lionel de Ravel as they continue their battle to determine which country offers superior wines: Spain or France. After tasting four wines from two storied old-world wine producing countries, you will be ready to take a side!  Enjoy light refreshments and wine related banter. 

Admission includes a bottle of wine from a collection curated by Carlo and Lionel. 

Sunday, April 16, 3pm
FREE

Celebrate National Poetry Month with artist Ruthann Traylor, Director of Homefront’s ArtSpace, for this special workshop to learn how to merge the literary and visual arts. Bring your favorite poem, a few lines of verse, or better yet, something you may have written yourself – whatever inspires you to create your own visual art piece. Materials for this all-ages workshop are provided, but you are welcome and encouraged to bring any special items you can use to make the piece your own – old photos, a bit of ribbon, a love letter – and learn how to incorporate them into a collage, mixed media painting, or as your subject for a drawing or painting. Words can be optional or worked into the design because we all know that sometimes roses are not always red.

No experience necessary and beginners are encouraged. Come relax, have fun, and leave with a unique beautiful piece of art all your own!

Saturday October 1 | 10-11am
@ Arts Council of Princeton
FREE – SOLD OUT

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Preschool teacher, Bentley Drezner, will host a fun and collaborative workshop for preschoolers and their caregivers to explore free and easy ways to promote imagination and creative play. A bagel and coffee breakfast will follow! 

Sunday September 18 | 3-4:30pm
@ Grounds for Sculpture
SOLD OUT 

Join Grounds for Sculpture Horticulturist, Janis Napoli, to tour the spectacular grounds and learn about the wide variety of native and exotic trees and plants that grace the 42-acre sculpture park and museum.