VENUES TO THE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN

1. The Marina Restaurant
28 Spring Tree Rd. (down behind 464 Putney Rd. - where the West River meets the Connecticut), (802) 257-7563, www.vermontmarina.com
Continuing are imaginative collages by Tiffany Heerema featuring colorful vintage food imagery -- sure to whet your appetite; large painted gourds by Terry Carter; fine art photography by Henry Ireland; botanical illustrations by Tina Olsen; landscapes and contemporary artwork by Martha Dolan; mystical landscapes, studies in nature, and unconventional still-lifes by Janet Picard; personality-filled paintings of farm animals by Caryn King; colorful and whimsical plein air landscapes by Georgie; and impressionist-realistic, light-filled paintings by Deborah Lazar. Gallery Walk "munchies" available from 5 to 6:30 for visitors stopping in to catch the art en route to downtown. The Marina Restaurant is a casual waterfront eatery with a sunset view; open 7 days 11:30 to 10, Sunday Brunch served from 10 to 1.

VENUES TO THE WEST OF DOWNTOWN

2. C.X. Silver Gallery & Dim Sum Teahouse
814 Western Ave., (802) 257-7898 or (802) 579-9088, www.cxsilvergallery.com
Open 4:30 to 8 on Jan. 2 and by appointment year-round with current special exhibits including Souvenirs: Landscapes by Gordon Jones, cxsilvergallery.com/gordon-jones, and the continuing exhibition and book Nye Ffarrabas: a walk on the inside - 50 year retrospective, cxsilvergallery.com/nye-ffarrabas. Ongoing exhibitions include luminous landscapes, portraits, the Wu Ji (Infinity Within) series of abstract performance painting using mops and trowels as brushes, and the ongoing multimedia Pink Slip Project (pinkslipproject.tumblr.com). Dim Sum Dining & Catering daily by appointment (call ahead 1-2 days, 802-257-7898) -- dimsumvt.com.

VENUES IN OR NEAR DOWNTOWN

3. Whetstone Studio for the Arts
28 Williams St., (802) 579-9797 Hannah, thewhetstonestudioforthearts.tumblr.com
CLOSED FOR JANUARY GALLERY WALK: Contact Hannah Parker for information on renting short-term meeting spaces by the day or hour in the Whetstone Studio building. The Whetstone complex houses studios for a number of working artists and artisans -- Naomi Gelb, Rosie Schulick, David Parker, and Adrienne Ginter among them -- as well as a photography studio and innovative community organizations.

4. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
10 Vernon St., (802) 257-0124, www.brattleboromuseum.org
FREE ADMISSION during Gallery Walk. Catch the entirety of Portraits, Expanded before a new exhibit is installed in the main gallery next week. This exhibit features work by artists extending the traditional concept of portraiture to include language, voice, time, history, community, and culture.... Try your hand at self-portraiture in the Your Space: Portraits gallery that has been transformed into a drawing studio.... World Leaders & Global Citizens: Photographs by Patrick Leahy, U.S. Senator showcases Leahy's lifelong interest in photography and marks the fortieth anniversary of his Service in the Senate.... Winter Hours: Open daily 11-5, closed Tuesdays. Admission: $8-$6-$4, free for BMAC members and youth 18 & under.

5. Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery
36 Bridge St., (802) 490-2354, www.whetstonestation.com
Featured artist Rhonda Zoch has been painting since 1992 and is showing recent work through the end of January. "My work reflects universal energy, be it from the most ancient and primal beginnings to the spiritual embodiment that challenges the ethos of modern-day existence. Clouds, prisms of light, nature spirits, the forest floor, granules of sand, and the elusive shimmer of rhythmic, watery forms are my everyday inspirations." The Whetstone offers inspired food, local craft beers, and specialty drinks in a picturesque waterfront location with free parking. Open daily for lunch and dinner, 11:30-10, Fri.-Sat. till 11.

6. Superfresh! Organic Café
30 Main St., www.superfreshcafe.com
January's featured artist is local photographer Dave Eagle, whose vibrant and colorful body of macro photography presents a unique perspective of the iconic Brattleboro landscape. Live music for Gallery Walk with singer-songwriter Maggie Bernhard from 7 to 9 pm. Kitchen open till 9. New Café hours are otherwise: Mon.-Wed. 10-4, Thurs. 10-8, Fri. & Sat. 10-9, Sun. 10-8.

7. River Gallery School of Art
32 Main St., (802) 257-1577, www.rivergalleryschool.org
A Jamis Lott Retrospective is featured in January. Jamis, who attended RGS as a young man, died recently at 28. He lived an artist's life -- as a painter, puppeteer, maskmaker, and philosopher. He wrote, "Any sort of act can be an act of art; the way we treat our bodies, how we have an argument, the way we wait for a bus, the expression of pain as we have a wound mended, the style of reaction we apply to situations when people ask us personal questions, and all other expressions of ourselves. Life is full of toil, but even in toil we can realize one great fact, that when we become angry, sad, or happy, we are interacting with something outside of ourselves. This is the sign that invites us through the doorway into art."

8. Latchis Gallery & Main Theatre
50 Main St., (802) 254-1109, www.latchis.com
LATCHIS GALLERY is closed in January for a new coat of paint.... Continuing through January in the MAIN THEATRE is an exhibit by Members of the Saxtons River Art Guild, showing original work in watercolor, oil, and pastel, predominantly, depicting landscapes, portraits. and still life. Artists include Donna Lund, Alicia Drakiotes, Deedee Jones, Ann Cross, Lois Phoenix, John Dimick, Maisie Crowther, Carolyn Allbee, Freda Wright, Ray McClary, Carolyn Lavoie, Marlene Kramer, Nancy DiMauro, Mary Byrne, Carolyn MacDonald, Carolyn Berglund, Barb Borak, Betsey Congdon and Dawn Chattin. The theater is open during Gallery Walk, 5 to 6:30, and for movies or other events.

9. Twilight Tea Lounge
41 Main St. - Lower Level (enter directly from Arch St. hill), (802) 254-8887, www.twilighttealounge.com
Photography by Andréa Wallens Powell is featured. These "Digital Explorations" include a sampling of photographic series and individual studies in nature (including macrophotography), on the farm, and as painterly "abstracts" captured in unlikely places. "Photography can evoke an emotion, commit understanding to a set of ideals, or lay down a foundation for what is experienced in a moment.... [It can] transform recognizable patterns and shapes into something greater." Tea & Treats served till 10. Regular Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 12-8, Fri.-Sat. 12-10, Sun. 12-6; closed Mon.

10. Flat Street Brew Pub
6 Flat St., (802) 257-1911, www.flatstreetbrewpub.net
Drawings by Nicholas Widomski are featured in January and February. "Back in February of 2013, I was very inspired and took up drawing as a hobby. I quickly fell in love with it and have been pushing myself to get better ever since. I like to draw where I'm at, my friends, my family, and the love that makes it all go 'round." The Pub offers 20 fine handcrafted ales and lagers on tap and a delicious menu of pub-style food. Open Tues.-Thurs. 4-11, Fri. & Sat. 4-12, Sun. 3-10.

11. In-Sight Photography Project
45 Flat St., Ste. 1, (802) 251-9960, www.insight-photography.org
January gallery spaces feature an exhibition of work from an Advanced Film Photography Class entitled Darkroom Magic and Finding Poetry in the Image. Opening reception during Gallery Walk, 5:30-8:30 pm on January 2. The In-Sight Photography Project empowers youth through photography and makes all classes available to any interested youth regardless of their ability to pay. Call the office or visit IPP's website for further information.

12. Vermont Center for Photography
49 Flat St., (802) 251-6051, www.vcphoto.org
"Soma," a solo exhibition of unique tin-types by Michelle Rogers Pritzl, creates self-portraits using physical metaphors that speak of ties to time, to the past. These tableaus, symbolic of the effect of trauma on the psyche, contain a character that moves through a dark space and ambiguous environment. The tasks, bindings, and contortions affecting the character reflect the interior, unseen workings of the self. This exhibit runs through February 1. Visit the VCP website for more information. Opening Reception during Gallery Walk on Friday, January 2, 5:30-8:30; otherwise open Fri.-Sat.-Sun. 12-5.

13. Artrageus 1, LLC
57 Elliot St., (724) 650-7011 Nick, artrageus1.biz
CLOSED IN JANUARY THROUGH MARCH: Human-sized sculptural cabinetry by gallery co-owner Gayle Weitz is featured alongside work by other area artists. Gayle's Humanimal cabinets focus on the relationship between people and animals. The gallery also sells Tiny Footprint Coffee, the world's only carbon-negative coffee, and books that explore the historical and phenomenological etymology of present circumstances, with several titles pointing the way to a better future. Reopening for Gallery Walk in April.

14. The Hub Art Space
Arts Council of Windham County, 57 Harmony Pl., access thru Artrageus 1 or from parking lot, Info: (802) 257-0025 John Dimick, www.acwc.us
The Hub gallery is CLOSED FOR THE WINTER and will reopen for Gallery Walk on April 3, when Artrageus also opens its doors after a cold-weather break. The gallery features work by artists and artisans living in Windham County.

15. Mocha Joe's Café
82 Main St., (802) 257-7794, www.mochajoes.com
Work by local visionary artist Jonas Emmanuel Fricke is featured in January. His collection of recent paintings, entitled "Artworks for/in Beautiful Harrowing Times," explores grief and gratitude in vibrant exaltation. Stop by to enjoy the art, sip a cup of tea or freshly roasted coffee, and enjoy homemade pastry.

16. Vermont Artisan Designs & Gallery 2
106 Main St., (802) 257-7044, www.vtart.com
January's featured artist is photographer Jeffrey Lewis, who specializes in images of the Vermont landscape, the Maine seacoast, and circus performers. Other artists with new work at the gallery include painters Paul G. Stone, Anne Cady, Mary Iselin and Deborah Lazar. A portion of sales during January's Gallery Walk will go to the Windham County Heat Fund. Open 7 days. Visit the gallery online.

17. Works Bakery Café
118 Main St., (802) 579-1871, worksbakerycafe.com
Post Oil Solutions presents works by Robert Waldo Brunelle, Jr., Roslyn Carrier-Brault, John Dimick, Adrienne Ginter, and Dina Pratt to raise awareness about the growing climate crisis. Founded in 2005, Post Oil works with area literary, visual, and performing arts communities to build sustainable, collaborative, and socially just communities. In 2010, it was the first non-farm entity recognized for helping build a county-wide local food system -- see postoilsolutions.org.... Check out the "clothesline" exhibit of children's artwork from River Gallery School.... The café serves Rainforest Alliance coffee, humanely raised meats, poultry and dairy with no antibiotics or added hormones -- thoughtfully sourced, local when possible. Open daily 6 to 6, until 9 for Gallery Walk.

18. David Walter Jewelry Studio & Master Craft Gallery
81 Main St., (802) 722-9620, www.davidwalterjewelry.com
CLOSED THROUGH JAN. 8 -- Open on the 9th. David Walter designs and produces contemporary heirlooms in precious metals and gems. In addition to showcasing Walter's jewels, the studio's Master Craft Gallery mounts quarterly exhibits featuring exceptional work by regional craftsmen. Currently showing are hand-cut paper pieces by Adrienne Ginter, a Brattleboro-based artist who describes her approach as an exploration into the reoccurring oddities and subtle fascinations of the natural world. "Every scene in nature tells a million little stories, and I work to incorporate an extreme amount of detail to illuminate both the macro and micro. This gives the viewer a greater sense of depth, visually and narratively."

19. The Artist's Loft Gallery & B&B
103 Main St., 3rd floor, (802) 257-5181, www.theartistsloft.com
William H. Hays' unique multicolor linoleum-block prints are vibrant interpretations of the New England landscape and Brattleboro -- original and beautiful works of art at a very affordable price. Visitors can also see works underway in the artist's studio as well as oil and watercolor paintings of northeast landscapes. Open 10-6 daily and 24/7 onlinee.

20. Amy's Bakery Arts Café
113 Main St., (802) 251-1071
Recent work by Ellen Tumavicus and Lydia Thomson continues on exhibit in January. Ellen's recent 2-year sojourn in Trinidad has resulted in a colorful explosion of paintings celebrating Kiddie Carnival, and surrealistic relief prints combining Caribbean hues with dreams and imaginings. Lydia Thomson has been here in Vermont, but exploring "all over the map"with paintings of landforms and waterways, arising from memory and the paint itself. Amy's offers European-style breads; soups, sandwiches, salads; specialty cakes, cookies, and other treats; open Mon.-Sat. 8-6, till 8 on Gallery Walk, Sun. 9-5.

21. Gallery in the Woods & Dante's Infurniture
145 Main St., (802) 257-4777, www.galleryinthewoods.com
Featured work includes "Dreaming of What's Here," an exhibit of clay sculpture by Marilyn Andrews, and "A Holiday Fantasia" of colorfully painted Animal Carvings and Sacred Yarn Paintings from Mexico. Andrews explains, "Making images in clay [is] another way for me to understand my experience of the world ... similar to what often happens when I'm talking about what I think: when I hear myself, what I think becomes clearer to me, more solid in words than in thought." ... Huichol Sacred Yarn Paintings of Nayarit, Embroidered Pillows from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and more than 250 handpicked Woodcarvings are appealing to folks of all ages and priced affordably. Gallery Walk reception, 5:30-8:30, for Marilyn Andrews, with live music by the Moondogs. Open 7 days.

22. The Dianich Gallery
139 Main St., Rm. 501 (down the alley and through the glass doors), (802) 380-1607, www.catherinedianichgallery.com
Reception 5:30-7:30 pm on Jan. 2 for "The Blue Prophetic Alphabet" by Julia Zanes, held over through January. (See article on Julia in the current issue of ARTSCOPE magazine.) Each of Zanes' works is comprised of bright and bold characters or vegetation. The use of delicate, transparent layers of cobalt and blue-green -- which act like a veil for the viewer to peer through -- creates an enchanted and dream-like feeling. Working within a long-established tradition of narrative, these paintings are an "attempt to go into those moments between sense and non-sense, when storytelling is at its most urgent." Hours by appt. in January.

23. James Lapan in "25,000 Posts"
Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery, 139 Main St., (down the alley and down the stairs, (206) 595-9346 Jim, www.jameslapan.com
ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY AT 8 PM ON January 2: Rhymes with Japan presents "25,000 Posts," written and performed by James Lapan. It's the story of one American dream navigating the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that (so far) have constituted the 21st century. Comprised of 39 monologues about love, loss, reinvention, and real estate sign posting, it is part memoir, part training manual, and part questionable advice -- a humorous reflection on our contemporary ethos. Catherine Madden directs. A playwright and 25-year acting veteran of the Seattle theater scene, Lapan recently appeared on TV's Grimm. Appropriate for ages 14 and up. Tickets are $12-$15 at the door; also available online at brownpaperticket.com.

24. The Gallery at The Garden
Robert H. Gibson River Garden, 157 Main St., (802) 246-0982, www.strollingoftheheifers.com
January's featured exhibit is "New England Through the Eyes of an Artist," a show of watercolor paintings by Jane May Jones. A resident of Readsboro, Jane often combines architectural and garden elements in her compositions, many set here in Vermont, others at the New England coast or even in the tropics. Her work has been shown in numerous exhibitions and galleries up and down the East Coast. For further information, see this issue's featured article and visit the artist's website at www.janemayjones.com. The River Garden is open during Gallery Walk on January 2, 5:30 to 8:30, otherwise on Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-5, and Sun. 1:30-3:30. Note that on Saturdays the Winter Farmer's Market is in residence from 10 to 2.

25. Penelope Wurr: Contemporary Glass & Gifts
167 Main St., (802) 246-3015, www.penelopewurr.com
NEW WORK from Philippa Kunisch, Celebrated Costume & Jewelry Designer, has just arrived from London -- be ready for Valentine's Day! Also featured are Penelope's Fine Contemporary Glass and a unique selection of Local & European Gifts.... Don't miss the bargain prices in a NEW YEAR'S SALE on Winter Scarves & Christmas Trappings.... January Hours: Mon-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-6. Open late for Gallery Walk.

26. Mitchell-Giddings Fine Arts
183 Main St., (802) 251-8290, mitchellgiddingsfinearts.com
Work by Doug Trump and Maggie Lake is featured through March 1. RECENT WORK by Doug Trump explores the world through grids, repeated strokes, and color fields, where visual insistence creates new perspective. GONE TO SEED features prints of preserved botanical specimens by artist Maggie Lake, founder of Vermont Botanical; fleeting color and transient detail have been arrested in exquisite metaphorical splendor. Opening Reception on Thursday, January 8, 5 to 8 pm. Hours otherwise are Wed.-Sun. from 11 to 5.

27. Take a Moment for Peace
Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., in the Church Parlor, (802) 257-4588 Dee and Bob Keller
5:30-6 pm · Everyone is welcome on January 2 as Parker Huber leads a meditation entitled "Sources of Spiritual Sustenance for the New Year." A Quaker peacemaker, Parker is an author -- his most recent book is "Living by Loving" -- and a guide in meditation and prayer (6-7 am daily) in the Mary Magdalene Chapel of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.

28. Brooks Memorial Library
224 Main St., (802) 254-5290, www.brooks.lib.vt.us
MAIN FLOOR: December's featured exhibit of works about mental illness continues through mid-January, followed by Sequence paintings by local artists and students at Brattleboro's River Gallery School. MEZZANINE -- SOUTH DISPLAY CASE: Artworks and artifacts from the Loud Collection. LOCAL HISTORY ROOM WINDOW: Abenaki artifacts from the Gordon Crandall collection. SECOND FLOOR -- ENTRYWAY: To be determined. CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS CASE: Southern Vermont author/illustrator Anna Dewdney's latest books are "Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too," "Llama Llama Trick or Treat," "Llama Llama Jingle Bells," and "Llama Llama I Love You." Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-9; Thur. 1-6; Fri. 10-6; & Sat. 10-2.

29. Brattleboro History Center
196 Main St. (through the side door of Masonic Center), (802) 258-4957, info: histsoc@sover.net, brattleborohistoricalsociety.org
Free admission: Open 4-7 for Gallery Walk, otherwise Thurs.-Fri. 2-4, Sat. 11-3. View military uniforms and photos from the Post 5 American Legion's collection. Learn about Island Park through an extensive photo display; see Delicate Spring Dresses and a Union Station Diorama. Glimpse Rudyard Kipling through Mary Cabot's journal entries ("Annals of Brattleboro, 1681-1895" author); peruse her photo albums. Play a locally made Estey Field Organ. Read VT Phoenix weeklies from 1895. See a West River RR video and diorama. Learn about Crosbys, Esteys, and Moodys. Inspect the Ft. Dummer replica; dig into its history and artifacts at Brooks Library. Old signs, maps, prescriptions, gowns. Research Room at Municipal Center (3rd fl, elevator) open Thurs. 2-4, Sat. 10-12, by appt.

30. Shiatsu School of Vermont
224 Main St., (802) 254-5290, www.brooks.lib.vt.us
OPEN HOUSE 5:30 to 7 pm during Gallery Walk: Stop in to see a live demonstration of Zen Shiatsu Bodywork and learn about SSV's FREE Introduction to Shiatsu Class on Sun., Jan. 18.... Also find out about an Herbal Home Spa Day, on Sat., Jan. 10, when participants will prepare herbal cosmetic products out of nourishing ingredients found in the kitchen and share a relaxing spa experience with facials, steams, masks, and body scrubs.

SPECIAL REGIONAL EXHIBITS

A. SE Vermont Welcome Center
I-91 North, about a mile south of Exit 1
The Silo Gallery presents selected works from Vermont Woods Studios in Vernon: Georgie's colorful mosaics of inner landscapes she sees in nature (So. Newfane); Susan Osgood's contemporary art (Brattleboro); Donna Tosi's quilts (Vernon) -- www.vermontwoodsstudios.com. Wooley Mountain Rug Works is showing hand-hooked rugs by Leah Karo (Chester), who uses hand-dyed wool to create small to large rugs in custom patterns and styles -- www.wooleymountainrugworks.com. Caryn King (So. Newfane) is exhibiting paintings of wildlife and farm animals -- ckingpainting.com. Information and showcase exhibits are useful resources for visitors and residents alike. Open 7 to 11 daily Open 7 am to 11 pm daily.