New Britain Museum of American Art

06/19/2026

Radcliffe Bailey creates layered works that explore African American history through the lens of personal memory. Drawing on archival photographs, maps, and symbolic imagery, he weaves together individual and collective narratives. At the center of “Transatlantic” is a figure likely drawn from the artist’s family albums, linking his own ancestry to the broader history of the African diaspora. Surrounding elements-tracks, trees, and references to distant geographies-suggest movement across land and sea, evoking the transatlantic slave trade. Bailey’s composition connects past and present, emphasizing the enduring impact of this history.

Radcliffe Bailey (1968-2023)
Transatlantic, 2003
Mixed media on wood
New Britain Museum of American Art
General Purchase Fund, 2004.01

06/18/2026

JUNETEENTH: YOUR GUIDE TO THE DAY 🎉

For 25 years, the New Britain Museum of American Art has gathered our community to celebrate Juneteenth—a day rooted in remembrance, resilience, creativity, and joy. This year’s theme, Community & Togetherness, honors the connections that unite us across cultures and generations.

Join us on June 20 for a day filled with music, art, history, hands-on experiences, and FREE ADMISSION!

🕚 11:00 AM — DJ MDot kicks off the celebration with music throughout the grounds

🇺🇸 12:00 PM — Opening Ceremony, National Anthem by Aleecya, flag raising, and welcome remarks

💃 12:45 PM — Performance by Dejave Dance

🏀 1:15 PM — Proclamation from the City of New Britain and special keynote conversation with Jamelle Elliott, former UConn Women’s Basketball coach

🎤 1:30 PM — Performance by Sweetie Belle

🎶 1:50 PM — Musical performance by Aleecya

🎙️ 2:10 PM — Open Mic finalists take the stage—audience members choose the winner!

🖤 2:40 PM — Connecticut Slam Team closes the performances with powerful spoken word

All day long, enjoy:
✨ Local Black-owned vendors and community organizations
🎨 Artmaking activities and a collaborative “Draw Together Strangers” project
🖼️ The cARTie mobile art gallery
🖌️ A special John Hitchcock mobile silkscreen printing activity featuring custom tote bags
📸 A photo experience inspired by Lorraine O’Grady’s “Art Is…”
🤝 Meet special guest Jamelle Elliott
🍦 Sweet treats from Seaside Creamery and additional food vendors

Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and join us as we celebrate 25 years of Juneteenth at the Museum—a tradition built by our community, for our community.

06/18/2026

"The Museum of the Old Colony: An Art Installation by Pablo Delano" is a conceptual, site-specific, and continually evolving project that confronts the complex legacies of U.S. colonial rule in Puerto Rico by re-contextualizing archival photographs, books, artworks, objects, and moving pictures such as newsreels and documentaries.

The exhibition is on view at the New Britain Museum of American Art through July 5.

During your visit, be sure to read the Interpretive Guide as you walk through the exhibition. Written by consulting curator, Dr. Amanda Guzmán (Trinity College), the Interpretive Guide can be accessed via the QR codes or one of the laminated copies at the start of the exhibition.

"The Museum of the Old Colony: Una Instalación Artística de Pablo Delano" es un proyecto conceptual, específico para el lugar y en continua evolución que confronta los complejos legados del dominio colonial estadounidense en Puerto Rico mediante la recontextualización de fotografías de archivo, libros, obras de arte, objetos e imágenes en movimiento, tales como noticiarios y documentales.

La exposición podrá visitarse en el Museo de Arte Americano de New Britain hasta el 5 de julio.

Durante su visita, asegúrese de leer la Guía Interpretativa mientras recorre la exposición. Escrito por la curadora consultora, Dra. Amanda Guzmán (Trinity College), puede acceder a la Guía Interpretativa a través de los códigos QR o mediante una de las copias plastificadas disponibles al inicio de la exposición.

06/17/2026

🚨 ART HAPPY HOUR ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
This Friday’s Art Happy Hour will take place on our South lawn and terrace on the Walnut Hill Park side of the grounds. PLEASE BYO LAWN CHAIR and enjoy an amazing evening of live music with and hot food truck 🚚

06/17/2026

JUNETEENTH: YOUR GUIDE TO THE DAY 🎉

For 25 years, the New Britain Museum of American Art has gathered our community to celebrate Juneteenth—a day rooted in remembrance, resilience, creativity, and joy. This year’s theme, Community & Togetherness, honors the connections that unite us across cultures and generations.

Join us on June 20 for a day filled with music, art, history, hands-on experiences, and FREE ADMISSION!

🕚 11:00 AM — DJ MDot kicks off the celebration with music throughout the grounds

🇺🇸 12:00 PM — Opening Ceremony, National Anthem by Aleecya, flag raising, and welcome remarks

💃 12:45 PM — Performance by Dejave Dance

🏀 1:15 PM — Proclamation from the City of New Britain and special keynote conversation with Jamelle Elliott, former UConn Women’s Basketball coach

🎤 1:30 PM — Performance by Sweetie Belle

🎶 1:50 PM — Musical performance by Aleecya

🎙️ 2:10 PM — Open Mic finalists take the stage—audience members choose the winner!

🖤 2:40 PM — Connecticut Slam Team closes the performances with powerful spoken word

All day long, enjoy:
✨ Local Black-owned vendors and community organizations
🎨 Artmaking activities and a collaborative “Draw Together Strangers” project
🖼️ The cARTie mobile art gallery
🖌️ A special John Hitchcock mobile silkscreen printing activity featuring custom tote bags
📸 A photo experience inspired by Lorraine O’Grady’s "Art Is…"
🤝 Meet special guest Jamelle Elliott
🍦 Sweet treats from Seaside Creamery and additional food vendors

Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and join us as we celebrate 25 years of Juneteenth at the Museum—a tradition built by our community, for our community.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College on a magnificent presentation of "Beautiful Ideas: The Prints of Sol LeWitt," which is organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art and curated by David S. Areford, professor of art history at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The exhibition includes 44 objects, consisting of single prints and print series, for a total of over 100 prints.

For information on the availability of this traveling exhibition, please get in touch with Curatorial and Exhibitions at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

06/17/2026

Best known for his intimate, hushed wintertime scenes, John Henry Twachtman developed a highly personal, subjective approach to landscape painting that suggests both poetic effect and abstract design. The change of seasons at his Greenwich, Connecticut, home inspired some of his best-known Impressionistic paintings. Painted with soft tonal qualities in broken brushwork, "Summer Trees" was done during Twachtman's Greenwich period. The majority of his finest works, completed during this period, reflect his mature style, characterized by a bright palette.

🎨John Henry Twachtman (1853-1902), "Summer Trees," 1873-1902, Oil on canvas, Loan from Elizabeth Yaokum, 2009.31LTL

06/17/2026

George Wesley Bellows painted “The Big Dory” while on the island of Monhegan, Maine, during what was probably the most productive period of his career. As with his earlier, more famous boxing scenes, the brushwork here and in his other seacoast paintings is vigorous. What was new in these works, to use Bellow’s own words, was their “fresh spontaneous pure color.”

At the beginning of his stay in Maine, Bellows painted accurate interpretations of the coastline. Soon, however, he began altering the landscape for dramatic effect. In “The Big Dory,” what should be the Island of Manana on the left, has been replaced by a scaled-down version of Blackhead, a cliff located elsewhere on Monhegan.

George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925)
The Big Dory, 1913
Oil on panel
New Britain Museum of American Art
Harriet Russell Stanley Fund, 1944.21

06/16/2026

JUNETEENTH: MEET THE VENDORS 🛍️✨

Juneteenth is a celebration of culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Spend the day exploring a vibrant marketplace featuring local artists, makers, wellness brands, and community organizations.

🧼 Bar of Thoughts |
Handcrafted natural soaps created to nourish the skin and spark memories through the powerful connection between scent and emotion.

💎 Designs by Jackii
One-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry and original designs for women, men, and children.

📚 New Britain Public Library |
Connecting our community with resources, services, and enriching experiences that inspire lifelong learning.

🌎 Cecilia Imports | .imports_
A fair-trade business sharing handmade artwork and crafts from Guatemala with the local community.

✨ Pretty Afrika Designs |
A mother-daughter business offering curated African jewelry, accessories, clothing, and home goods.

✈️ Shantel Butler Cruise Planners |
A travel advisor helping couples and families create unforgettable vacations, cruises, and custom travel experiences.

🏡 Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain |
Providing affordable housing resources, financial coaching, workshops, and community development programs.

🌿 InaScents Natural Products |
Natural hair and body products including oils, mists, and body butters created to enhance your natural beauty.

🧴 Notes of Beauty LLC | .of.beauty
Handmade skincare and haircare products, including body butters, oils, scrubs, and toners.

🎨 Kaydrawsy Art |
Original illustrations, art prints, stickers, and postcards—all hand-drawn with a unique artistic voice.

Support Black-owned businesses, local creators, and organizations that make our community stronger. We can’t wait to see what you discover!