City Light Gallery
265 Golden Hill Street
Bridgeport, CT
Mailing address:
130 Elm St, Bridgeport CT 06604
203-334-7748
Regular Gallery Hours:
Wednesday – Friday, 12 – 5 pm
Saturday, 12 pm – 4pm
Email: clgallerybpt@gmail.com
FB: /CityLightsbpt
IG: @citylightsgallery
www.citylightsgallery.org
In operation for 22 years in downtown Bridgeport, City Lights Gallery is the headquarters for the Bridgeport Art Trail, an annual city-wide open studio arts celebration weekend in its 18th year. Bridgeport, CT, a richly diverse city of 150,000, has 9 art studio buildings along with galleries, theatres, and music venues. Every November the arts community invites the public in to see how art has transformed once underutilized industrial and retails buildings into creative makerspaces for visual art, craft, fashion, music, film, spoken word, and entrepreneurs.
BAT Hours:
Thursday, Nov 6, 12pm - 7:30pm
(Opening reception 5:30pm - 7:30pm)
Friday, Nov 7, 12pm - 5pm
Saturday, Nov 8, 12pm - 5pm (Bike Tour meet up at 8:30 am)
Sunday, Nov 9, 12pm - 5pm
Regular Gallery/Frameshop Hours:
Wednesday - Friday, 12pm to 5pm
Saturday, 12pm to 4pm
Bridgeport Art Trail 2026 Schedule
Thursday, November 5
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | “Now Is the Time” Exhibit Opening Reception
20 artists interpret this provocative theme, presenting art that reacts to the times and issues of their choosing, or the actual condition and our contemporary relationship with time. Among the inspirations is the quote “There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear… This is precisely the time when artists go to work. That is how civilizations heal.” (Paraphrased from Toni Morrison.)
View a variety of visual expressions, mediums, and materials, from metal and fiber to works on paper. Highlights include an illustration by artist/poet Shanna Melton, a contemplative photography series by Joan Fitzsimmons, and “Renewal 1,000,000 A.D.” by Joseph Fekieta. This absurd installation depicts a time far into the future when decayed plastic has finally returned to carbon, renewing life itself.
Friday, November 6
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | On display: “Now Is the Time” Exhibit
20 artists interpret this provocative theme, presenting art that reacts to the times and issues of their choosing, or the actual condition and our contemporary relationship with time.
Saturday, November 7
8:30 AM- 9:15 AM | Bridgeport Art Trail Bike Tour Meet Up
See BAT Urban Bike Tour for full details. Meet at 8:30 AM at City Lights Gallery (265 Golden Hill St) for free registration, art, coffee, a snack, and a pose for the annual group photo. Nearby parking available. Depart as a group at 9:15 AM. There will be an afternoon stop for lunch. Please bring money for lunch, art purchases, and suggested gallery donations.
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | On display: “Now Is the Time” Exhibit
View a variety of visual expressions, mediums, and materials, from metal and fiber to works on paper. Highlights include an illustration by artist/poet Shanna Melton, a contemplative photography series by Joan Fitzsimmons, and “Renewal 1,000,000 A.D.” by Joseph Fekieta. This absurd installation depicts a time far into the future when decayed plastic has finally returned to carbon, renewing life itself.
Sunday, November 9
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | On display: “Now Is The Time” Exhibit
It may be the last day of Art Trail but it’s not the last day to see this impactful exhibit. “Now Is The Time” closes January 10, 2027.
Now Is the Time
November 5th, 2025 - January 10th, 2027
Opening Reception November 5th, 5:30-7:30 PM
20 artists interpret this provocative theme, presenting art that reacts to the times and issues of their choosing, or the actual condition and our contemporary relationship with time. Among the inspirations is the quote “There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear… This is precisely the time when artists go to work. That is how civilizations heal.” (Paraphrased from Toni Morrison.)
View a variety of visual expressions, mediums, and materials, from metal and fiber to works on paper. Highlights include an illustration by artist/poet Shanna Melton, a contemplative photography series by Joan Fitzsimmons, and “Renewal 1,000,000 A.D.” by Joseph Fekieta. This absurd installation depicts a time far into the future when decayed plastic has finally returned to carbon, renewing life itself.
Exhibiting artists: Joseph Annino, Marcio Arteaga, Mary Bailey, Carlos Biernnay, Byron Bigelow, Joseph Fekieta, Joan Fitzsimmons, Lilah Heyman, Suzanne Kachmar, Daniel Lanzilotta, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Shanna Melton, Larry Morse, Yolanda Vasquez Petrocelli, Lindsay Randolph, Scott Schuldt, Ellen Tresselt, Rita Valley, and Joan Wheeler.
Workshops/Programs Sponsored by City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail
Figure Drawing at the NEST
1720 Fairfield Ave in the Community Room
First two Tuesdays of the month, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
The Nest Arts Factory invites artists and students to join their working artists community to draw and paint from life in the rustic community room. Open Sketch: Please bring art materials, some easels and tables available. RSVP/prepay here.
The Writers’ Group with Shanna Melton
Online - Free
First two Saturdays of the month, 2pm - 4pm
The Writers’ Group is an online space led by poet Shanna Melton for people who love words to gather and create new work. The mission is to use prompts and other creative tools to motivate the creative process. It also creates a space for us to share and get a reaction from other writers who can advise one another on how to enhance the poems and or stories we create. This is not an open mic or performance space. It is a place to create. Also join The Writer’s Group ~ Bridgeport Facebook page for updates and inspiration between groups. It is also a great way to stay connected with other members. More info/log in here.
The Bridgeport Art Trail Storytelling Exchange
Online - Free
First Thursday of the month, 7pm - 9pm
The ‘BAT’ is a free online workshop for adult storytellers and story listeners, on the first Thursday of every month. Popular storyteller Nina Lesiga maintains a welcoming and supporting atmosphere for participants of all levels, telling and listening to stories, pitching new story ideas, refining works in progress, and practicing presentation. Share any genre of story for 8 minutes and receive up to 7 minutes of feedback, if you wish. Not all participants are expected to present. Taking a break in December then back in January! RSVP/Log in here .
