BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Meetinghouse - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://meetinghouse.life X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Meetinghouse REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260706 DTSTAMP:20260324T164440Z CREATED:20260318T155505Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T164440Z UID:10012807-1780185600-1783295999@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Rika Markel: Built Over Time | Art Exhibition DESCRIPTION:On display in The Meetinghouse Gallery \nBuilt Over Time\nAbstract Oil Paintings by Rika Markel\nMay 31 – July 5\, 2026\n  \nOpening Reception:\nSunday\, May 31\, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the downstairs gallery.\nThe Gallery is open Tuesdays – Sundays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for viewing. (Closed Mondays). \n  \n“Built Over Time” refers both to the way the paintings are made and what they reflect.\nEach piece is developed in layers of oil paint\, using different tools to gradually build texture\, depth\, and movement. \nThis process mirrors how experience and emotion take shape—not all at once\, but over time. What is visible on the surface is only part of what has been built underneath. \n  \nARTIST’S BIOGRAPHY\nRika Markel is an abstract artist working primarily with oil paint\, creating layered compositions using a variety of tools and techniques. Her work explores emotion\, consciousness\, and the unseen inner world that shapes human experience. \nAlthough creativity had always been part of her life\, Rika only began painting during the pandemic\, finally fulfilling a lifelong dream to express herself through art. Her intuitive process builds depth through layers of color\, texture\, and movement\, allowing each painting to evolve organically. \nHer work invites viewers to pause\, feel\, and discover their own meaning within the canvas. \n  \nARTIST’S STATEMENT\nMy work is an exploration of the inner world—emotion\, energy\, and the invisible forces that shape our experience of life. I paint intuitively\, allowing color\, texture\, and movement to guide the process rather than beginning with a fixed plan. \nWorking primarily with oil paint\, I build my pieces in layers using a variety of tools. Each layer represents a moment\, a feeling\, or a shift in energy\, gradually revealing a composition that feels alive and expressive. \nPainting became part of my life during the pandemic\, when I finally gave myself permission to follow a lifelong creative calling. Since then\, the canvas has become a space for reflection and discovery. \nRather than telling a single story\, my work invites viewers to experience their own emotions and interpretations within the layers of color and movement. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n  URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/rika-markel-art-show/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Purple-thoughts.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T160000 DTSTAMP:20260324T164418Z CREATED:20260318T155346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T164418Z UID:10012806-1780236000-1780243200@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Rika Markel: Built Over Time | Opening Reception DESCRIPTION:On display in The Meetinghouse Gallery \nBuilt Over Time\nAbstract Oil Paintings by Rika Markel\nMay 31 – July 5\, 2026\n  \nOpening Reception:\nSunday\, May 31\, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the downstairs gallery.\nThe Gallery is open Tuesdays – Sundays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for viewing. (Closed Mondays). \n  \n“Built Over Time” refers both to the way the paintings are made and what they reflect.\nEach piece is developed in layers of oil paint\, using different tools to gradually build texture\, depth\, and movement. \nThis process mirrors how experience and emotion take shape—not all at once\, but over time. What is visible on the surface is only part of what has been built underneath. \n  \nARTIST’S BIOGRAPHY\nRika Markel is an abstract artist working primarily with oil paint\, creating layered compositions using a variety of tools and techniques. Her work explores emotion\, consciousness\, and the unseen inner world that shapes human experience. \nAlthough creativity had always been part of her life\, Rika only began painting during the pandemic\, finally fulfilling a lifelong dream to express herself through art. Her intuitive process builds depth through layers of color\, texture\, and movement\, allowing each painting to evolve organically. \nHer work invites viewers to pause\, feel\, and discover their own meaning within the canvas. \n  \nARTIST’S STATEMENT\nMy work is an exploration of the inner world—emotion\, energy\, and the invisible forces that shape our experience of life. I paint intuitively\, allowing color\, texture\, and movement to guide the process rather than beginning with a fixed plan. \nWorking primarily with oil paint\, I build my pieces in layers using a variety of tools. Each layer represents a moment\, a feeling\, or a shift in energy\, gradually revealing a composition that feels alive and expressive. \nPainting became part of my life during the pandemic\, when I finally gave myself permission to follow a lifelong creative calling. Since then\, the canvas has become a space for reflection and discovery. \nRather than telling a single story\, my work invites viewers to experience their own emotions and interpretations within the layers of color and movement. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n  URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/rika-markel-opening-reception/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Purple-thoughts.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260615T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260615T200000 DTSTAMP:20260608T181705Z CREATED:20260528T155106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T181705Z UID:10012829-1781550000-1781553600@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Rewilding: A Short Film by Eliza Rose DESCRIPTION:Rewilding is a film about self discovery through nature\, adventure\, motion\, and running away. It is an introspective journey about leaving home in hopes to find yourself. I would be honored to have you join for the first screening of Rewilding at Shield’s Hall. \n-Eliza \n“Life is about being lost… not finding a path.” \nShowing at The Meetinghouse on 6/15 at 7pm. No cost to entry\, but donations are encouraged! URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/rewilding-a-short-film-by-eliza-rose/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rewilding-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260712 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260831 DTSTAMP:20260709T185728Z CREATED:20260709T183258Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T185728Z UID:10012836-1783814400-1788134399@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Rori Shapiro: Ridgebury In Retrospective | Art Show DESCRIPTION:On display in The Meetinghouse Gallery \nRidgebury in Retrospective\nArt by Rori Shapiro\nJuly 12 – August 30\, 2026\nThe Gallery is open Tuesdays – Sundays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for viewing. (Closed Mondays). \n  \nARTIST’S BIOGRAPHY\nBeing born and raised in Ridgefield\, CT my love for art and history both started at Scotland Elementary School. My fourth grade teacher Mrs. McNamara nee Cemprola\, and my special education teacher Ms. Patzold. They nurtured my love for Ridgefield’s history and supported my ego as an artist. \nI graduated from Ridgefield High School\, and I continued my love of art and history at the Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated with a BFA in Sequential Art and a minor in Art History. I then travelled “across the pond\,” to pursue a degree in Sound Design and Popular Music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. After playing the world famous Cavern Club\, the Jacaranda\, BBC2’s Songwriter’s Platform with my band ‘Rori and the Renegades’\, and hanging with Sir Paul\, I finally made my way back to Ridgefield\, Ridgebury to be exact. \nSince that time I’ve worked in every elementary school in Ridgefield as a para professional\, substitute teacher and long-term substitute art teacher. I also taught upper school art at Ridgefield Academy.  I released my first children’s book\, “Mayor Maynot and the Case of the Missing Speech” in 2005. My first album “Head Games” in 2007 and my second album “Wrong Side of Right” in 2013. \nIn all those years since my elementary school days\, my love for drawing and need for acquiring Ridgebury history has only strengthened and flourished.  I am currently working on a book about Ridgebury and its deep and multi-faceted history. URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/rori-shapiro-ridgebury-in-retrospective-art-show/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ridgebury-in-Retrospective.png ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T210000 DTSTAMP:20260726T161140Z CREATED:20260726T161140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260726T161140Z UID:10012845-1786467600-1786482000@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Open Mic in Shield's Hall! DESCRIPTION:Join us for an open mic in Shield’s Hall. All experience levels are welcome. Sign up starts at 5pm! \n602 Ridgebury Road\, Ridgefield CT. URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/open-mic-in-shields-hall/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community,Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/8.11openmic.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260825T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260825T190000 DTSTAMP:20260812T153057Z CREATED:20260810T171927Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T153057Z UID:10012849-1787677200-1787684400@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Queer Crafts Night - Materials Provided! DESCRIPTION:Join @decorative_parasite for a Queer Crafts Night at The Meetinghouse! Feel free to bring your own sketchbook and crafts supplies if desired. Otherwise\, materials will be provided! See you there! URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/queer-crafts-night-materials-provided/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/8.25.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260906 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261012 DTSTAMP:20260812T151947Z CREATED:20260812T151930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T151947Z UID:10012850-1788652800-1791763199@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Bill Gore: The Saugatuck Cosmology | Art Show DESCRIPTION:On display in The Meetinghouse Gallery \nThe Saugatuck Cosmology\nArtwork by Bill Gore\nSeptember 6 – October 11\, 2026\n  \nOpening Reception:\nSunday\, September 6\, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the downstairs gallery.\nThe Gallery is open Tuesdays – Sundays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for viewing. (Closed Mondays). \n  \nArtist’s Statement\nOver time the intelligence of the New England landscape has taken hold of my image making. I photograph the land and layer images in a virtual studio to search for connections between literal representation\, memory\, and imagination. \nI began by photographing the nearby Saugatuck River valley during numerous walks along the banks and over the woodland trails. The camera images provided a real-time record of this intersection of nature and man\, and I turned to digital methods as an avenue into deep-time explorations of the “more-than-human” intelligence of the river. The images that the camera saw passed into virtual space\, something like a digital bardo\, and mixed with the abstract expression of memory and sensory experience. From my process came a collection of layered photographs that gave visual form to my perceptions of the democratic life-forces of the waters that nurture all that lives along the riverbanks. \n  URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/bill-gore-the-saugatuck-cosmology-art-show/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Bill_Gore_Landscape-No-25.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T160000 DTSTAMP:20260812T152046Z CREATED:20260812T152046Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T152046Z UID:10012851-1788703200-1788710400@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Bill Gore: The Saugatuck Cosmology | Opening Reception DESCRIPTION:On display in The Meetinghouse Gallery \nThe Saugatuck Cosmology\nArtwork by Bill Gore\nOn Display: September 6 – October 11\, 2026\n  \nOpening Reception:\nSunday\, September 6\, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the downstairs gallery.\nThe Gallery is open Tuesdays – Sundays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for viewing. (Closed Mondays). \n  \nArtist’s Statement\nOver time the intelligence of the New England landscape has taken hold of my image making. I photograph the land and layer images in a virtual studio to search for connections between literal representation\, memory\, and imagination. \nI began by photographing the nearby Saugatuck River valley during numerous walks along the banks and over the woodland trails. The camera images provided a real-time record of this intersection of nature and man\, and I turned to digital methods as an avenue into deep-time explorations of the “more-than-human” intelligence of the river. The images that the camera saw passed into virtual space\, something like a digital bardo\, and mixed with the abstract expression of memory and sensory experience. From my process came a collection of layered photographs that gave visual form to my perceptions of the democratic life-forces of the waters that nurture all that lives along the riverbanks. \n  URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/bill-gore-the-saugatuck-cosmology-opening-reception/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Bill_Gore_Landscape-No-25.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260914T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260914T193000 DTSTAMP:20260819T224014Z CREATED:20260819T224014Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T224014Z UID:10012853-1789405200-1789414200@meetinghouse.life SUMMARY:Open Mic in Shield's Hall! DESCRIPTION:Join us for an open mic in Shield’s Hall. All experience levels are welcome. Sign up starts at 5pm! \n602 Ridgebury Road\, Ridgefield CT. URL:https://meetinghouse.life/event/open-mic-in-shields-hall-2/ LOCATION:The Meetinghouse\, 602 Ridgebury Rd.\, Ridgefield\, CT\, 06877\, United States CATEGORIES:Arts,Community,Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meetinghouse.life/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/9.14.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="meetinghouse.life":MAILTO:connect@meetinghouse.life END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR