Building Community Through the Arts

Festival of books logo

A Huge Thank You!

The 18th Annual Festival of Books was a magnificent community event, graced with beautiful weather and crowds of enthusiastic readers of all ages. We tallied record sales for this cornerstone fundraiser and are so grateful for your enthusiastic support and participation.

We wish to thank those who donated and shopped, authors who spoke, attendees who listened and especially the scores of volunteers who received, arranged, sorted, hauled, shuttled, baked, served and welcomed hundreds of guests over Labor Day Weekend.

A very special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped to Get the Festival off the Ground!

We couldn’t do it without all of you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. See you next year!

Upcoming Events And Activities

How to Trust Your Feet - Tai Chi illustration

Trust Your Feet - A tutorial on practicing balance

Thurs., September 21, 12:30-2:00pm

Tai Chi practice helps us achieve balance. In this tutorial, taught by Fran Snyder, explore balance as a relearned skill to move through our days feeling secure and safe. Learn more.

Community Event category label
Laura Anglade Quartet Sold Out

Laura Anglade Quartet

September 22, 8:00pm

The Toronto-based jazz vocalist brings a fresh face to the vintage sound of classic jazz numbers in both French & English. Learn more.

Music category label
Juried Art Show - Homes, Hamlets, Villages

Regional Juried Fine Art Show

September 30-October 29

Homes, Hamlets & Villages: Style and Lifestyle in Small Towns and Rural Communities. A gallery show of juried work by over 50 artists in a range of media. Learn more.

The Gallery

Homes, Hamlets & Villages:
Style and Lifestyle in Small Towns and Rural Communities
Opening Reception

Saturday, September 30
4:00-6:00pm

Join us for this special gallery show opening reception. Learn more.

The Gallery
Singer song/writer Heather Maloney

Heather Maloney

Saturday, October 7, 8:00pm

Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney, a unique talent who combines brilliant storytelling with a stunning voice. Learn more.

Music category label
Climate Change: The Activists Among Us

Climate Change:
The Activists Among Us

Sunday, October 15, 2:00pm

It’s not too late to save the planet! A panel of local luminaries will talk about their activities to slow climate change and answer questions. Learn more.

Conversations with Neighbors category label
How to Trust Your Feet - Tai Chi illustration

“Like Swimming in Air”
The Art of Tai Chi for Beginners

October 19-January 18

Build physical strength and endurance, and encourage relaxation of the body and calmness of the mind. Learn more.

Community Event category label
Heather Bruegl, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin citizen and first-line descendent Stockbridge Munsee.

Still Here: A Survival Story of Indigenous People

Sunday, November 5, 2:00pm

Heather Bruegl M.A. (Oneida/Stockbridge-Munsee) will discuss the Indigenous people of our area, how they loved the land and continue to improve their community. Learn more.

Spoken Word category label
All Write Columbia graphic

All Write, Columbia:
Fall Fiction Writers' Conference

November 9-12

A four day intensive writing conference focused on the craft and the business of writing fiction. Open to all levels of fiction writers. Learn more.

Workshop
Young woman writing with pen on paper, computer and cellphone nearby

Young Writers’ Contest Winners Announced!

Our judges have deliberated and have chosen winners in both Fiction & Non-Fiction categories. See this year's winners and read the work from these talented young writers. Learn more.

Festival of Books category label

Call to Artists: Announcing the 8th Annual Members' Show

November 18-December 10, 2023

This annual show is a thank-you to all of our members. This is not a juried show and there is no submission fee. See the prospectus.

The Gallery
Collage of people and events

Annual Appeal

Help to support our mission of Building Community Through the Arts, 50 years and going strong. Make your tax deductible gift today.

Support category label

Watch and Listen to PAST Programming

Rishi Reddi and Dexter Palmer

Dexter Palmer & Rishi Reddi


Discuss their works of historical fiction with Daphne Kalotay. Watch the video on our YouTube channel.

Festival of Books category label
Author Peter Sis and his book cover for Nicky & Vera

Peter Sis


Discusses his book Nicky and Vera- A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued, with Carl Atkins. Watch the video.

Festival of Books category label
Book cover "Kaffeehaus" and author Rick Rodgers

Rick Rogers


Learn how to make Almas Pite, a delicious Hungarian apple pie. In conversation with Madaline Sparks. Watch the interview.

Festival of Books category label

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Become a Member

We're dedicated to programs in a welcoming space for our Columbia County community and neighbors. Learn More

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