Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Art gallery and wine bar open in Union Station

Oil paintings, watercolors, landscapes and sketches filled the upper level of Union Station in North Canaan, Conn., for the grand opening of Art Bar & Cafe on Friday, Oct. 27.

Works by area artists lined the corridors with even more Northwest Corner creations hanging within the new wine bar above Great Falls Brewing. 

Chris Tripler, owner of both the Art Bar & Cafe and Great Falls Brewing, said the inspiration to open a community art gallery arose from the unexpected success of a pop-up gallery at the brewery earlier this year.

“We were amazed by the number of people who showed up,” said Tripler. “It was largely folks that never come to the tap room.”

With so many art lovers in the area, Tripler felt the Community Gallery seemed like a perfect fit for North Canaan. After getting a few tips from a nearby art critic, including the ideal height to hang art in a gallery (the center of the image should be 57 inches from the ground), the gallery at Art Bar & Cafe was born.

Melanie Teardo, manager of the Art Bar & Cafe, said the addition to downtown North Canaan brings “something unique to the area. Definitely nice to have a little bit of night life around here.” 

On the new gallery, she said it creates “a sense of community” among local artists. “You don’t have to be an expert painter to be a part of it.”

On Oct. 27, work from several featured artists was on display, including ink and watercolor art from Jean Saliter of Salisbury. Saliter holds a photography degree with a minor in painting and said her interest in watercolor developed while at home during the pandemic.

“There was just so many hours in a day, so I thought ‘why not teach yourself patience?’ and I got some watercolors,” said Saliter. “I just sat down and painted day in and day out. I taught myself from YouTube tutorials and books and mimicry.”

Many of the pieces on display by Saliter showed intricately inked outlines of insects that were brought to life by an overlay of bright watercolor highlights. 

At the Art Bar & Cafe, paper and pencils were placed on each table to keep the creative juices flowing, along with cocktails, wine, and beer, all sourced within Connecticut. Appetizers from Freund’s Farm were also on the menu.

Saliter and fellow featured artist Lynn Fowler, along with a Lakeville Journal reporter, collaborated for a blind multi-artist sketch during the grand opening. Fowler drew the head, then folded the paper to allow Saliter to independently draw the torso. The reporter then poorly added legs and feet to complete the haphazard portrait of what looked to be an overweight beach bum in a feathered cap.

“Come to Canaan and have fun,” said Fowler.

Visitors can tour the Community Gallery on the second floor of Union Station each day and the art on display is available for purchase. The Art Bar & Cafe will be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 9. p.m.

Featured artists Jean Saliter and Lynn Fowler attended the grand opening of the Art Bar & Cafe. Photo by Riley Klein

Latest News

Classifieds - August 11, 2026

Classifieds - August 11, 2026

AUTOS FOR SALE

1990 Mazda Miata hard top/soft top. Manufactured Oct. 1989. 64,000 plus miles. 99% original parts. $20,500. 203-215-0729.

HELP WANTED

Garden Help. Looking for an experienced person to weed my acre garden and cut back some plants. In Salisbury. For July and August. Could continue into Fall. naylor99@gmail.com

Keep ReadingShow less

Legal Notices - August 11, 2026

Legal Notices - August 11, 2026

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Chapters & Charm LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on May 22nd 2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 16 Barton Street, Millerton NY 12546. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 0

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton dispensary faces further delays from state regulators

Doug Broughton stands in his basement greenhouse in Wassaic on May 17. Broughton plans to open a dispensary in downtown Millerton at 32 Main St.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Cannabis grower Douglas Broughton is still waiting on the Office of Cannabis Management to open his dispensary in Millerton.

His retail dispensary location at 32 Main St., in the former home of Demitasse and next door to what will soon be a Thai tea shop, has received site approval from the state’s cannabis regulation authority, but further approvals of the store’s interior and security systems are still pending.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Parking variance granted to Center Street apartments

Apartment buildings at 26-32 S. Center St. currently host four housing units. Owners are seeking to renovate a fifth at the property.

Photo By Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Owners of a South Center Street apartment building can now move forward with a special permit application after the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance for parking at the property.

The Village of Millerton Zoning Board of Appeals granted a parking variance to the owners of 26-32 South Center St. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, allowing the property to be non-compliant with village parking laws.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lakeville Journal Street Fair brings together nonprofits for day of local fun

Luiza, 6; Cecilia, 4; Nathan, 4; and Aria, 6, show off their face paint and balloon animals during the fifth annual Lakeville Journal Street Fair on Aug. 8.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

SALISBURY, Conn. — Live music, lobster rolls, face painting and a mix of local nonprofit organizations filled Academy Street in downtown Salisbury on Saturday, Aug. 8, for the fifth annual street fair hosted by The Lakeville Journal.

Audrey Cole of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) was on site with information on the often-bewildering subject of Medicare.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dover High School’s Guitar Club prepares for Community Day performance

Members of the Dover Guitar Club prepare for a performance.

Photo Provided

DOVER PLAINS — Members of Dover High School’s Guitar Club are tuning up for another community performance as they prepare to take the stage at Dover Community Day on Sept. 19.

Since 2019, the club has given students a place to learn guitar, perform live and build confidence while giving back to the community. Led by Dover High School social studies teacher Eric Anderson, students meet after school to learn new music, rehearse and perform at school and community events.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.