The Field Poetry Reading Series - Winter 2026
2026-02-19 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | duCret Center of Art, 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, 07060, United States
Please join us on Thursday, February 19th, 7- 9 pm, for a special evening of poetry with Peter Murphy and Paul Rabinowitz!
This free event will include a book signing by Peter and Paul, light refreshments, and an open mic. It will be held at duCret Center of Art, located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield, NJ. On-site parking is available.
Featured Poets
Peter E. Murphy was born in Wales and grew up in New York City. He is the author of thirteen books and chapbooks of poetry and prose including You Too Were Once on Fire (2025) and the award-winning A Tipsy Fairy Tale: A Coming of Age Memoir of Alcohol and Redemption (2024). He has been awarded six creative writing fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and multiple residencies at Yaddo, The Atlantic Center for the Arts, The Millay Colony and other artist retreats. His writing has appeared in hundreds of publications including The Michigan Quarterly Review, The North American Review, Poetry Wales, Rattle and The Sun. Murphy is the founder of Murphy Writing of Stockton University in Atlantic City, which hosts The Annual Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway and other literary programs in the United States and Europe. He has been a consultant to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Educational Testing Service, Arts Horizons, AtlantiCare Health System, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The New Jersey Councils for the Arts and the Humanities, The New Jersey Department of Education, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, Virtua Health System and countless school districts from coast to coast. He has also been an educational advisor to PBS television programs on poetry produced by Bill Moyers. He was recognized as a Distinguished Teacher by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars in the Arts. www.peteremurphy.com
Paul Rabinowitz is a writer, photographer, and founder of ARTS By The People, a non-profit arts organization. He is the author of 6 books including his forthcoming novel, Confluence, published by Guernica Editions. Rabinowitz’s photography, prose and poetry appear in magazines and journals including The Sun Magazine, New World Writing, Arcturus-Chicago Review Of Books, The Montreal Review, Talking River Review, and elsewhere. Rabinowitz was a featured artist in Nailed Magazine in 2020, Mud Season Review in 2022, Apricity Press in 2023, Rappahannock Review in 2024 and The Woven Tale Press in 2025. His poems and fiction are the inspiration for 8 award winning experimental films, including Best Experimental Short at Cannes, Venice Independent Film Festival, Paris Film Festival and others. His photography and poems appeared in a multimedia solo exhibit called Retrospective With Reading Glasses at CCM Gallery in 2022 and TWINING at Canal Studios, Lambertville, NJ, forthcoming in June, 2026. Rabinowitz is the founder of The Platform, a monthly literary series in New Jersey, and Platform Review, a journal of voices from The Garden State. He was nominated for the Maria Mazziotti Gillan Literary Service Award for outstanding service in the literary arts. www.paul rabinowitz.com/.

A Raisin In The Sun
2026-02-27 20:00 - 2026-03-08 18:00
A Raisin in the Sun follows the Younger family as they struggle over money, dreams, and dignity after receiving a life-insurance check. Each family member’s vision of a better future clashes with racism, poverty, and hard reality, forcing them to choose between safety and self-respect.
Show Dates and Time
First Weekend: February 20th and 21st: 8 pm February 22nd: 2 pm
Second Weekend: February 27th and 28th: 8 pm March 1st: 2 pm

Stained Glass Workshop: Shamrock
2026-03-07 09:00 - 12:30
Stained Glass Workshop – One Day Only!
Discover the art of stained glass in this hands-on, one-day workshop! In just 3.5 hours, you’ll learn the basics of cutting, foiling, and soldering glass as you create your very own colorful stained glass piece to take home. Perfect for beginners, this workshop includes all tools and materials—just bring your creativity!
No experience necessary. All supplies included. Leave with a finished stained glass project!

Lecture: Hidden in Plain Sight - The de Kooning Theft
2026-03-07 15:00 - 16:00
A stolen de Kooning. A suburban couple. A painting hidden for 30 years. Artist and Investigative Journalist: Charles Sabba explores the strange, true story behind one of the most improbable art thefts in modern history.
March 7th at 3 pm
Adults: $15.00
Seniors: $10.00
High School and College Students: Free

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Adult $15.00 USD

Senior $10.00 USD

By The Hands of Women Art Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-03-14 15:00 - 17:00
This exhibition also honors the legacy of duCret’s founder, Marjorie Van Emburgh, whose commitment to arts education and advocacy for women artists helped establish a lasting creative community.
In the spirit of her vision and in celebration of our 100th year in Plainfield, By the Hand of Women seeks to amplify women’s voices across disciplines and celebrate the enduring impact of women as makers, thinkers, and cultural contributors.

Spring Awakening - Ferrell Studios
2026-03-20 20:00 - 2026-03-22 17:00
Spring Awakening is a groundbreaking rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater, adapted from the controversial 1891 play by Frank Wedekind. Set in a repressive 19th-century German society, the show follows a group of teenagers as they discover the complexities of their changing bodies, desires, and identities in a world that refuses to educate or support them. The story examines the tragic consequences of ignorance, censorship, and societal shame surrounding sex and mental health. With a powerful alternative rock score, Spring Awakening bridges the past and present, giving voice to young people silenced for generations.
Content Warning: Spring Awakening contains mature themes including sexual content, abuse, suicide, and strong language. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Viewer discretion is advised.
Four Shows:
Friday, March 20th: 8 pm
Saturday March 21st: 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday March 22nd: 2 pm

Tickets - Click Here

Silent Movie - Comedy Triple Header
2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:30
Experience the magic of silent movies with live organ accompaniment by award-winning organist and Plainfield resident Ian Fraser ianfraserorganist.com/ on his digital touring theatre organ.
Enjoy free popcorn and get ready to laugh along with the antics of silent film comedy legends Buster Keaton (Sherlock Jr.), Charlie Chaplin (The Adventurer) and Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (The Battle of the Century).
Don’t miss this chance to see these 3 short comedies the way people did before the advent of the talking picture!
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Adult Tickets $20.00

Teen Tickets $15.00

Latin Dance Class - Absolute Beginner
2026-04-04 13:00 - 2026-04-11 14:00
Always wanted to learn Latin dance but have little to no experience?
This is the class for you!
Come join this fun-filled class and learn Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. Come solo or with a partner.
Everyone will learn individual moves, as well as partnered moves and turns.
Class will focus on fundamental, basic steps in a casual social setting- not a ballroom type of vibe- just fun!

Absolute Beginner Latin Dance Class
Saturday April 4th 1-2PM $30
Saturday April 11th 1-2PM $30
Register Below:

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April 4th $30.00 USD

April 11th $30.00 USD

Learn to Look: The Impressionists
2026-04-04 15:00 - 16:00
Learning to Look: The Impressionists
In this new lecture series, Jenevieve DeLosSantos will talk about the Impressionist movement and the artists central to it.
She will talk about how to view works from this movement, its history, artists like Monet, and the characteristics of Impressionist paintings.
Jenevieve DeLosSantos, Ph.D, teaches art history at Rutgers University.
Saturday, April 4th 3-5PM lecture 4-5PM reception
Adult: $15.00 Senior: $10.00
Students are free
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Adult $15.00 USD

Senior $10.00 USD

Field Poetry Reading Series - April 23rd
2026-04-23 19:00 - 21:00
Join us at the duCret Center of Art for an evening of powerful poetry at The Fields Poetry Reading Series. This special event features acclaimed poets James Hoch and Jen DeGregorio, who will share selections from their celebrated work in an intimate and engaging setting.
This is a free event, open to the public, and a great opportunity to experience contemporary poetry up close while connecting with fellow lovers of the arts.
The evening will also include an open mic session, inviting audience members to step up and share their own poetry or creative writing. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just want to listen and be inspired, all are welcome.
Come for the featured readings, stay for the community, and maybe even take the mic yourself.

NJ One Act Play Festival - Matters of the Heart
2026-04-24 20:00 - 2026-04-26 17:00
Dragonfly Multicultural Art Center presents the 2026 NJ One Act Festival: Matter of the Heart, an evening of original short plays by New Jersey playwrights that dig into love, loss, and everything in between. With a mix of fresh voices and seasoned artists, each piece offers a different, deeply human perspective on what it means to care, connect, and keep going. Matter of the Heart is intimate, honest storytelling designed to stay with you long after the lights go down.
April 24th and 25th at 8 pm
April 26th at 3 pm

Tickets

Stained Glass Workshop - Tulip
2026-04-25 09:00 - 12:30

The Art of Christine Myshka - Reception
2026-05-09 15:00 - 17:00
Join us on May 9th from 3 – 5 pm for the Opening Reception of the art exhibition:
The Art of Christine Myshka

Absolute Beginners Sewing
2026-05-16 09:30 - 12:00
Absolute Beginners Sewing Class
Never touched a sewing machine—or feeling intimidated by one? This Absolute Beginners Sewing Class is designed to get you comfortable, confident, and sewing right away.
This hands-on introductory sewing class is perfect for true beginners or anyone who wants a clear, stress-free refresher. You’ll learn the fundamentals of using a sewing machine, including how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine, sew straight and curved stitches, pivot corners, measure accurately, pin fabric, and complete a simple sewn accessory.
By the end of class, the sewing machine will no longer feel mysterious, and you’ll leave with practical skills you can immediately build on.
No experience required.No sewing machine or supplies needed—we provide everything.
If you’ve been saying “I’ve always wanted to learn to sew,” this is your moment. Space is limited, and this class fills quickly
Register now and finally get started.

The Grand Art Tour Lecture Series: See Naples and Die
2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:00
Exploring the Art of Naples
Discover Naples—the bold, soulful heart of Italian art. Older than Rome and bursting with creative energy, Naples rivals Florence and Venice in artistic splendor. From the vast collections of the Capodimonte Museum and MANN to Caravaggio’s transformative masterpieces and the Baroque brilliance that followed, the city radiates artistic power.
Today, Naples thrives as a center of innovation with the Academia di Belle Arti, vibrant galleries, and a street culture where art and life intertwine. Join us to explore a city where history, passion, and imagination collide—and where every corner tells a story.
May 16th : 2 pm to 3 pm with a reception to follow

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Adult $15.00 USD

Senior $10.00 USD

Stained Glass Workshop - Butterfly
2026-05-23 09:00 - 12:30

Stained Glass Workshop - Lotus
2026-06-27 09:00 - 12:30
