Enroll for the Evening
Purchase Tickets / RSVP
Saturday, October 24, 2026
6 to 9 pm
General Admission—$200
Under 30—$100
Tickets sales close on October 9, 2026
Can’t attend but still want to donate?
Can’t join us on October 24th? You can still be part of Lyme Academy’s next fifty years. Click below to make a donation in any amount to support the students, faculty, and studios at the heart of the Academy.
About the Event
For fifty years, Lyme Academy has trained artists in the classical figurative tradition—drawing, painting, and sculpting from direct observation.
On October 24, we open the Academy to you.
Spend an evening as a student. Move through the classrooms. Draw, sculpt, study the figure. Meet the faculty and the artists they’re training. Stay for dinner and the silent auction.
Honoring
Michael T. Duffy
Retired Chair, 2020—2026
The Curriculum
Arrival 6:00—6:30 pm
Upon arrival at either entrance, you’ll be welcomed with a cocktail and a brief orientation before beginning your evening at the Academy.
Classes 6:30 pm
Demonstrations in drawing, painting, and sculpture will take place
in many of the studios. Enjoy cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while observing students and master artists practicing their skills, engaging in interactive discussions, and even try your hand at learning techniques to create your own masterpieces. Student guides will assist you in locating the studio classrooms.
Assembly 7:30 pm
Gather in the courtyard under the tent for a memorable evening of dinner and celebration.
Silent Auction
Visit our silent auction in the Chauncey Stillman Gallery, where you can view and bid on remarkable original artwork, as well as unique art experiences.
Class Dismissed 9:00 pm
No homework. No tests. Just art, inspiration, and a great evening!
The Silent Auction
Bid on original artwork and one-of-a-kind art experiences while supporting Lyme Academy’s mission.
Proceeds help provide scholarships, enrich student learning, and sustain Lyme Academy’s tradition of excellence in fine arts education.
Bidding opens at 6:00 pm.
Closes at 9:00 pm.
Questions?
Will I receive an actual ticket?
No. Your ticket purchase will add your name to our guest list, and your purchase receipt will serve as confirmation of your registration.
What should I wear?
There is no formal dress code; cocktail or elevated evening attire is appropriate, and guests are welcome to express their personal style and creativity. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended, as guests will be walking across campus to visit studios and a gallery, as well as dining under the tent and on the lawn.
Will there be dinner?
Yes. Dinner is served through a selection of food stations, with open seating available throughout the tent. Lyme Academy board members, faculty, and student representatives will be interspersed among guests at designated seats throughout the tables.
Are dietary restrictions taken into consideration?
The caterer provides several vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free items.
If I am unable to attend, may I make a donation to support Lyme Academy?
Yes. If you are unable to attend, you may use the ticket purchase form to make a donation in the amount of a ticket. If you would like to give more than the ticket amount, you may make an additional donation to support Lyme Academy here.
Parking & Directions
Parking
Guests may use either the North or South Entrance and parking lot, with welcome cocktails and orientation taking place on both sides of campus.
Guests using wheelchairs or other mobility aids are encouraged to use the South Entrance, where they may be dropped off in front of the Art Store and building entrance for the shortest distance and most accessible pathway.
Directions
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts is located at 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme
From I-95 North: Take Exit 70. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Route 156, then right at the second traffic light onto Halls Road. Follow Halls Road to the end and turn right onto Lyme Street. The Academy’s South Parking Lot is on the right, just beyond the I-95 overpass.
From I-95 South: Take Exit 70 and turn left at the end of the ramp onto Lyme Street. Continue to the Academy’s South Parking Lot, located on the right.
Thank You to Our 50th Anniversary Sponsors
Legacy Supporters / $10,000
Lyme Academy Board of Trustees
Will Allik
William Bachman
Melissa Barbieri
Lincoln Chan
David Kelsey
Charlotte Colby Danly
Eileen Eder
Michael Grimaldi
Laura Hansen
Joshua Janson
Laura Lee Miller
Paul Knierim
Allen Rosenshine
Martha Shoemaker
Susan Skelsey
Al Spagnolo
Mary Wilson
Benefactors / $2,500
Partners/ $1,000
Supporters / $500
