How long is the workshop and demo?

The program runs in two parts: a 4:00–5:30 p.m. Happy Hour with a pewter‑pouring demonstration, then a 5:30–7:00 p.m. brooch‑making workshop (about 1.5 hours for the workshop portion).

Can I buy pieces by Em Rooney at the event?

Yes—visitors may browse and purchase pieces from Em Rooney in The Aldrich Shop; workshop participants also have the option to buy artist pendants for an additional fee that goes directly to the artist.

Is there an age minimum for participants?

Age restrictions are not specified in the provided listing; contact The Aldrich directly to confirm any minimum age or parental supervision requirements.

Do I need prior metalworking experience?

No prior experience is required—this is an introductory, hands‑on workshop led by the artist focused on basic filing and assembly techniques.

Is the event accessible?

Accessibility details were not provided in the listing; reach out to The Aldrich for information on venue access and any accommodations you may need.

What should I wear to the workshop?

Wear comfortable, older clothes and closed‑toe shoes; small metal filings are possible during finishing, so avoid loose, delicate fabrics.

Em Rooney Brooch-Making Workshop at The Aldrich, Ridgefield

On a Friday evening in Ridgefield, Connecticut, The Aldrich opens a different kind of trailhead: a narrow path from museum lobby to worktable where molten pewter, artist Em Rooney’s steady hands, and a tray of mismatched molds converge. The Aldrich in Ridgefield, Connecticut, hosts a Happy Hour that pairs gallery browsing with a pewter‑pouring demonstration followed by a hands‑on brooch‑making workshop led by Em Rooney. It’s an intimate, tactile alternative to a typical outdoor excursion—a creative route into local culture.

Start the night at 4:00 p.m. for Happy Hour Fridays: Em Rooney pours pewter into molds and talks through her mold‑making and finishing techniques while visitors sip and shop at The Aldrich’s recently re‑opened Shop. At 5:30 p.m., the brooch workshop begins. Over 90 minutes you’ll file, refine, and assemble a wearable piece inspired by Rooney’s Clits.r.us line, with the option to buy artist‑made pendants after class to support the maker directly. The setup feels like a field lab—diagnostic tools become studio tools; bench spaces replace trail benches.

What makes this experience special is that it compresses a maker’s studio into a museum evening: you’re not just watching craft, you’re joining a practiced rhythm of pouring, cooling, filing, and finishing. The scene features the artist’s pouring station, the Shop’s curated display cases, and a communal workbench where small hand tools and metal filings collect like evidence of a shared creative journey. There aren’t notable geological formations here—the draw is cultural and material, the shine and texture of pewter rather than a rock face—but the workshop does locate you in Ridgefield’s lively arts corridor.

This is a standout offering because it connects museum energy to direct participation and artist support. It’s a practical way to learn about mold‑making processes that rarely open to the public, and to leave with something you crafted yourself. The Aldrich’s program highlights the living economy of making—students and collectors mingle, and proceeds for add‑ons go straight to the artist.

Expect the metallic tang of hot metal, the rhythmic rasp of files, and the hush of gallery spaces punctuated by conversation. The workshop rewards patience and fine‑motor focus more than athleticism; it converts curiosity into a keepsake and a clearer sense of how metal is shaped. Perfect for craft‑curious visitors and locals alike, it's a relaxed evening activity—bring closed‑toe shoes, a card for shop purchases, and curiosity to learn.

About The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut presents rotating contemporary art exhibitions and artist-centered programs.

The museum offers guided and self-guided experiences for a broad range of visitors, including General Admission visits, All Ages Discovery Tours, Story-Time for Kids, Seniors-Only Tours, and specialized programs such as Care and Connection for visitors with memory loss and their care partners. Visitors can attend artist conversations, performances, and public programs — examples include talks with artists Martin Beck and Elle Pérez, and performances by Sarah Hennies and Tristan Kasten-Krause connected to Zak Prekop’s Durations and its publication launch. The site includes a newly renovated Sculpture Garden that hosts outdoor events and provides a reflective setting for exhibitions and gatherings. Educational offerings extend to Educator Open House events that feature curator-led tours with Associate Curator Eduardo Alfonso, studio activities, networking opportunities, and resources for classroom engagement. The museum’s public programs also include seasonal offerings like Happy Hour Fridays, which combine late-night access, guided tours, and hands-on activities in The Studio while guests relax in the Sculpture Garden. The Aldrich supports family engagement through Story Time in partnership with the Ridgefield Library and regular Sunday Afternoon Tours led by education staff. As a focused contemporary art institution, the museum maintains an artist-centric approach to exhibitions, programs, and publications, prioritizing direct engagement with artists’ practices and thoughtful public interpretation. Hours, ticketing, and current exhibitions are available on the website.