MORRIS - As winter loosens its grip across central New York, The Gatehouse Coffee Shop & Mercantile moves into April with  Spring Awakening, a dynamic series of events where art, nature, music, and creative practice come alive.

Each gathering builds on the next, tracing the quiet but undeniable shift from dormancy to renewal.

The season begins on Thursday, April 2 (4 – 6 p.m.), with a return to the soil. In the  Spring Seed Starting Workshop & Seed Swap, led by AC & Isaac Hill, participants gather around the earliest gestures of growth—learning the fundamentals of germination while exchanging seeds, stories, and knowledge. Hands move through soil, conversations take root, and the season begins.

On  Friday, April 3 (4 – 6 p.m.), the walls shift.  The Quiet Turning, an exhibition by local artist Elizabeth Wilde, opens and lingers in that delicate space between winter and spring. Spanning nearly two decades, Wilde’s atmospheric oil paintings hold expansive skies and shifting light in suspension—where stillness meets transformation, and change arrives almost imperceptibly.

By  Saturday, April 4 (1 – 3 p.m.), that transformation moves into process. In  Lumen Printing with Jenny Riffle, sunlight becomes the medium. Botanical forms meet photo paper, leaving behind soft, one-of-a-kind impressions shaped by time, light, and the natural world.

Sunday, April 5 (1 – 3 p.m.)  carries the energy into sound. Sunday Sessions welcomes  Healing Love Water, a collaborative musical project by Shira Small-Cangialosi and Adam Cooper, joined by a rotating ensemble of guest musicians. The space fills with layered sound—an immersive, unfolding experience that invites guests to settle in, listen deeply, and move at a slower rhythm.

That same day, a sense of play takes hold. With Easter arriving early this year, The Gatehouse hosts a one-day  Easter Sunday Egg Hunt Sale. Hidden throughout the shop, a limited number of eggs hold small surprises—complimentary coffee, sweet treats, and special retail offerings. Guests wander, discover, and engage with the space in a spirit of curiosity and delight. The experience is fleeting and first come, first served—arrive early and see what you uncover.

On  Friday, April 10 (6:30 p.m.), the focus turns to storytelling through film. A special screening of  Killing Me Softly With His Songs  brings the creative legacy of composer Charles Fox into focus. Introduced by local producer Taryn Grimes, who will be in attendance, the evening weaves together music, memory, and personal narrative. Suggested donation: $15.

The following day,  Saturday, April 11 (1 – 3 p.m.), language takes center stage. In  Spring Into Words: A Generative Writing Workshop  with Julene Waffle, participants draw inspiration from artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. Through guided prompts and creative exploration, writing becomes a vessel for growth, memory, and seasonal change.

On  Sunday, April 12 (1 – 3 p.m.), the afternoon gathers momentum through rhythm and sound. Multi-instrumentalist Chuck Wood takes the stage, bringing over four decades of experience as a composer, recording artist, and touring performer. His music moves fluidly across traditions—blending West African, Latin American, and Brazilian influences with American blues and R&B. Through layered percussion and guitar, the space comes alive with pulse and movement—an energizing counterpoint to the stillness of early spring, where rhythm carries the season forward.

By  Sunday, April 12 (5 – 6:30 p.m.), the pace softens.  Mindfulness Meditation: Reset | Renew | Refresh  creates space to pause and recalibrate. Through guided meditation, participants reconnect with breath and body—grounding themselves within the subtle yet powerful shift of the season.

On  Wednesday, April 15 (10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.), the series deepens. In partnership with Helios Care,  Creative Expression for Grieving Hearts, led by Zena Gurbo, holds space for the quieter truths of renewal—that growth and loss often arrive together. Through journaling, drawing, painting, and collage, participants move gently through grief in a supportive, communal environment. No prior art experience is necessary. Space is limited; advance registration is required by calling 607-432-5525.

This series spotlights just a selection of what’s happening at The Gatehouse. Behind it is a constantly evolving calendar—nearly 30 events each month spanning workshops, live music, classes, and community gatherings. There is always something unfolding—and often, something you’ll wish you hadn’t missed.

All events take place at The Gatehouse Coffee Shop & Mercantile in Morris, NY. Space is limited for workshops and many events fill quickly; advance registration is strongly encouraged.

Explore the full calendar, secure your spot, and stay connected at  www.thegatehouseny.com, visit us in person, or follow along on social media.

- Information from the Gatehouse Coffee Shop & Mercantile