Westport Arts
Advisory Committee
Committed to increasing public awareness of Westport's cultural resources.
HERE'S WHAT"S HAPPENING!
Art, Jazz + the Blues—curated by Anne Boberski, Ive Covaci and the WestPAC Committee—explores the powerful intersections between visual art and music, drawing from the rich holdings of the Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC).
The exhibition centers on Giants of the Blues, a sweeping series of seven group portraits by Westport native Eric von Schmidt (1931–2007) honoring blues, jazz, and folk musicians from the 1920s to the 1960s. Complementing von Schmidt’s paintings are approximately forty artworks from the WestPAC collection depicting musicians, inspired by musical themes, or exploring the resonances between musical and visual forms. A selection of important loans from galleries, museums, artists and private collections deepen the conversation, and a screening room features historic performance footage of musicians portrayed in von Schmidt’s paintings. As the jazz great Charlie Parker once said, the show invites visitors to “hear with your eyes and see with your ears.”
The East Coast Contemporary Ballet (ECCB) returns to MoCA\CT with a special Salon Series evening featuring an excerpt from their upcoming Spring Season and a live artist talk-back. Experience a powerful new work inspired by Luca Serasini’s Waiting for Angels, and stay for a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artists behind the performance.
Join guest WPKN DJs Richard Epstein and Jim Motavalli as they spin curated jazz selections inspired by the exhibition Art, Jazz + the Blues. Guided by the pair’s stories and insights, guests can explore the gallery, dance, and enjoy the conversation.
Presented in conjunction with Art, Jazz + the Blues, this community conversation explores Connecticut’s rich jazz legacy and its far-reaching influence beyond the Yale School of Music. Professor Thomas Duffy and Director of Jazz Ensembles Wayne Escoffery share stories of mentorship, collaboration, and music’s enduring social power, with a live saxophone interlude by Grammy-Award-winning Escoffery.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of exceptional musicianship featuring acclaimed violinist Karisa Chiu—praised for her “distinctive and fascinating intellect” and award-winning artistry—alongside the brilliant pianist Frederic Chiu, celebrated for his bold and imaginative programming. Together, this extraordinary duo brings the stage to life with a richly expressive program that intertwines the refined lyricism of Fauré, the dramatic intensity of Prokofiev, and the striking contemporary voice of Bright Sheng to create a performance overflowing with depth, color, and connection.
​WAAC's current initiatives include an annual TEA (Thinkers, Educators, Artists) Talk; the installation and maintenance of sculptures and monuments in town parks and the establishment of a Poet Laureate for Westport as of July 1, 2019.
Have an interest in helping arts organizations in town? Joining the Westport Arts Advisory Committee?
Please reach out to Nancy Diamond, CoChair WAAC