Communitynews:Westport Library earns special recognition

Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
Updated ·4 min read

Aug. 4—"This record is the product of collaboration among local artists and is the first of its kind issued by a public library," Blumenthal wrote. "This endeavor is an example of Westport at its best — the vision and vibrancy of the community and its commitment to artistic achievement, powering culture throughout the State of Connecticut."

Blumenthal noted that The Westport Library has enriched the community as a leading innovator since 1886, citing the MakerSpace, Library of Things, Seed Library, Cafe and Store, and prized collection of artwork.

"Verso Records, Volume One" can be purchased on limited yellow vinyl and/or digitally via Bandcamp, or at a host of local independent record stores and shops.

MoCA to hold Kaleidoscope exhibition

MoCA Westport will hold a one-day Kaleidoscope exhibition from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 27.

Kaleidoscope features works from both MoCA Gives Back Healing Arts and Camp MoCA Westport participants.

Curated by Healing Art Instructor Lewis Derogene, the MoCA Gives Back exhibition is a celebration of MoCA Westport's commitment to offer equitable access and meaningful experiences, including employment and access to the arts, to those who are under-resourced in our community.

The exhibition showcases artwork created by those who participated in healing arts classes led by MoCA Westport's art instructors. The artwork reflects the participants' inspiration, joy and deeper connection to the world that they experienced through the healing power of art.

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Simultaneously, camper artwork will be on view, created by participants in the Camp MoCA Westport 2023 summer season. MoCA Westport's weekly summer art camp for children features arts experiences aligned with the museum's exhibitions, outdoor activities, gardening and music.

This summer, young artists at Camp MoCA Westport delved into themes of self-expression, family and community, while honing their artistic skills and fostering character-building traits such as trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness and citizenship. All campers' artwork will be displayed.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from on-site food trucks.

Advance registration for Kaleidoscope on mocawestport.org is requested, but walk-ins are also welcome. There is a suggested donation of $10 per adult.

For more information on MoCA Gives Back, Camp MoCA or Kaleidoscope, visit mocawestport.org or contact academy@mocawestport.org. To learn more about sponsorships for these and other programs, contact Colleen Thomas, Director of Development, at development@mocawestport.org.

Community Garden celebrates 20th anniversary with special event

The Westport Community Garden will be celebrating its 20th anniversary and 100 years of Westport's arts heritage with The Artists Collective of Westport from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 5. The rain date is Aug. 6.

The garden invites the public create art in this bucolic setting. Artists, new artists, children and guests are encouraged to bring supplies in a variety of mediums including sketchbooks, cameras, pencils, easels and paints.

Refreshments will be provided.

Westport Library welcomes new board leadership

Westport Library has named a new president and three new members to the board of trustees.

Barrie Rosen has been elected as the new president of the board, taking over for Jeremy Price, who will remain on the board as immediate past president.

Rosen is a longtime advocate for the library and has served on the board since 2020, where she was also the secretary. A communications executive, she currently leads marketing communications at Consumer Reports after earlier stints at YP (formerly Yellowpages.com), Fox News, News 12 Connecticut and multiple public relations agencies. She also serves on the board of Staples Tuition Grants.

Price steps down after serving two years as president of the board, a tenure that featured the full-time return to in-person events, as well the fourth and fifth editions of StoryFest, the launch of VersoFest, two BOOKED for the evening programs and the return of the Malloy Lecture in the Arts. There was also Camp Explore, summer learning programs and "Verso Records, Volume One."

The library's fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. Board terms run four years, with each member eligible to serve two terms. It is made up of 20 members in total: 10 are selected by the library board and 10 by the Representative Town Meeting.

Joining the board for the coming term are Bob Boroujerdi, a former partner at Goldman Sachs who most recently served as a managing director at Third Point, LLC, an alternative asset manager; Mark Silverstein, an internet technology and media executive who has worked at Spotify, Luminary, and HuffPost; and Martina Sze, the chief development officer at HealthVest, a behavioral healthcare company with a mission of treating all patients, regardless of income.

They replaced departing members Rob Haroun, Jenna Markowitz and Meena Pellerin, all of whom made marked contributions to the library during their years of service on the board.