WAAC Culture Corner: Bringing the Heat for August
Prepared by Diane Lowman, Westport Poet Laureate and WAAC Member
Lauren Gelgor Kaplan. Photo by Jerri Graham PhotographyWelcome back to the Westport Local Press’s Westport Arts Advisory Committee’s “Culture Corner.” Each month, the WAAC scours our 33.45 square miles and highlight one of the many artists – visual, written, performance, and other – who call Westport home. These artists create a spectrum of color that shines over town like the rainbows often seen over the Saugatuck, so we have made “color” our theme.
In August we honor orange, for the heat of summer, and the heat of featured artist’s Lauren Gelgor Kaplan’s kiln. Lauren and her family, natives of South Africa, moved here after living in Switzerland over 20 ago. I have known and admired her and her work for nearly all that time. Her life’s guiding principal, “life is not about give and take, but give and give,” resonates deeply and reflects in everything she does.
Her family arrived in the States a month prior to 9/11, and the event naturally shook her. To relieve that stress and meet new people, she looked for a creative outlet that would tap into her love of architecture and art (both grandfathers were artists). Having pursued ceramics as a hobby for the prior 30 years, she began classes at Silvermine to learn how to “throw on the wheel,” and spent several years there honing her craft.
Click here to expand the full article
A serendipitous transaction with another local artist who created a painting for her entry way brought Westport Magazine to her home to photograph that. There, they noticed her work in her African-inspired living room, and eventually featured her in a cover story. From there, Takashimaya and Bergdorf Goodman both sold her earthy, unique pieces.
The heat features heavily in her method, called Raku. This ancient Japanese technique, meaning “good surprise,” involves removing the piece from the kiln at a temperature of approximately 2,000 degrees, and submerging it in a trash can full of combustibles (newspaper, cardboard, or sawdust) so that the glaze cools more quickly than the clay. This results trademark Raku crackle reveals the black burnt carbon underneath, or as Lauren calls it, “painting with fire.” She delights in the unpredictability of this alchemy between art and science. Because the product of each firing is unpredictable, every single one of her thousands of pieces is unique. She notes that, as in life, there is only so much you can control, but the ceding of that control can produce tremendously gratifying results.
Lauren finds inspiration every day, everywhere in all her surroundings and encounters, and as such her art evolved constantly. While classic potters Hans Coper and Lucie Rie have influenced her, so have artists in her native Capetown. Her current series includes many natural elements such as twigs, twine, and Hawaiian driftwood. Lauren also practices the Japanese method of kintsugi to repair pieces. She loves the “perfect imperfections” implicit in some of her work – they represent embracing and honoring the scars we all earn throughout life.
She works in her home studio five days a week, using protective gear and tongs to extract her work from the kiln, each piece taking between four and six weeks to complete. In the spirit of “give and give,” Lauren has donated many of her pieces to charitable causes, including Pink Aid in support of Breast Cancer patients and survivors. The Brady Collection here in town, and Gallerie 1831 Paris represent her work. We are lucky to have her “hot” art here in our hometown. Please visit her website and Instagram page to see more of her work: LaurenKaplanCeramics.com, or @LaurenGelgorKaplan on Instagram
MoCA and WAAC Will Exhibit Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) Works in Winter Show
Contributed piece from the WestPAC collection. Photos by Larry Silver, Yangzhou, China, 1997-2000
Two community-focused arts organizations, MoCA Westport and Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC), are excited to announce a new collaboration that will commence with an exhibition at MoCA featuring selected works from Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC). The exhibition will be co-curated by Westport Town Curator Kathie Bennewitz and Liz Leggett, MoCA Westport's Director of Exhibitions. The exhibition will be on view at MoCA Westport (19 Newtown Turnpike) in the Winter of 2021/22.
WAAC's mission is to bring attention to Westport's artistic treasures, of which WestPAC is the most significant. "WestPAC has a foundation that dates back to 1910, with more than 1500 artworks displayed in schools and municipal buildings to create rich learning and visually stimulating environments," stated Bennewitz. "A partnership with MoCA Westport, with their expansive gallery space, is an ideal venue for ongoing thematic exhibitions from our collection," she added.
"We strive to present thought-provoking and relevant arts experiences, and we look forward to sharing WestPAC works that are often displayed in settings that may be inaccessible to the public. We hope that through this collaboration, we can create a dialogue, reframe perspectives and build community," stated Ruth Mannes, MoCA Westport's Executive Director.
Country Playhouse Announces Live, In-Person Shows Return this Fall
Photo by Robert BensonWestport Country Playhouse announces that in-person theatrical productions will resume this fall with a live staging of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama, “Doubt: A Parable,” playing November 2 through November 20. In addition, the play will be filmed before a live audience for on-demand streaming at home. “Doubt” is written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.
“Following the close of our 2019 season of plays, no one could have predicted that we would not produce a play on our stage in the presence of an audience until 23 months later,” said Michael Barker, Playhouse managing director. “For more than a year, we have produced online, outdoors, and on the radio, providing theatrical and educational programming for our immediate community and audiences around the world. Recently, we returned to the theater with comedy and cabaret performances, a toe in the waters of normalcy.
“Now we are back with one of the finest examples of modern American drama, beautifully produced on our stage in the presence of a living, breathing audience,” added Barker. ‘We simply cannot wait to welcome you back for ‘Doubt’!’
Earlier this year, the Playhouse announced an all-virtual 2021 season when pandemic safety concerns prevented producing a live show. Easing guidelines at federal, state, and local levels, as well as those of theatrical unions, has opened the door to live theater. As of July 28, 2021, all Playhouse visitors must provide proof of their Covid-19 vaccination to attend any performance or event at the Playhouse. In addition, all visitors, volunteers, and staff are required to wear a mask (unless part of the performance).
For updates on Covid-19 health and safety protocols at the Playhouse, please visit westportplayhouse.org/visit/covid19safety/
The Playhouse’s 2021 season also includes two HD video productions from the Playhouse archives streaming on-demand: the musical, “Man of La Mancha” (2018), from August 23 through September 5, and John Steinbeck’s drama, “Of Mice and Men” (2008), from September 13 through 26. Both productions are directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. All virtual content in the Playhouse’s 2021 season will be available on demand for patrons’ convenience, with captions in both English and Spanish translation. The complete schedule of 2021 Playhouse events is listed at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org
The 2021 season is generously supported by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. 2021 season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. The production of “Doubt: A Parable” is sponsored by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation, and Judy and Scott Phares.
All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Haiku Moment with Westport’s Poet Laureate
From Westport’s Poet Laureate Diane Lowman Oh where are you wolf
Howling at the full bright moon
Beneath my moon
Designer, Westporter Christian Siriano Hosts Art Show at Downtown Boutique
Fashion designer and Westporter Christian Siriano (left) spoke with Westport Second Selectwomen Jen Tooker (right) as he hosted an art show at 9 Sconset Square’s Swoon home furnishing boutique. Siriano is a recent addition to Westport, moving to the community just prior to the pandemic lockdowns in February 2020. Siriano grew to international fame after winning Project Runway’s fourth series, now designing for international community members - like Michelle Obama or Lady Gaga - in addition to interiors and home furnishings. His art show today displayed another artistic side of the designer, with his large paintings and sketches filling the downtown Westport storefront as an intimate crowd stood amongst them. To learn more about Siriano and his art, visit christiansiriano.com. WestportLocal.com photo
Playing Together since 1963, Billy and the Showmen Return to Westport
Bill Frenz plays electric guitar to a dancing crowd on Saturday evening at the Levitt Pavilion. The band has been playing together since 1963 throughout the New York and Connecticut regions, rocking rhythm and blues on local stages for generations. The group graduated Greenwich High School in 1968, and through life changes and 53 years - haven’t missed a beat yet. J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
“At Least We Tried” Portraits by Kids Raise Money for Good Causes at Weston Fine Arts Festival
Elizabeth Akolzina (11), Ava Long (13), and Adriana Long (10) lent their artistic skills to the portrait booth with a purpose during today’s Weston Fine Arts Festival in Weston Center. The “At Least we Tried” booth will be manned by student artists who draw portraits of customers for donations that go towards the Weston Arts and Weston Food Pantry. Customers receive their signed portrait in the colours of their own choosing, ready for framing at home. WestportLocal.com photo
Darlene Love Rocks and Rolls through Westport
Popular artist Darlene Love rocked Westport on Friday night from the Levitt Pavilion stage, a concert that went on sale in June and was quickly sold out. At 79 years old, Love and her band had guests on their feet dancing and singing to the songs and beats she’s been renowned for throughout the decades. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
Country Playhouse Opens their Doors on 90th Anniversary for One Night Only Comedy Show Screening
Westport Country Playhouse opens its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night only screening of a virtual production on its 90th anniversary, June 29. Contributed photo. Westport Country Playhouse Press ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse, closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, will kick-off its 90th anniversary year by bringing patrons back into its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night-only virtual production of the new comedy, “Tiny House,” projected on a big screen mounted above the stage. The in-person screening will be on Tuesday, June 29, at 7 p.m. The virtual production will also be available on-demand, from June 29 through July 18. “Tiny House” was filmed using digital technology during early spring when pandemic safety concerns and social distancing prevented producing a live show.
Exactly 90 years ago to the day, the Playhouse first opened its doors when Weston residents Lawrence Langner and his wife Armina Marshall founded the historic theater on June 29, 1931. Since then, the Playhouse has produced over 800 plays, some of which have transferred to Broadway.
Tickets for the in-person screening on June 29 are $20; general admission, seating on a first-come, first-served basis. All in-person patrons will attest to being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or willing to provide a negative PCR test result time stamped within 36 hours of the performance time. Covid-19 health and safety protocols, including capacity restrictions and mask-wearing, will be observed.
Click here for full release.
Current virtual performance ticketholders who want to instead attend the in-person screening may exchange their tickets by calling the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.
In “Tiny House,” fireworks fly when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a Fourth of July barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple. The comedy is written by Michael Gotch and directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.
“Tiny House” running time is approximately 100 minutes, including an intermission between the two acts. Appropriate for ages 14 and up. More information on “Tiny House” at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/tinyhouse/
The Playhouse’s 2021 Season continues with “Doubt: A Parable,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing November 2 through November 21. Two HD video productions from the Playhouse archives will stream on-demand, beginning with the musical, “Man of La Mancha” (2018), from August 23 through September 5, and another TBA, from September 13 - 26. Script in Hand playreadings will play October 19 – 24, and December 14 – 19; titles to be announced. All 2021 Playhouse events are listed at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/whats-on/
2021 Season Sponsor is the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. Production Sponsor is Barbara Samuelson. 2021 Season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers Rock Levitt’s Opening Night
Bruce Hornsby speaks to the crowd at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Westport Local Press photo. The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts celebrated its 2021 revival with a sold-out crowd for Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers this evening - the sounds of Hornsby’s Yamaha piano and a cheering crowd filling downtown with a message: the Levitt is back.
Bruce Hornsby & The NoisemakersAs the sun began to set over the Saugatuck, the nearby Levitt’s lawn was packed with hundreds of guests ready for the sounds of Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers.
Hornsby, a Grammy award winning musician, has toured the world with groups like Bruce Hornsby & The Range and The Grateful Dead - now adding the East bank of the Saugatuck to his list of music stops as he entertained the crowd of local fans. He played acoustic and varied sets of music, including his 1989 chart-topping song “The Way It Is” as adults, kids, and nearby neighbors danced in their seats and on the sidewalks. Hornsby took a moment to speak to the crowd, garnering laugher and cheers as he described moments of his life just meters away from the enamoured listeners wide-eyed faces.
Although filled with life and music tonight, the Levitt Pavilion remained shuttered just last year due to the pandemic - a hit for both the community and the charity, themselves. Founded in 1973, the Levitt is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to provide free access to local arts and music for all ages. To prepare for tonight’s opening, health precautions included pod-seating and sanitation stations throughout the outdoor venue, with guests bringing in their own lawn chairs and snack tables to make the space at home. COVID-19 cases remain nearly absent in Westport, with less than 3 cases being reported in the past ten days.
The community has gathered together on the grass along the Saugatuck to listen to bands and concerts for generations. Tonight, as the World continues to reopen - the sounds of piano songs filled the downtown area as the vibrant lights of the Levitt’s tents gave notice that The Levitt is back for Summer 2021.
Upcoming concerts this week include Midnight North, Goza Latin band, The Scott Sharrard Band, and Charles Turner and Uptown Swing. Schedules and donation opportunities can be found on their website, levittpavilion.com.