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James Bairaktaris 7/1/22 James Bairaktaris 7/1/22

Dazzling Show over the Sound

Explosions rocked the Sound as the twinkling lights dazzled the community Thursday night during the Westport PAL annual fireworks show. Photo by Nancy Lally for WestportLocal.com

James Bairaktaris 7/1/22 James Bairaktaris 7/1/22

Finding a Seat on the Jetty for the Fireworks

Dozens used the Compo Beach jetty as a spot to sit and enjoy the fireworks Thursday night in celebration of Independence Day. Photo by Hugo Jacques for WestportLocal.com

James Bairaktaris 7/1/22 James Bairaktaris 7/1/22

Fire on Fireworks Barge “Under Investigation”

Westport Fire Department Press Release:

At approximately 9:30 pm on June 30, 2022, during the annual Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) Fireworks Celebration, a fire started on the barge's deck used to launch the fireworks. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, and there were no injuries nor property damage. The Westport Fire Department was able to coordinate with the crew from Fireworks by Grucci to ensure their safety and the safety of the public during the fire. Westport Firefighters on the scene were assisted by a fire boat from the Norwalk Fire Department to extinguish the fire.

The fire was extinguished at 11:25 pm, and the barge was able to return to Long Island to set up for another fireworks display tonight.

James Bairaktaris 7/1/22 James Bairaktaris 7/1/22

Morning Weather Report

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 8 to 13 mph.

Tonight

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.

Tomorrow

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 86. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tomorrow Night

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 66. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

High Tides

1:38 PM

Low Tides

7:44 PM

J.C. Martin 6/30/22 J.C. Martin 6/30/22

Congressman Jim Himes at MoCA Westport Celebrating Congressional Art Competition Winners

Congressman Himes recognized the winners and participants of the annual Congressional Arts Competition. Students from across the district and their families joined the Congressman for a reception to celebrate and display their excellent work. “This is a great way to connect and showcase the talent that’s in our district.” said Himes.

Winning entries from the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, work by (L. to R.), "Hope" by Sarah Li, "Time Tell of Trauma and Triumph" by Celine Fong and "Comfort Food" by Helen Zhou.

There were 22 entries in this year's competition from residents of the CT-4th district which includes Westport. Entries were judged by a panel of local artists and representatives of arts organizations in Southwest Connecticut.Congressman HImes had previously announced the winner of the competition, Sarah Li from Greenwich Academy who's piece is titled "Hope". Ms. Li will have her winning work displayed for one year at the United States Capitol alongside artwork from every congressional district across the country. Joining Congressman Himes is State Senator from Westport Will Haskell along with Congressman HImes’ aide Shindler Aguste. Haskell is finishing out his term and will be attending law school later this year and is not running for re-election.

OTHER WINNERS: Celine Fong of Rye Country Day School placed 2nd with her work titled "Time Tell of Trauma and Triumph". Third place was awarded to Helen Zhou from the Hopkins School for her piece titled "Comfort Food".

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

J.C. Martin 6/30/22 J.C. Martin 6/30/22

MoCA Westport “Women Pulling Threads of Social Discourse” Opens Today

MoCA Westport announces the opening of Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse in collaboration with The Contemporary Art Modern Project (The CAMP Gallery) and the Fiber Artists Miami Association (FAMA). The exhibition explores how female artists, utilizing textiles as their medium, subvert the social expectation of crafting by lambasting this soft medium with political and social awareness.

Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse will be on view at MoCA Westport from June 30 – September 4, 2022. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Museum. The reception is free and open to the public.

Photos from some of the artists are pictured here.

The exhibition was curated by Melanie Prapopoulos, Maria Gabriela Di Giammarco, and Mario Andres Rodriguez of The CAMP Gallery, with locations in both Miami, Florida and Westport, Connecticut.

Portions of this exhibition were originally shown at The CAMP Gallery Miami in partnership with Fiber Artists Miami Association (FAMA) in 2020. This inaugural collaboration featured predominantly female artists exploring their relationship with themselves and their communities at the intersections of femininity, race, history, and feminist socio-politics. The 2020 exhibition coincided with the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the United States the right to vote, the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and a Presidential election year.

The original exhibition has now expanded to include fiber works from artists in the Northeastern United States in an effort to reflect on action in the context of time, while exploring the feminine experience and identity across space.

Check out upcoming free Cocktails & Conversations events featuring speakers related to exhibition at: mocawestport.org

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery