Westport Collective Artists Host Annual 12 x 12 Art Show At The Playhouse
The weather, attendance, and sales, were all brisk last night at the Artists Collective of Westport’s fifth Annual 12 x 12 exhibit in the Sheffer Studio at the Westport Playhouse.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Local musician Warren Bloom entertained the crowd on guitar, while they enjoyed the art, wine and refreshments. The show will be open today, Thursday, from 2 to 3pm, and 2 to 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 100 affordable works of art by 100 artists in various media, and all 12” x 12” perfect holiday gifts. Ten pieces sold quickly, but many more great ones remain.
Work by the artists may be viewed at www.artistscollectiveofwestport.org. Select ARTISTS from the menu bar.
For purchase information call or text Miggs Burroughs at 203-984-3179.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 38. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. East wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Steady temperature around 39. Breezy, with an east wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
DPW Reminds Residents of Plow Route Priorities, Safety Warnings
The Department of Public Works (DPW) reminds Westport residents to slow down and use extra caution when driving in winter conditions and particularly when they are near snowplows.
PLOW ROUTES – The streets are plowed and sanded in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead-end streets. A single pass will be made on side streets to keep them open, but primary emphasis will be placed on main roads until the storm has stopped. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead-end streets, but main roads must remain open.
FOLLOWING PLOWS - Never follow a plow too closely or attempt to pass one. Passing snowplows or driving aggressively can be dangerous for a number of reasons: Plow trucks weigh several tons and have many blind spots; snowplows cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly and by necessity drive slowly when clearing and treating roads; reduced speed allows salt to stay in travel lanes, limiting the amount that scatters off the road. This saves taxpayer money and minimizes environmental impacts.
Plowing can also create a cloud of snow around the truck that causes limited visibility and whiteout conditions for passing motorists. It also creates a ridge of snow between lanes that makes passing inadvisable. Motorists are reminded to stay several car lengths behind plow trucks.
Residents who have questions may call Public Works at (203) 341-1120. Additional information and FAQ may be found at: Public Works FAQ Snowplowing
Westport Museum Announces New Garden Space for Summer 2023
Contributed rendering. In Summer 2023, a new green space will be coming to downtown Westport. Visitors will be able to enjoy lovely grounds, meet friends and simply take a break at Westport Museum’s Revitalized grounds and gardens. Work will begin in December 2022.
The site design was inspired by an archival plan developed by Silvia Erskine Associates in the early 2000’s. Lyonsplain Architecture, Growing Solutions and Fairfield County Engineering advanced the design to further enhance and complement the property and to ensure the walkway system is accessible to all. Growing Solutions’ selection of plantings is deer resistant, incorporates plenty of CT-native and historically significant species, and is attractive throughout the seasons.
The plan includes winding paths through native flower beds and shrubbery that welcomes pollinators. Walkways will be fashioned from the original, antique bluestone pavers that were originally on the property but were removed in 2017 and replaced by engraved and plain bricks. The bricks—purchased by donors as part of a Historical Society fundraiser—will be reset as decorative edging around the new pathways and in other designated areas.
"The garden revitalization is integral to creating a welcoming, beautiful campus anchored by the historic cobblestone barn and the Bradley-Wheeler House," said Przada. "New plantings, walkways, and benches will vibrantly activate the space to create interest and engagement at the far end of the town."
The new garden design is part of a larger project by Lyonsplain Architecture, a woman-owned firm specializing in the cultural design and the restoration and revitalization of historic spaces. Lyonsplain oversaw the heritage restoration of the Museum’s 7-sided Cobblestone Barn, which is the only one of its kind in Connecticut and one of the few in New England. The project included restoration of original windows, replacement lighting, floor and roof replacement, and interior climate conditioning to protect the building from climate-change provoked extremes of heat, cold and moisture that are very different from when the structure was originally built.
"It's been an honor to direct this important mission to save a building that is unique to the town, state, and the region,” said Hanna Przada, owner, and lead architect of Lyonsplain Architecture. The firm’s work includes high-end residential as well as commercial and cultural projects. "Westport Museum has preserved a treasure for generations to come. It's a feather in the community's cap."
While the Museum is private property and not a town entity the organization looks forward to welcoming the public to enjoy the grounds during open hours. The Museum plans to use the barn and revitalized garden space for Museum programs and as an event venue as well. Rentals will be available for weddings, conferences, photo shoots and other special events.
"The Westport Museum for History & Culture engages the public with innovative and exciting approaches to history. The barn and garden revitalization further that public interaction. These projects have been made possible through the efforts of our Executive Director working with our dedicated donors,” said the Museum’s Chairperson, Darcy Hicks. “Our goal is for people of all ages to linger, talk, make art, read, have meetings, or just sit and enjoy a coffee or a lunch break.”
The restoration of the Cobblestone Barn and garden revitalization has been made possible by a generous gift from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. Richard Orenstein, Trustee of the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust said he was pleased to have delightful open space “smack in the middle of downtown Westport”.
“The Trust is proud to partner with Westport Museum and support its mission of creatively engaging the community in inclusive history and civic discussion,” he said.
There are additional donor opportunities for benches, plantings, and lighting and those interested should contact Jessica DeRosa at jderosa@westporthistory.rog Further plans for the garden improvement project include restoration of the antique iron fence and stone pilasters as well as removal of diseased trees and shrubbery from the grounds.