New Exhibition Celebrating the Interplay Between Visual Art and African American
Musical Traditions Now Open Through June 7
(Westport, CT) March 2, 2026 — The Museum of Contemporary Art \ Connecticut (MoCA\CT) and the Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) celebrated the opening of Art, Jazz + the Blues February 26 with a sold-out reception that drew hundreds of members, artists, and community supporters. The exhibition, curated by Anne Boberski, Ive Covaci, and the WestPAC Committee, is now open to the public through June 7, 2026.
The evening began with a buzzing 5pm Members’ Preview, where guests enjoyed Jazz Age–inspired cocktails, an abundant offering of gourmet bites by A·S Westport, and specially made chocolates in the shape of instruments by Chocolatieree.
From 6–8pm, the sold-out public reception was complemented by a live piano performance from legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and WPKN host Mark Naftalin, whose music added ambiance to the evening.
The evening brought in celebrated guests who included: featured artists Eric Chiang, Tudor Maier, and Larry Silver; Caitlin von Schmidt (daughter of artist Eric von Schmidt); Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie; Town Curator and Executive Director of the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center Kathie Bennewitz; MoCA\CT Chairman Bill Felton and President Jodi Felton; Curator of The Brubeck Collection jazz archive at Wilton Library Michael Bellacosa; and Benefactor David Thompson. Exhibition Sponsors also attended: Conlon Amendola’s Jacquelyn Conlon, Bonnie Amendola, Beth Child, Emily Larsen, and Laura Brea; Harlan and Sabina Stone; Carl Muller, KMS Team at Compass members Mary Ellen Gallagher, Karen Hagen, Kim Harizman, and Susan Seath.
Giants of the Blues, musician and artist Eric von Schmidt’s impressive and monumental series of group portraits of blues and folk legends anchored the exhibition, presented alongside more than fifty works by celebrated international and local artists.
The works — drawn from the Westport Public Art Collections and loans from ACA Galleries, The Brubeck Collection at Wilton Library, Eric Chiang, Michael Cummings, Fairfield University Art Museum, Housatonic Museum of Art, Tudor Maier, Mark & Ellen Naftalin, Larry Silver, the Westport Library Collection, and private collectors, among others — explore the deep connections between visual art, jazz, and the blues.
In her opening remarks, MoCA\CT’s Executive Director, Robin Jaffee Frank, reflected on both Westport’s rich artistic history and the exhibition’s expansive, inclusive scope. “Westport has long been a sanctuary for artists and musicians; in fact, half of the 60 works you see tonight are by local artists, many of whom lived double lives as musicians,” she said. “At the same time, this exhibition reaches far beyond geography. It honors the African American musical traditions that gave birth to these genres and celebrates some of the most significant Black artists in American history, including Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Sam Gilliam, and Jack Whitten, among others.”
Echoing that spirit of connection and shared influence, co-curator Ive Covaci highlighted the exhibition’s underlying themes as she introduced the works. “One of the threads running through this exhibition is mentorship and community — artists supporting artists, musicians learning from each other, and creative circles shaping entire movements,” she explained.
Co-curator Anne Boberski expanded on that idea of artistic dialogue and exchange. “Nothing in this exhibition exists in a vacuum,” she said. “Every artist here was influenced by friendships, collaborations, and cultural exchange.”
Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie also underscored the exhibition’s community dimension and the power of art to bring people together, encouraging guests to fully embrace the experience: “Enjoy the inspiration that’s all around you.”
The exhibition continues until June 7 with a robust schedule of public programming, including:
Feb 28 – Film Screening: Leadbelly (1976), directed by Gordon Parks, 4–7pm, followed by a Q&A with Prof. Sheila Curran Bernard, author of Bring Judgment Day: Reclaiming Lead Belly’s Truths from Jim Crow’s Lies (2024)
Mar 5 – Curators’ Talk with Anne Boberski and Ive Covaci, 6–7pm, “Blues Off the Wall” with Tim Cole on guitar, 5:30–6pm
Mar 8 – MoCA\CT Presents: Etienne Charles Quartet, 4-6pm
Mar 26 – Community Conversation: Jazz Inspirations, 6–7pm, featuring a panel of musicians. “Blues Off the Wall” with Tim Cole, 5:30–6pm
Apr 9 + 10 – Visualizing Sound Art Workshop: Jazz, Blues & Abstract Expression, 12–2pm
Apr 12 – MoCA\CT Presents: Brubeck Brothers Quartet, 6-8pm
For a full schedule, visit mocact.org.
About WestPAC
The Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) include nearly 2,000 works in diverse media — from paintings and prints to photographs, sculpture, and murals — by major American and international artists. Most were donated by artists, heirs, and collectors and are displayed throughout Westport’s municipal buildings and public schools. The town-appointed WestPAC Committee cares for the collection and uses original art to inspire and educate students, residents, and the broader community.
About WAAC
The Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC) vision is to enhance the visibility of the arts in our community, serve as a bridge between the arts and education, encourage cohesiveness among artists, arts and cultural organizations and the general public, strengthen the role the arts play in the lives of Westport residents, preserve Westport’s artistic heritage, and perpetuate Westport as a thriving center for artistic and cultural activity. WestPAC is a subcommittee of WAAC. Learn more on westportarts.org.
About MoCA\CT
The Museum of Contemporary Art \ Connecticut (MoCA\CT) presents thought-provoking exhibitions, performances, and education programs that enrich the cultural landscape of Connecticut and beyond. Through the visual arts, community engagement, and multidisciplinary initiatives, MoCA\CT connects diverse audiences with the art and ideas of our time.
MoCA\CT is grateful to the generous support of Art, Jazz + the Blues sponsors Conlon Amendola, Attorneys at Law + Design Within Reach + The Ellis Family + Bill and Jodi Felton + Hofstetter Baron Group + Honda of Westport + KMS Team at COMPASS + Cynthia and Carl Muller + Joyce Pauker + Russell Insurance + Harlan and Sabina Stone + The Joyce Thompson Art Fund
MoCA\CT is also grateful to the generous support of Art, Jazz + the Blues partners A·S Westport + Chocolatieree + Imageworks + Westport Journal + Dan Woog / 06880 + WPKN + WSHU
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sandra Nygaard
Director of Marketing and Communications, MoCA\CT
sandra@mocact.org
(office) 203.222.7070, (cell) 718.928.4212
Folder link to images and Identification list
Art, Jazz + the Blues: Westport Public Art Collections
February 26 – June 7, 2026
MoCA\CT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport CT