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News

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Sculptor Lowell McFarland makes a point during today’s arts forum at the Westport Public Library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
By

Members of the arts community gathered today to discuss the issues they face and how to garner more interest in the arts in Westport.

The Westport Arts Advisory Council sponsored the forum at the library, which focused on how to educate the residents and visitors about programs offered at cultural venues throughout the community.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said those who have been in town for 50 or more years remember it as a community of artists.

Now it has developed into something different, he said.

Herb Meyers, advisory council member, agreed that Westport is no longer a community of artists.

“You don’t have someone who works on a lobster boat all day and then paints in the evening,” he said. “What we could be is a community of the greatest audiences.”

There needs to be cooperative effort from organizations to promote the arts, Joseloff said, and town officials are willing to help do that in campaigns such as “Celebrate Westport,” which is something he first spoke about during the campaign last fall.

“Celebrate Westport” would help market the arts organizations and their events, he said, through venues like the town’s Web site.

“We have pledged to help the arts scene,” he said. “There is potentially financial help. We’re all together in this and we need to support each other.”

Mollie Donovan, advisory council co-chairwoman, said one place the group could start working is around the Downtown Merchant’s annual arts festival.

The library has its book sale that weekend, and the Westport Historical Society also holds activities, she said. Potentially others could get involved, she said.

The Westport Historical Society is working on a grant to create more information sources about Westport’s cultural activities.

“We basically are answering what needs to be done to make Westport a destination,” she said.

One piece would be signs in the downtown area with a map, she said, which featured the “you are here” arrow.

The map, she said, would point people to local cultural venues.

Then there would be brochures with the map, a calendar and information about area organizations, Donovan said, and finally a Web site with similar information and links to the organizations’ Web sites.

“We hope to do this even if we don’t get the grant,” she said.

The group also discussed a Web site with a calendar and other information about cultural activities.

Alison Harris, Westport Country Playhouse executive director, said when she is traveling, she researches the community ahead of time via the Internet.

“Then I can think through what I’m going to do while I’m there,” she said.

Ann Sheffer, who is involved with a number of arts-related organizations, said there could be a system like the Town Hall e-mail list, which sends meeting notices to those who are interested.

“Not everyone looks at a Web site every day,” she said.

It’s a question of how to reach those who are the busiest, she said.

“They are too busy and don’t read the newspaper or get to it days later,” she said.

Posted 04/11 at 11:49 AM

Comments: Comment Policy

If there is money available why not create a DVD/film entitled :Celebration Westport/Destination Westport. It could be shown at Levitt events and other venues.Also distribute copies at Summer Arts Festival , Playhouse, Library, realtors etc. There is more to Westport than shopping and restaurants If there is an interest in this let me know

Posted by Arline P.Gertzoff on April 11, 2006 at 05:06 PM | #

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