Howard Munce in the 1960s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The life of Howard Munce, the “dean of Westport artists,” is set to be celebrated Saturday, May 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Westport Arts Center (WAC), event planners announced today.

A Westport resident since 1935 and a spry, ubiquitous presence in town arts circles, Munce died at his Westport home on March 5 at 100.  (See WestportNow March 8, 2016)

He was revered as a painter, illustrator, sculptor and writer, as well as a living link to the town’s time-honored arts history.

“Howard Munce was an incredibly generous and talented man, whose guiding influence helped shape the Westport Arts Center, as well as the larger arts community of Westport,” said said Amanda Innes, WAC executive director.

The Westport Library today hosted the Altruistic Band performing soul, jazz, gospel, R&B and pop. Altruistic is a band comprised of musicians from many different walks of life. According to the band’s website, its sound “can be described as ‘Gumbo,’ combining the musical styles of Latin, Contemporary, Fusion, and Straight-ahead Jazz with Funk, R&B and Gospel rhythms.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show for local artists opened today in the club’s newly refurbished Bedford gallery. Westport artist Miggs Burroughs (above) curated the show, and among works displayed was his lenticular image of Howard Munce, the dean of Westport artists who died in March at age 100. The show, which continues Sunday noon to 4 p.m. , was dedicated to Munce’s memory. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport artist Miggs Burroughs today looks at an image of Howard Munce as a young man in a lenticular work honoring the late Westoirt artist, who died in March at age 100. The work is among those on display at the annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show, which opened today and continues Sunday. Burroughs was curator for the exhibit. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s opening of the annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show featuring local artists. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The kid band, Abby & the Roadsters, entertained tonight at Westport’s 323 Restaurant to the delight of a packed crowd. The youngsters, ranging in age from 11 to 13, started as winners in the 2015 BandJam at Ridgefield Playhouse, where they will appear again on Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. The group plays a brand of classic rock that ranges from The Beatles to The Who, Led Zeppelin and others. Members include lead singer Abby Giansiracusa, 13, of Danbury; drummer Vincent Fontenelli, 13, of Danbury; bassist Owen Hughes, 12, of Katonah, N.Y.; lead guitarist Anton Klettner, 12, of South Salem, N.Y.; his brother Joseph, 11, who plays keyboard, and Jack Reynolds, 12, of New Fairfield, who plays rhythm guitar. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Local business owner Dania Carine, born in Cuba, poses tonight at the Westport Arts Center in front of Jacqueline Brito’s “The Fleet (La Flota).” The work is featured in the Center’s new exhibit, “The Two Steps Forward: Cuban Contemporary Art,” which opened tonight and showcases contemporary Cuban art from the collection of Terri and Steven Certilman of Greenwich. The works collectively represent the country’s unique artistic talent. Curated by Arianne Faber Kolb, the exhibit will be on display through June 4. The Center will continue to celebrate Cuba at its annual gala, called “Club Havana,” on Saturday, May 7. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com

Among those at tonight’s Westport Arts Center reception marking the opening of its “The Two Steps Forward: Cuban Contemporary Art” exhibition were (l-r) Jill Sarver, the Center’s visual arts manager, Steven Certilman, the Greenwich collector who with his wife Terri assembled the works, curator Arianne Faber Kolb, and Amanda Innes, the Center acting executive director. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com

A retro automobile supplied by Dragone Classic Motorcars of Westport was outside the Westport Arts Center tonight in support of its “Two Steps Forward: Cuban Contemporary Art” exhibition, which opened tonight, and its Saturday, May 7 Club Havana annual gala. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com

Westport Woman’s Club volunteers today apply final touches for the club’s Arts Show fundraiser to be held Saturday 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. The artwork of 14 Westport area artists will be displayed and available for purchase. Curator Miggs Burroughs said he will display seven art pieces, including his newest one, “Piet Pollack,” a lenticular creation based on a Mondrian and a Jackson Pollack painting.  This year’s show is dedicated to the memory of legendary local artist Howard Munce, whose wife, Gerry, was a longtime WWC member and avid community volunteer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com