There was a large turnout tonight for the latest popup art show by the Artist Collective of Westport in The Gallery at the Westport Playhouse. The show runs through Sunday. Pictured:  exhibiting artist Mary Harold discussing her work. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) j.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Children attending tonight’s concert at the Levitt Pavilion by the Milkshake band, the first of the Melissa & Doug Children’s Series, were thrilled to meet band members at the stage. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

A Westport Library employee puts a sign in place announcing “30 Days of The Westport Library,” a newly launched program that emphasizes a daily activity of specific areas of the transformed library. Now through July 22, the library each day highlights a different space, amenity, feature and collection in the transformed space. From free samples in the café, to cartoons in the Forum to family fun outside on the Riverwalk, there’s something for everyone. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Diane Loman, the new Westport Poet Laureate named today, led a reading and book signing of “Nothing But Blue” at Barnes & Noble on Nov. 18, 2018. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport has a new poet laureate, its first.

Diane Lowman: will serve two-year term. Jane LaMotta photo

She is Diane Meyer Lowman, a graduate of Middlebury College who recently received her M.A. in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham, U.K.

The Westport Arts Advisory Committee, which made the announcement, said she will begin her two-year term on July 1.

According to the committee, the role of the Town of Westport Poet Laureate is to “elevate poetry in the consciousness of residents and to celebrate and continue the town’s vibrant literary history.”

Members of the Artist Collective of Westport today installed the latest Popup exhibit in The Gallery at the Westport Playhouse. Pictured (l-r) Katherine Ross, Susan Fehlinger, Tammy Winser, Nina Bentley. Michael Brennecke, and Miggs Burroughs. Pictured above Bentley’s head is a self-portrait of Dan Long, a Collective member who died suddenly on May 15. The exhibit, which is dedicated to Long, opens Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  with food, music, and affordable art from 15 Collective members. The show runs through Sunday with artists talks at 3 p.m. and the awarding of $5,000 in art scholarships to Collective family members, made possible by the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center. The gallery will be open each day from noon to 5 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Westport Library’s forum area had plenty of room today after Sunday’s grand reopening that attracted hundreds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

It’s been almost 25 years since the first “Toy Story,” and in “Toy Story 4” Pixar again comes up with lovable characters inhabiting relatable stories, culminating in a bittersweet conclusion.

Andy’s off to college so Bonnie (Madeline McGraw) has inherited his beloved toys: Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), et al.

During her kindergarten orientation, nervous Bonnie crafts Forky (Tony Hale) out of a discarded plastic spork with mismatched googly eyes, pipe cleaner arms, wax-stick mouth and Popsicle-stick feet.

“She literally made a new friend,” Woody tells the gang, explaining the clumsy creation.