Helen Klisser During, artistic director at the Westport Arts Center (WAC), has resigned effective Dec. 1, it was announced today.
Helen Klisser During: “deeply grateful.” Contributed photo
Klisser During, who in six years at WAC has brought world-class artists, exhibitions, and personalities to Westport and attracted support from major museums, galleries, and collectors, said she wants to “devote full time to special projects and advising domestic and international clients.”
Her departure is the second major leadership change at WAC this year. In June, Cynthia Armijo was named executive director, succeeding Peter Van Heerden, who left after three years to join the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University.
“I am deeply grateful for my six years at the Westport Arts Center and having the trust and creative license to use the Center as a canvas for a global and hyper-local dialogue with our dynamic community prompted by pictures on a wall,” Klisser During said in the announcement.
William Felton, chairman of the WAC board of directors, said WAC accepted her resignation with deepest regret and wished her well. He said WAC will continue to execute its schedule of planned exhibitions and events as planned for the next nine months.
Klisser During, who will continue as an award-winning photojournalist for WestportNow, joined the Westport Arts Center in 2009 as director of visual arts and was made artistic director in 2014.
Helen Klisser During with artist Eric Fischl in July. Critics have called him perhaps the best narrative painter of his American generation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
During her tenure, she brought world-class artists, personalities, and exhibitions to WAC, including Christo, Chuck Close, Edward Burtynsky, Eric Fischl, Lynsey Addario, Robert Cottinghan, William Wegman, Robert Storr, Roz Chast, and Helen Clark. With wide contacts in the art world, she attracted support from major museums, galleries, and art collectors, who loaned their works to her WAC shows.
She launched several original and highly successful programs, including the Westport Artists’ Collective, now 150 members strong, the East meets WESTport Hungarian artist residency with Quinnipiac University, the ArtCafé, the ArtCafé blog, and ArtSpeaks conversations and speakers, and ArtSafari expeditions to major museums, galleries and art fairs.
The weekly ArtCafé, launched in February 2010, quickly attracted artists and art lovers to WAC every Friday morning—with occasional evening “happy hour” editions—for Klisser During’s updates, usually with her pictures, of the latest doings in the art world. An added attraction was home-made croissants hot from her oven.
In her letter of resignation, Klisser During said, “The highest note, however, has been developing great respect and love for the Westport Arts Center Board, staff and members.”
Helen Klisser During in October 2014 welcoming environmental photographer Edward Burtynsky at a Hall Art Foundation exhibit with Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and head of the United Nations Development Program. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
“Helen has made extraordinary contributions to the Westport Arts Center and has always ensured the highest standard of quality and creativity,” said Felton. “We deeply appreciate the time and energy she has given to further the Arts Center’s mission.”
Armijo, the executive director, said: “The Arts Center and our Visual Arts Program are grateful for the quality of exhibitions that Helen has brought to Westport. We are confidently prepared to move forward into our next phase because of the legacy of quality programming, art, speakers and artists that Helen has assembled in the last six years.
“She will be missed on a daily basis, but we are certain to see her at our future events as an honored and welcomed guest.”
