Camp MoCA is almost full!
If you haven’t already signed up and want to learn more (or if you have already locked in your weeks), join us for the Camp MoCA Open House—a free, joy-filled morning where creativity takes the lead.
Camp MoCA Open House
Saturday, May 16
9:30–11 AM
FREE
Wander the museum grounds. Step inside the studios. Explore the sculpture garden, teaching garden, and galleries where imagination runs wild all summer long.
Kids can dive into a hands-on art activity, meet our counselors and teaching artists, and get comfortable in the museum setting before camp begins. Parents—this is your chance to see exactly why Camp MoCA is something truly special.
Your passport to summer starts here. Sign up for Camp MoCA and our Open House at mocact.org
#CampMoCA #SummerStartsHere #CreativeKids #CTFamilies #ArtCamp #FamilyFun
Have you seen ‘Art, Jazz + the Blues,’ yet? MoCA\CT + Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) present this dynamic exhibition, where improvisation, syncopation, and cultural memory come to life.
Before Bob Dylan became a household name, he learned from Eric von Schmidt—Westport-based artist, musician, mentor to Dylan, collaborator with Joan Baez, and a force in the 1950s–60s folk revival. But beyond the music, von Schmidt created monumental painted portraits—his rarely seen ‘Giants of the Blues’ series—works that pulse with rhythm, history, and soul.
The exhibition also features Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Sam Gilliam, Robert Rauschenberg, Jack Whitten, and Westport artists who found bold ways to visualize sound and movement.
'Texas Bluesmen' 1995.
'Blues Women' 1996.
'Beale Street' 2002.
'Delta Dawn' 2002.
'Cambridge Tapestry' 2003.
'Blues Piano Players' 2004.
'Blues Women' 1996.
All by Eric von Schmidt, oil on canvas. Long-term loan to Westport Public Art Collections, Courtesy of the artist’s family.
#MoCACT #ArtJazzBlues #EricVonSchmidt #WestportCT #JazzInspired #BluesLegends
It’s more than a membership. It’s a community.
When you become a MoCA\CT Member, you’re doing more than gaining exclusive benefits—you’re helping bring our mission to life. Your membership directly supports inspiring exhibitions of emerging contemporary art, intimate concert performances, and creative education programs for people of all ages and abilities.
As a Member, you’re part of a vibrant community that believes art sparks conversation, connection, and new ways of seeing the world.
All Members Enjoy These Year-Round Benefits (for one full year):
* Unlimited gallery admission for Member + one guest
* 10% discount on paid programs, events, and merchandise
* Invitations to members-only hours, previews, and special events
* Reciprocal admission to museums in the Fairfield-Westchester Museum Alliance
Join today and be part of the community that makes MoCA\CT possible.
Visit mocact.org today (link in bio)
Last night was an unforgettable evening in the galleries as the MoCA\CT community experienced a world-class violin and piano performance by Karisa and Frederic Chiu.
The artistry of celebrated pianist Frederic Chiu and rising star violinist Karisa Chiu transformed our space. On the heels of her recent debut at Carnegie Hall, Karisa revealed why she is one of the most compelling violinists of her generation. And Frederic brought his experience, thoughtfulness, and colorful interpretations to the piano, which paired beautifully with Karisa’s performance.
But beyond the world-class technique, what made the night special was the beautiful dynamic between this uncle and niece. Amid the stunning movements of Fauré, Prokofiev, and Bright Sheng, audiences were treated to the warmth and playfulness of a family bond. Music is the language of the Chiu family, and sharing that intimacy and heritage with our MoCA\CT community was an honor.
Thank you to Frederic and Karisa for an incredible performance, and to everyone who filled our galleries with joy and appreciation. Special thanks to @thegranolabar of Westport for providing the delicious bites that made a delightful evening even sweeter.
#MoCACTSessions #LiveMusic #ContemporaryArt #KarisaChiu #FredericChiu #ViolinAndPiano #CarnegieHall #Juilliard #WestportCT #ArtAndMusic #FamilyHeritage #ChiuFamily #FairfieldCounty #TheGranolaBar
THIS TUESDAY! After last month's completely sold-out show, the incredible Chris Brubeck is returning to the MoCA\CT galleries this Tuesday, May 19! And he’s bringing his powerhouse trio, Triple Play.
Featuring multi-instrumentalist Chris Brubeck, Grammy-winning harmonica virtuoso Peter “Madcat” Ruth, and masterful acoustic guitarist Joel Brown, this group delivers an epic, seamless fusion of blues, folk, and jazz.
This special encore performance is specifically curated to complement our current exhibition, Art, Jazz + the Blues. It’s a full sensory experience you don't want to miss!
Don’t wait! The last performance sold out incredibly fast, and tickets for this one are flying. Secure yours now before they’re gone!
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THE DETAILS:
Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play
Tuesday, May 19 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
MoCA \CT - 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport
Get yours at the link in our bio or at mocact.org
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#MoCACT #ChrisBrubeck #TriplePlay #LiveMusicWestport #WestportCT #ArtJazzBlues #CTEvents #JazzAndBlues #SupportTheArts #SoldOutShow #WestportJournal
Time is running out to experience ‘Art, Jazz + the Blues’ before it closes on June 7!
If you haven’t seen this monumental exhibition yet, this weekend is the perfect time to visit.
Whether you’re entertaining family or looking for an artful escape for yourself, join us this Saturday or Sunday to immerse yourself in a dynamic celebration of sound and sight.
Walk among Westport native Eric von Schmidt’s iconic ‘Giants of the Blues’—a sweeping series of seven group portraits honoring music legends from the 1920s to the 1960s. See over 50 complementary artworks from the Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) and prestigious loans, featuring legendary creators like Romare Bearden, Sam Gilliam, Joan Miró, Paul Rand, and Robert Rauschenberg.
Get fully immersed when you scan the codes in the gallery to listen along to our custom, curated exhibition playlists. As the jazz great Charlie Parker once said, this show invites you to “hear with your eyes and see with y#museumgram
While you're here, become a member and enjoy free admission, discounts, exclusive invitations and more.
Saturday Hours: 10am – 5pm
Docent-Led Tour: 1:00 – 2:30pm (Included with admission!)
Sunday Hours: 12-5pm
Admission: Free for Members | $10 General | $8 Seniors & Students
Location: 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport
Reserve your tickets at mocact.org
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#ArtJazzBlues #WestportCT #VisitCT #CTArt #EricVonSchmidt #RomareBearden #RobertRauschenberg #WestPAC #CTMuseums #FairfieldCounty #WeekendPlans #CTEvents #SupportTheArts #GraphicArt #JazzAndTheBlues #MuseumGram
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning bassist Endea Owens brings The Cookout to MoCA\CT. Jazz, soul, and pure energy.
Saturday, June 6 at 7pm
VIP and General Admission options are available. Link in bio for tickets and details.
Modern life is a constant hum of mental clutter and relentless stress. It is time to wash that noise away.
Join us for
Sound Bath Meditation with Hummingbird Healing Center's Lisa Pak
Tuesday, May 26, 6-7pm
Reserve at mocact.org
Experience a full-body sensory journey that requires nothing from you but your presence. This immersive, multi-instrumental sound bath is designed to facilitate effortless meditation—no poses to master and no expectations to meet. Simply bring a mat and a pillow, lie down, and let the resonance restore your focus and emotional lightness within our airy galleries.
Lisa Pak, founder of Hummingbird Healing Center, understands the profound weight of this journey firsthand. Having navigated decades of both traditional and holistic therapies, she discovered a unique clarity through this medium.
"I went down the traditional pathway of talk therapy and medication, as well as seeking out holistic solutions,” Pak shares. “No path, however, has made more of an impact in my own life than the transformational power of sound."
Step out of the cycle of "doing" and into the state of "being."
#soundbath #soundhealing #meditation #mindfulness #wellness #selfcare #holistichealth #mentalclarity #stressrelief #soundmeditation #restorativepractice
After last month's sold-out show, Chris Brubeck is returning to the MoCA\CT galleries on Tuesday, May 19! This time, he’s bringing his trio, Triple Play!
The group—featuring multi-instrumentalist Chris Brubeck, Grammy-winning harmonica virtuoso Peter “Madcat” Ruth, and acoustic guitarist Joel Brown—delivers a seamless fusion of blues, folk, and jazz. This encore performance is specifically curated to complement the museum’s current exhibition, Art, Jazz + the Blues.
Check out the recent feature in @WestportJournal to see why this performance is one you can’t miss.
The last one sold out fast, so secure your tickets while you can!
Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play
Tuesday, May 19
7-8:30pm (doors open at 6:30)
Tickets: At mocact.org (link in bio)
What does jazz look like?
Our current exhibition, 'Art, Jazz + the Blues,' expresses the rhythm of the 20th century captured in paint, sculpture, and print. On Thursday, May 28 at 6pm, see those same muses breathe, move, and perform in one of the most beautiful concert films ever made: 'Jazz on a Summer’s Day.'
Directed by legendary photographer Bert Stern at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, this “visual poem” was shot in vibrant, high-fashion color. It captures the salt air, the yacht races, and the effortless cool of an era that changed American art forever.
As you watch, you’ll recognize the legends who inspired the artists in our current show:
Louis Armstrong: A vital creative spark for artists Richard Hunt, Faith Ringgold, and Tracy Sugarman.
Thelonious Monk: The improvisational genius that influenced Sam Gilliam and is immortalized in John H. Nichols’ Pianorama in our main gallery.
Mahalia Jackson: The powerful presence that deeply moved Romare Bearden.
After the film, we’ll dive deeper with Brian Kane, Professor of Music and Film & Media Studies at Yale University. Brian is a brilliant scholar who specializes in how we hear the world and how jazz shaped 20th-century culture. He’ll help us bridge the gap between the music on screen and the art in our galleries.
Event Details
When: Thursday, May 28 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: MoCA CT
Film Duration: 1h 25m
Tickets: $20 General | $10 Seniors/Students | Free for Members
Visit mocact.org to reserve your spot (link in bio)
Excellence in classical music often starts with mentorship—sometimes within a family.
On Saturday, May 16 at 7pm, experience a rare and intimate performance with acclaimed violinist Karisa Chiu and her uncle, pianist Frederic Chiu.
A 2021 Isangyun Competition prizewinner and current Juilliard Artist Diploma candidate, Karisa began her musical journey at just two years old, studying with her father of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Now, she joins Frederic Chiu—Carnegie Mellon professor and celebrated interpreter of Prokofiev—for an evening that bridges generations, tradition, and deep artistic connection.
Together, they’ll bring to life a rich program featuring Fauré, Prokofiev, and Bright Sheng—a powerful musical dialogue shaped by family and shared artistry.
MoCA\CT Sessions: Karisa Chiu, Violin & Frederic Chiu, Piano
Saturday, May 16
7–8:30pm
TICKETS at mocact.org (link in bio)
#MoCACT #ClassicalMusic #LiveMusicCT #ChamberMusic #Violin #Piano #Mentorship #NextGenArtists #Juilliard #CarnegieMellon #Prokofiev #Fauré #BrightSheng #ConnecticutEvents #NorwalkCT #WestportCT #ArtAndMusic #FamilyLegacy #PerformingArts
Still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day present? Give her the gift of quality time and creative discovery. We’re pleased to offer complimentary admission for all moms this Sunday, May 10.
Simply register your mother at MoCA\CT (see bio for link) and spend the day exploring 'Art, Jazz + the Blues' together before the show closes on June 7.
Better yet, turn the experience into a full year of discovery with a Museum Membership. It’s a meaningful way to stay connected to the arts, enjoy discounts on live performances and special events, and support the community she loves.
Explore Membership levels and give her the gift that keeps on giving. Visit: /join-support/membership/
Please note: Complimentary admission on Sunday is available for moms and children under 12. Regular admission applies to all other guests.
#MothersDay #MothersDayOut #MuseumDay #ContemporaryArt #ArtMuseum #MuseumMembership #SupportTheArts #ArtsAndCulture #WestportCT #ConnecticutArts #CTEvents #FamilyDay #ArtLovers #CreativeDiscovery #LiveArts #CulturalExperience #MoCACT #ExploreArt #WeekendPlans #ThingsToDoCT
