MoCA CT

Art Adventures
2025-10-18 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-11 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-04 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-09-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-09-20 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-09-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-06 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-30 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | MoCACT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, 06880, United States
Join our children’s drop-in art class at the museum, where young artists are encouraged to explore their creativity and express their unique ideas. Through fun, hands-on activities, children will build confidence, develop new art skills, and find inspiration in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Class Fee: $25
Register.

Ceramic Artisan Multi-Bowl Class with Leah Corbett
2025-10-16 18:00 - 20:00
Register here: $85.00
Adult workshop
Spend a creative evening handcrafting your own artisan multi-bowl centerpiece with Fairfield-based ceramicist Leah Corbett. “Multi-bowls” are one of Leah’s most popular forms, and can be used as snack boards, jewelry catchers, air plant displays, or general organizers for keys & miscellaneous items. In this two-hour workshop, Leah will guide you through steps to pinch & smooth multiple bowl forms out of clay, attach them, and manipulate their shapes to fit your own creative style. We provide the clay, tools & glaze options. You get your hands a little dirty, choose your glaze, and then, once fired, come and pick up beautiful and unique gift a friend or yourself! This is a great intro to hand-building class that will take you far in the world of pottery.

Collecting 501: Buying Selling Loaning Art + Tax Planning
2025-10-16 17:30 - 19:00
MoCACT’s series ‘On the Art of Collecting’ continues with ‘Collecting 501: Buying Selling Loaning Art + Tax Planning.’

Join us for an information packed session. This series is generously sponsored by Wealthspire Advisors.

October 16, 2025
5:30pm cocktails
6-7pm program

Register here

Sessions at MoCACT: Latinx Musical Identities
2025-10-11 19:00 - 21:00
Get ready for a night that will leave you breathless. Pianist Priscila Navarro and the powerhouse Arx Duo percussionists light up the stage with the explosive sounds of Latin America.
Feel the fire of Afro-Peruvian dance.
Sway to the elegance of Mexico’s Danzón.
Get swept away by the passion of South America’s greatest melodies.
The evening builds to the Westport premiere of Jimmy López’s Perú Negro — a jaw-dropping, high-voltage finale with two pianos and two percussionists.
This concert is a full-body, heart-pounding experience you’ll talk about long after the final note.
Seats are limited and going fast — buy your tickets now before they’re gone!

Docent-Led Exhibition Tour
2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-27 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-06 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-30 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-23 13:00 - 14:30 and 1 more date
Learn more about the current exhibition from an expert docent. No advance registration required; all tours included in Museum admission. Remember, gallery admission is FREE for MoCA Members.

Panel Discussion with Tod Papageorge + Yale MFA alums
2025-10-04 16:00 - 17:00
MoCA CT presents a panel discussion between exhibiting artist, Tod Papageorge and a select few alumni such as John Pilson from the Yale School of Art to discuss the history, present and future of education on photography. This conversation will be moderated by the exhibition organizer, photographer and educator, Lisa Kereszi.

Register.

Collecting 401: Navigating the Art Market
2025-09-29 17:30 - 19:00
MoCACT’s series ‘On the Art of Collecting’ continues with ‘Collecting 401: Navigating the Art Market.’

Our panel of experts will discuss how to utilize auction houses when searching for and purchasing art. What should we know before bidding, and what are some useful strategies for the bidding process? What is the role of an art advisor? What does an art buyer do, and when should you hire one? Are there ways to negotiate with gallerists? Join us for an information packed session. This series is generously sponsored by Wealthspire Advisors.

September 29, 2025
5:30pm cocktails
6-7pm program

Register Here.

Carter Johnson, piano
2025-09-27 19:00 - 20:30
Canadian pianist and 2024 Heida Hermanns International Music Competition winner Carter Johnson brings his exceptional artistry to MoCACT in an evening of virtuosic and expressive performance. Known for his technical brilliance, nuanced interpretation, and engaging stage presence, Johnson has captivated audiences across North America and Europe. This special concert invites listeners to experience both the power and intimacy of the piano in MoCACT’s unique gallery setting.
Buy Tickets.
MoCACT Receive 10% off tickets.
General Admission $50
Senior/Student $40

Leftovers to Lush - Creative Volunteer Workshop at MoCACT
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00
Thursday, September 25, 2025 6-8PM
Calling All Volunteers!
This dynamic, hands-on workshop welcomes volunteers to the MoCA Art Studio to create oversized handmade flowers (ranging from 5–22 inches) using leftover art supplies, fabric scraps, trims and recycled papers. These breathtaking blooms will then be used to decorate the runway stage for the annual Rise & Bloom Fashion Show Fundraiser. In conjunction with Family Reentry CRJ in Bridgeport, CT, this annual runway event benefits formerly incarcerated women and justice-impacted youth working hard to reenter society with dignity and purpose.
Curated and directed by fashion artist, Vernice Holmes, the Leftovers Collection celebrates second chances and sustainability—taking what the world discards and transforming it into beauty and purpose.
Together, let’s make a difference!
Please sign up to volunteer for this makers event by contacting sue@mocact.org.

Endless Summer Event
2025-09-20 18:00 - 21:00
You are invited!

Soak up the glow of summer one last time —

Join us in the beautiful MoCACT galleries for compelling art, live music,
complimentary food + beverages, inspired conversation + the joy of giving — all in support of our mission to inspire through exhibitions, performances, education + community engagement.

Saturday, September 20
6-9PM

$100 Non-Members (ticket includes a one year individual membership)
$80 Members (member gift upon arrival)

Click here to purchase tickets.

Exhibition Programming - Art talk with the Tod Papageorge + Lisa Kereszi
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:00
Hear from the exhibiting artist of At the Beach, Tod Papageorge, in conversation with one of his former students — the organizer of this exhibition, photographer and educator, Lisa Kereszi. The two will discuss his process in making pictures, developing the concept for this exhibition, and reflect on directing the prestigious Yale MFA in Photography program for almost 35 years.

Register.

Community Conversation: Larry Silver—Seven Decades of Photography
2025-09-06 17:00 - 19:00
Saturday September 6, 2025
5–7pm
Discover seven decades of American life through the lens of acclaimed photographer Larry Silver. From his early days capturing the streets and subways of New York City to his iconic images of Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, Silver’s work is a powerful chronicle of the nation’s evolving social landscapes. His photographs reveal moments of joy, tension, and quiet introspection, with a lyrical balance that has become his signature.
Silver is best known for his 1954 series “Muscle Beach,” capturing the energy and spectacle of California’s famous beach—bodybuilders flexing, gymnasts soaring, and beachgoers basking under the sun. But his work spans far beyond, including thousands of images that document Connecticut’s landscapes, where he has lived since 1973. His Connecticut photographs reflect a deep sense of place, using natural framing, weather, and light to capture the region’s character.
Born in the Bronx in 1934, Silver discovered his passion for photography at the High School of Industrial Art, where he connected with members of the Photo League—a group of photographers who used their art to highlight social and political issues. After winning the Scholastic-Ansco Photography Awards, he earned a full scholarship to the Art Center School in Los Angeles. His journey led him from New York to California, and eventually to Connecticut, where he has continued to document everyday life.
In 2003, Silver transitioned from traditional documentary photography to experimental darkroom techniques and paper manipulation. This transition led to series like From the Medium to the Message and New Vision, where Silver explored abstract expression and Bauhaus-inspired forms. These works showcased his ability to continuously evolve his practice while maintaining a distinct visual style.
Silver’s photographs are held in over 25 major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His work has been published in numerous books and catalogs, including Made in California and Suburban Visions, ensuring his legacy as one of America’s most influential photographers.
Join us at MoCA CT to discover the stories behind the images and see how his vision continues to resonate across generations.
Learn more at: https://www.larrysilver.com/.

2025-08-28 18:00 - 20:00
In conjunction with Tod Papageorge: At the Beach + In the Pool: On Influence, we invite you for an evening of classical portrait-making with artist and photographer Lewis Derogene. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore how to channel the elegance and drama of Baroque paintings into your own portrait photography.
We’ll begin with a quick look at masterworks by painters like Vermeer and Rembrandt to better understand techniques—like chiaroscuro—that defined the era. Then, we’ll dive into how those same effects can be recreated through lighting, composition, and set design.
Bring your camera or smartphone + bring a partner too, as you’ll be photographing each other! You’ll learn how to set up lighting and backdrops, use fabric and props to build a scene, and frame portraits that feel both timeless and personal.
At the end of class, participants will upload their top shots for a group critique. Images will be displayed on a large monitor for constructive feedback and shared inspiration.
Participants are encouraged to share their final portraits on Instagram and tag @MoCA_CT.
$30 Workshop Fee; MoCA Members receive 10% off
Register Here.
About the Instructor:
Lewis Derogene, who also goes by her artistic moniker PhenomenaLewis, is an artist and photographer based in Stamford, CT. Her work has been featured in publications such as Culture Icon Zine, Populist Magazine, the April 2024 issue of Westport Lifestyle, and more. Most recently, she was a featured photographer in acclaimed Italian art critic Giorgio Bonomi’s fourth edition photography book, The Solitary Body, Il Corpo Solitario IV.
She is currently pursuing an MA in Fashion Art Direction at the Academy of Art University and holds a BFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts.
Inspired by the rich visual language of Baroque painting, Derogene creates compelling portrait and self-portrait photographs that explore and challenge sociopolitical biases within the Black community.
You can view more of her work at www.phenomenalewis.com.

Community Conversation: Art Nager, photographer Adult Photo / Storytelling
2025-08-21 18:00 - 19:00
Register.
Throughout a 50 – year career as an artist and photo educator, Arthur Nager has focused on documenting the social landscape, the people, structures and places that reflect the character of where and how we live. His goal has been to capture the details of our evolving culture to convey what is timeless and constant in our lives.
This presentation includes a survey of his black and white photographs from the 70’s made during trips across the country that capture aspects of the unique cultural landscape and the evolving photographic approach to the medium of the time.
Arthur Nager’s work incorporates chance, circumstance, and premonition with the element of irony. Relying on intuition, he enables the viewer to experience a moment in time – to look past the initial painterly impact of color, scale, and form, to extract meaning that is sometimes implied or disguised.
Nager’s work is part of educational and museum collections including The International Museum of Photography at The George Eastman House; The South Street Seaport Museum; Museum of Art, Santa Cruz and the Kennebunk Museum in Maine.
His recent exhibit in 2025 at the Mattatuck Museum featured work documenting the towns of the Naugatuck Valley from 1988 – 2024.
About Arthur Nager:
Arthur Nager earned his MFA in photography from Visual Studies Workshop and a BA in History and Psychology from the University of Rochester. Early in his career, he worked at the George Eastman House and studied under Nathan Lyons and Syl Labrot. He taught at the Center of the Eye and Anderson Ranch Arts Center before becoming Director of the Photography Program at the University of Bridgeport, where he expanded the curriculum and organized a photography lecture series featuring renowned artists such as Arnold Newman and Mary Ellen Mark.
Nager has exhibited widely, including at the Mattatuck Museum, Trinity College, the Ilon Gallery, and the FaheyBodell Umbrella Arts Gallery. His work, which captures the evolving social landscape and architectural transformations, is in the collections of institutions such as the George Eastman House and the South Street Seaport Museum. A recipient of numerous grants, including a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant, he continues to create, exhibit, and teach in Connecticut and NYC.
To learn more about Arthur Nager: https:www.arthurnager.com
