Between the 50th anniversary of the town’s purchase of Longshore and the founding of Orphenians; the 175th birthday of Westport, and the 375th celebration of Connecticut, the 10th anniversary of anything might seem like nothing to write home blog about.
But the Westport Historical Society is taking note of the decade-long Kids’ Wall at the Longshore pool. If something that’s only as old as the millennium can be honored by historians, it’s good enough for “06880.”
Today (May 28), the WHS unveils an exhibit paying tribute to the “dedication, tenacity and spirit of a passionate group who fought Town Hall to bring the project to fruition.”
Okay, so it wasn’t the Minutemen trying (unsuccessfully) to beat back the British at Compo Beach. It’s still a good story.
The 6-foot high, 44-foot long Kids’ Arts Wall, decorated with 32,000 hand-placed tiles, was first proposed in 1998 by Westport artist/teacher Katherine Ross.
“There were very few activities for middle schoolers at the time,” she recalls. “There were no arcades, no bowling alley, no movie theaters.” (Not like today!)
“They were being kicked out of downtown stores for loitering. We wanted to show these kids they had a creative voice.”
She and fellow artist Miggs Burroughs envisioned a spot near the library. But the P and Z, other politicians and some Westporters feared — well, everything: Visual clutter. Skateboarders atop the wall. Amplification of sound from the Levitt Pavilion. Headlights reflecting against the wall, causing accidents. The list was more dire than the plagues at a Passover seder.
Finally, Steve and Toni Rubin suggested the Longshore pool. Bingo!
Middle school students submitted 1400 drawings. Using a variety of media — and little treasures like quarters, beads, even notes about water safety — the wall was built and decorated in 3 months.
What Burroughs believes to be “the largest piece of children’s art in Connecticut” was unveiled on May 28, 2000.
Ten years later, the WHS exhibit will include an actual-size photo replica of the wall, newspaper clippings and interactive mosaic art opportunities. The event is a focus of the WHS Time Travelers Camp sessions, which take place during the summer. It will serve as a springboard for a study of the sea.
Middle schoolers who participated in the project are especially invited to today’s exhibit. Of course, they may recall it as ancient history.
After all, they’re now in their early 20s.
(The Westport Historical Society exhibit begins with a reception today [May 28], from 5-7 p.m. It also honors the 50th anniversary of the town’s purchase of Longshore. Earlier today — 3 p.m. at Saugatuck Congregational Church — town officials and noted citizens celebrate the 175th anniversary of Westport’s charter, with a unique ceremony [and a birthday cake]. For more information, click here or call 203-222-1424.)
“Good Morning Staples” — the student-produced TV show that airs in classrooms and hallways around the school — departed from its usual fare of artsy announcements and offbeat interviews on Thursday. The entire 14 minutes was devoted to 2 combat veterans: Rich Franzis and Bruce Allen.
