Artists Neil Hardy (left) and Leonard Everett Fisher flank Helen Klisser, During, who curated the "Art of Longshore" exhibit. (Photo by John Hartwell)
The golf course. Weddings. Herb Baldwin.
It seems no aspect of Longshore is overlooked this year, as Westport celebrates the 50th anniversary of the town’s purchase of a failing country club — and subsequent redevelopment into a town jewel.
Now it’s art’s turn.
That’s art, as in oil paintings and photos. Longshore offers almost unlimited opportunities — the tree-lined entrance, scenic marshes, handsome Inn — as well as historic subjects like the lighthouse and old apartment building that no longer exist.
Tomorrow (Friday, June 4, 6 p.m.), the Westport Public Library honors “The Art of Longshore” with an open-to-the-public reception. Generations of artists’ works will remain on display through July 30.
Some of the prints, paintings and photos are old; some very recent. Each presents a different facet of Longshore’s beauty.
None, thankfully, shows what might have been had Westport not acted so swiftly 50 years ago: 240 homes crammed together on what was considered the most lucrative building site in town.