Hindsight is 2020.
That’s an old saying — made new and (perhaps) clever as we stumble into this new year 2021.
But it’s also the name of the soon-to-open MoCA Westport exhibition — the first to showcase high school student art.
“Enough” (Nate Kolek, Staples High School senior)
Beginning Saturday (January 23), and running through March 13, “Hindsight is 2020” features submissions created during (duh) 2020.
The nearly 200 entries from across Connecticut and New York — including painting, photography, digital art, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and more — offer a diverse portrait of what young people have experienced in these challenging times.
A number of Westport students are represented in the exhibit.
“Ronnie” (Miles Kennedy, Greens Farms Academy sophomore)
MoCA Westport’s Teen Council played an important role in the exhibit. One member — Staples High School student Tessa Moore — serves as a juror.
“We were so impressed by the quality and diversity of work we received from the high school artists,” says MoCA executive director Ruth Mannes.
“We know students have had a challenging year, and that art and creative expression have helped many students with coping and resilience.”
“Summer 2020” (Sabrina Paris, Staples High School sophomore)
Director of exhibits Liz Leggett adds, “It was very meaningful to have teachers so engaged in this process. We heard from several that entering this exhibition was a highlight of the year for many students.” Many teachers physically delivered works to MoCA.
The exhibit includes cash prizes for the top 3 pieces.
“Stalker of the Night” (Shivali Kanthan, Staples High School freshman)
“Hindsight is 2020” is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12 to 4 p.m. Click here for reservations, or visit on Free Fridays when no reservation is required.
The art can also be viewed on mocawestport.org in a digital gallery.
BONUS MoCA DISPLAY: the world’s largest abstract painting. It was created by the community during a MoCA Westport Family Day event in October. Westport artist Trace Burroughs helped the work set a new Guinness world record.
“Masked” (Ian Chow, Pierrepont Academy freshman)
