Tag Archives: The Saugatuck

Life at The Saugatuck is great for Kate O’Toole.

The 84-year-old artist moved from Riverdale to the age-restricted co-op on Bridge Street in 2017, after her husband died. Her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren live nearby.

Kate’s apartment is beautiful. Her neighbors are wonderful.

Just one thing: There is not enough room to display all her art.

Kate O’Toole, in her apartment at The Saugatuck.

Kate is a professional artist. She studied painting and design at Carnegie Mellon University, then got her master’s at Brooklyn College.

Her husband Robert Rabinowitz taught at Carnegie Mellon and New York University, and did theater. He co-wrote the book for, and designed, “Beatlemania.”

Kate and Robert frequently exhibited at New York galleries.

One of Kate O’Toole’s works …

When she downsized to Westport, Kate put 50 years of the couple’s paintings and other works into storage.

That was 6 years ago. It’s getting expensive. And, she realizes, a Norwalk storage unit is not the place for art.

Slowly, she is bringing pieces to her Westport apartment. She’s trying to see what fits, and what she must get rid of.

It is, Kate says, “a daunting challenge.”

… and another. 

Her neighbors at The Saugatuck have encouraged her to donate some pieces to the co-op. A few of the bigger ones are now displayed in the common room and hallways.

But she does not know what to do with others. Hundreds of her husband’s pastels are in portfolios. Many of hers are in rolls. All are hard to frame.

Every day she opens more boxes, to see what she has.

And, she wonders, “What am I going to do with them all?”

She ran a gallery in New York. She knows how hard it is to sell unframed works.

One of Robert Rabinowitz’s works …

It is a difficult, emotional challenge. Perhaps, I suggested, “06880” could help.

I don’t live in the art world. But many of our readers do.

So here’s the ask: If you know how or where Kate O’Toole can find a home for some or all of her and her husband’s works, click “Comments” below.

Be creative — just like she is. All ideas are welcome.

Let’s prove that Westport is still the artists’ town we claim it is.

(Hat tip: Ilene Strizver)

(“06880” covers the art scene — and everything else Westport-related. To support our local journalism, please make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you!)

… and another.