Westport Arts Center To Expand, Relocate To New Location

WESTPORT, CT— The Westport Arts Center, together with the Town of Westport, announced this week both the expansion of the Arts Center and its move to a new location in town. The first phase of the Arts Center’s relocation and expansion is slated to open fall of 2019 and will occupy nearly 10,000 square feet of 19 Newtown Turnpike, tripling the size of the organization's current footprint.

According to a press release, the opening of the new space coincides with the celebration of the Arts Center’s 50th anniversary, marrying its rich heritage with an exciting new chapter as a leading contemporary arts destination.

The original 1926 stone building, attached warehouse and free-standing cottages altogether offer the potential of 33,000 square feet for museum exhibitions, state-of-the-art classrooms, concerts and events, as well as offices. The six-acre property includes sprawling outdoor garden space and parking for 110 vehicles.

"This important expansion of the Arts Center allows us to greatly broaden the scope of our programming and exhibitions," Westport Arts Center Executive Director Amanda Innes said in a release. "We will be able to showcase large-scale, innovative art pieces and installations both in the gallery and on the exterior grounds. Our first exhibition in the new space will be something never before seen in Connecticut. We look forward to unveiling details of the exciting exhibition and expansion at our 50th Anniversary gala on May 18."

The Westport Arts Center is a source of pride for the town since the independent non-profit’s inception five decades ago. Westport burnishes a reputation as a vibrant, intellectual community with a focus on multiple artistic disciplines. Many influential minds in art have called the small town home, including Arthur Dove and Hilla von Rebay.

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe is a long-time supporter of Westport Arts Center and is recognized as an ex officio Board Member.

"Westport Arts Center is a long-time contributor to Westport’s identity as an arts community and is an important resource to the entire town," Marpe said in a release. "We are excited to see the Arts Center expand to meet the creative demands of our active, artistic town. We anticipate that the Arts Center’s new campus will be a regional cultural destination, drawing audiences to Westport from all over Connecticut, Westchester County and New York City."

In addition to Westport Arts Center’s education, visual arts and concert programs, the expansion will house a cafe, lounge, library and the ability to host intimate and large-scale events.

“We envision the new location to be a welcoming setting for engaging social activity," Innes said in a release.

The interior remodel and renovation of 19 Newtown Turnpike is led by Howard Lathrop, AIA, NCARB, a principal at Sellars Lathrop Architects, LLC. Lathrop has been the Senior Designer and Project Architect on a variety of building types located around the world, including the design and restoration of major metropolitan museums.

For more information, visit www.westportartscenter.org.