Westport Historical Society

The Sketch Class: A Westport Tradition
January 30th through April 30

In Our Little Gallery: Art from the Heart
glimpse into the lives of Naiad & Walter Einsel

Both exhibits feature artists who have lived and worked here and in our surrounding towns whose talents and creativity helped give our communities their reputation as thriving arts colonies

   ^{The Sketch Class: A Westport Tradition takes a look back at an event that takes place wherever a group of artists reside and work.  The Scketch class is not really a class but a gathering of artists and hopefuls who like to draw or paint from live models in costume or not.  These get-togethers take place in studios, basements, playrooms or any enclosure large enough to accomodate a raised model stand, several easels and chairs, lights and an assortment of odd props for those who wish to compose objects into their renderings.}

<sup>“Being an artist is a solitary vocation,” says artist Howard Munce, the exhibit’s co-curator. “It’s the camaraderie.  Every hamlet where there are artists has at least one sketch class where they can come together.  A good example is the

Westport art colony.  Since its beginnings in the 1900s it has supported at least one sketch class that met periodically to work from a live model.  One such sketch class, attended by local illustrators was held at Walker’s Frame Shop located near Klein’s on Main Street”.</sup>

^{Among the sketch classes that have existed over the years are the following:}

^{1. Remington Schuyler, illustrator for Boys’ Life magazine, held a sketch class in his Westport home.}

^{2.  In 1932, weekly sketch classes were held at the home of Edward C. Nash located at Nash’s Corner.  The Nash family home had been unoccupied for some time and the artists gladly made the necessary repairs to make it habitable.  Among the artists involved in this project were: Remington Schuyler, John Steuart Curry, Edward   Boyd, Lowell L. Balcom, Alexander Couard, A. S. Daggy. Alice Gardin,  Robert Lambdin, Gregory McLoughlin, John Fenton, Ellen and Howard Heath  and Rose O,Neill.}

^{3. Bob Baxter and Ann Toulmin-Rothe held a sketch class in the Old Factory building on Richmondville Road.}

^{4.  Robert Fawcett, one of the 10 Famous Artists Founding Members, held his classes in the Famous Artists Building.}

^{5. During World War II, Ms. Leslie Randel took a group to the Veterans Hospital in Newington to do sketches of the patients that were later sent home to their families.}

^{6.  Westport artists Nancy Reilly and Joey Tate attended classes held by Sam Brown in his Westport studio. Brown also took a class to the Veterans Hospital.}

^{7. Howard Munce is currently attending a class in Southport held in a former ballet studio owned by Elizabeth Gaynor. Her work, along with that of several other artists, will be on view in the Betty & Ralph Sheffer Gallery.}

^{8. A video taken by Ken Smith for our Oral History Archives and photographs by Larry Untermeyer taken while the Southport class was in session also will be featured in the exhibit.}

^{9. During the run of the exhibit WHS plans to host at least one sketch class open to both professional artists and beginners, who wish to participate.}

^{The Sketch Class: A Westport Tradition
Howard Munce & Elizabeth Gaynor. Exhibit Co-curators
&
Art from the Heart
Naiad Einsel & Neil Hardy, Exhibit Co-curators}

Dorothy Curran, President
Susan Gold, Executive Director

Galleries & Gift Shop Hours
Monday-Friday from 10 to 4 pm
Saturday from 12 to 4 pm
Phone: 203.222.1424
www.westporthistory.org