Westport In Focus is an online exhibit collaboration between the museum and Westport photographer, Jerri Graham. The exhibit will allow Westporters from all walks of life to tell their own stories about living in the Connecticut town considered “ground zero” for the Coronavirus epidemic in the state. Westport in Focus marries the skill of the experienced portraitist with the curatorial and oral history expertise of the museum. The goal is to create a living history of the town’s experience as “ground-zero” for Coronavirus in Connecticut. Westporters—and those who work in Westport—are encouraged to participate and share their stories of living in this new and discomfiting reality.
The project can be viewed on Instagram @WestportFocus and Facebook @WestportInFocus. Families can signup by emailing the museum at virtualmuseum@westporthistory.org
Focus On The Greely Family: Sending Encouragement to Those on the Front Lines
Focus On the Kaplan Family: An Ordinary Family Living Thru an Extraordinary Time.
Focus On Quincy Cuthbertson & Family: The College Perspective
Focus On The Griffiths Family: Facing Challenges Head On
Focus On Jill Rizack: Moving from “It’s Mine” to “It’s Ours”
Focus On The Lukacs Family: Within Us There is Something Stronger
Focus On Chris Buckley: There’s A Light at the End of Every Tunnel
Focus On: Laura & Dan Nissim
Focus on Jen Tooker: Getting Through & Getting Stronger
Focus On Donisha Diagne: Ultimately, We’re Going to be Ok
Focus On Alisyn Camerota: A Comforting Morning Presence
Focus On Diane Lowman: Things Will Mend
Focus On Nathalie Laitmon: On The Virtual Frontlines
Focus On Nicole Gerber: Staying AWARE of What Matters
Focus On Bill Chase: Things Are Same, But Different
Focus On The Scharfstein Family: Radical Acceptance of What Is
“History happens every day and all around us. Sometimes that fact is more apparent than at others in our lives but this is one of those times when it is crystal clear. Our hope is that we can record history for posterity and for the knowledge of future generations.”
Ramin Ganeshram, Executive Director of Westport Musuem
“In an effort to remain connected as a community, our mission is to show our faces to our neighbors. We can’t forget who we are behind the closed doors during this pandemic. Partnering with Westport Museum to create a living history to be archived for future generations will demonstrate how we survived, thrived, and maintained our humanity as a town in this unprecedented time.”
Jerri Graham, Westport In Focus Photographer