Black Rock: 375 Years of Community
May 23 – August 4, 2019
Ruth Carlson Horn Gallery
Founded 375 years ago, the neighborhood of Black Rock has tied together the communities of Fairfield and Bridgeport, while retaining its unique personality and sense of place. Through the ages of sail, steam, and rail, Black Rock has served as a beacon of ingenuity, strength, and comfort for its residents and visitors alike. Celebrate 375 years of Black Rock’s rich community history and heritage through rare artifacts and photographs – and look towards its future – in this anniversary exhibition.
Presented in celebration of Black Rock’s 375th Anniversary with the Black Rock History Committee and the Black Rock Community Council.
Make Your Mark
February 14 – September 15, 2019
Spaght Gallery
How do you leave your mark on your community?
On walls, on objects, on the human body, on paper…what does it mean to stamp your label, leave a paint stroke, sign your name, or sew a stitch? This exhibition explores how people – whether quilters, silversmiths, street artists or painters – leave their creative marks on their communities. From graffiti and tattoo artists, to quilters and silversmiths, people demonstrate and use their talents to serve and connect, show pride, and to leave a personal and lasting impression.
Featuring local artists, including vibrant street muralist John Paul O’Grodnick, Bridgeport’s Liz Squillace (whose public art reaches new heights!) and of Three Roses tattoo studio, Frankie Frieri.
Jennings Beach, Fairfield, Day to Night
Stephen Wilkes of Westport is renowned for his amazing Day to Night series, in which he shoots breathtaking iconic landscapes, portrayed from a fixed camera angle for up to 30 hours, to capture fleeting moments over the course of a full day to night. Fairfield’s Jennings beach has now joined Stephen Wilkes’ Day to Night portfolio from around the world. Jennings Beach, Fairfield, Day to Night has been generously commissioned and donated to the Fairfield Museum by the Saft family in memory of Marcia Saft, a former Board member, friend and longtime supporter of the Fairfield Museum.
The photograph is now on permanent view in the Creating Community gallery. Limited Edition Fine Art Photographic Prints of Jennings Beach, Fairfield, Day to Night: now available exclusively at the Fairfield Museum Shop.
Also on View
Creating Community: Exploring 375 Years of Our Past | Ongoing
This hands-on exhibition invites visitors to explore the history of Fairfield and its region over the past four centuries. Look inside a Native American wigwam, climb into an American Revolution fort, decipher a spy code, and look through the windows of a trolley. Young and old alike will enjoy learning how people worked, lived, and built communities over time by exploring original objects, individual stories, and engaging activities.
Sponsored by CT Humanities, Fairfield County Community Foundation, The Perry Family and Southport Area Association.
Note: This exhibition will be under construction starting June 3, so parts of the gallery may be closed to visitors. Check back in July for exciting new updates!
Click here for more information about this exhibition
Gustave Whitehead: First to Fly
On view in the Tulloch Library Gallery
Gustave Whitehead was the first to fly a powered airplane, although his flights in Fairfield and Stratford in 1901 and 1902 are not nearly as well-known throughout the world as the Wright brothers’ flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. This mini-exhibition in the library foyer displays items from the museum’s William O’Dwyer/Gustave Whitehead Research Collection, which is available for research in the library. More information about Gustave Whitehead is available here.