MoCA Westport’s ‘Hindsight’ into the pandemic

MoCA Westport unveils a student exhibit on the pandemic

“Hindsight is 20/20,” as the saying goes. And now it turns out that “Hindsight is 2020” as well.

It’s the clever title of a new high school art competition and exhibit on view at MoCA Westport through March 13 and online, too.

‘Hindsight is 2020’ features submissions created during the year 2020, illustrating a diverse portrait of what young people have been experiencing during these challenging, unique times. All high school students were eligible to submit a single work of art, and all works were accepted. The exhibition features nearly 200 entries from across Connecticut and New York, including painting, photography, digital art, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and more.

It will also include cash prizes for first, second and third place-winning works, selected by Paul Efstathiou, director of contemporary art at Hollis Taggart Galleries; Amy Kaplan, a Westport-based artist and curator; and Tessa Moore, vice president of MoCA Westport’s 2020-2021 Teen Council and a Staples High School junior.

“We were so impressed by the quality and diversity of work we received from the high school artists,” said Ruth Mannes, MoCA Westport’s executive director. “We know students have had a challenging year and that art and creative expression have helped many students with coping and resilience.”

Added Liz Leggett, MoCA Westport’s director of exhibitions: “It was very meaningful to have teachers so engaged in this process. They rallied their students and helped ensure their artwork got to MoCA Westport. We heard from several teachers that entering this exhibition was a highlight of the year for many of their students.”

Also as part of the exhibition, the world’s largest abstract painting will be on view. The large-scale work was created by the community during a MoCA Westport Family Day event in October 2020. Led by artist Trace Burroughs, the painting achieved a new Guinness World Record.

“Hindsight is 2020” is on view during winter gallery hours noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Reservations to view the exhibit can be made at mocawestport.org, which is where you can also see the show digitally. Or visit on Free Fridays when no reservation is required.

Additionally, complimentary admission to the exhibit is part of the museum’s Winter Lights Festival on Saturday, Feb. 27. For more, email Liz Leggett at liz@mocawestport.org. 

 edited by Georgette Gouveia

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