Artist Reception: Jodi Brown Steifel, Sain't Phifer, and Chloe Ellison
Event Details
Join us on Thursday, August 6 for our a reception and artist talk with visual artists Jodi Brown Steifel (Heirlooms), Sain't Phifer (Streetlights & Sanctuaries), and Chloe Ellison (The Living Infinite), whose exhibits will be on display at the Library July 30 through September 27. The conversation will be moderated by Westport artist Miggs Burroughs.
The reception will take place from 6 to 7 pm, followed by an artist talk from 7 to 8 pm.
About the Artists
Jodi Brown Steifel is a Connecticut-based artist, mother, and educator. She began studying art at Paier College of Art, later moving on to The New York Academy of Art in Tribeca. She currently teaches Visual Arts at Gateway Community College in New Haven, and paints in her home studio in the woods.
Sain't Phifer grew up in South Norwalk and didn’t pick up a paintbrush until he was 34 years old. What started as curiosity turned into a way for him to tell stories, preserve memories, and document experiences that often go untold. As a father, much of Phifer's work is rooted in legacy, representation, and the moments that shape us. His artwork centers on Black childhood, Black joy, and everyday Black life. Through painting, he explores memory, identity, community, and the beauty found in ordinary moments. Phifer describes his work as raw, rugged, and authentic. He isn't interested in creating a perfect version of life — but creating an honest one. His paintings are inspired by personal experiences, culture, and the people and places that helped shape him. Through his work, he hopes to preserve stories, celebrate humanity, and create images that remind people of where they come from. At its core, his art is about making sure the beauty, joy, and everyday experiences of Black life are seen, valued, and remembered.
Chloe Ellison is a self-taught photographer and freediver whose work reveals hidden worlds under the surface. Raised down the road from Compo Beach, Ellison developed an early fascination with the ocean. After learning to freedive in Cape Town, South Africa, she returned to New England and began documenting local waterways. She is inspired by the tension between old and new, using antique cameras to explore themes of memory and discovery. Her photography has been featured in Seawitches Magazine, HiHeyHello Magazine, and Betty Zine. She recently exhibited in Ode to the Natural World at The Commons in Cape Town, and was an artist-in-residence at the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport, which contributed to the body of work in this exhibition. She also contributes educational articles on analog photography to Casual Photophile.
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For more about the Library's art exhibits, visit the Art at the Library page.
The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
