Since 2002, thanks to the generosity of Westport artist Susan Malloy, the Malloy Lecture in the Arts has brought some of the world’s most extraordinary creative voices to Westport — including Clive Davis, Arthur Miller, Joyce Carol Oates, Christopher Plummer, and Salman Rushdie — sparking thought-provoking, engaging conversations that captivate audiences of all ages.
Now, through the Malloy Fund for the Arts, The Westport Library is proud to relaunch and reimagine this landmark series with an exciting new event that celebrates Westport’s artistic legacy, while also looking toward its future.
On Thursday, March 6, at 7 pm, the Library will host a remarkable evening of conversation and storytelling featuring some of Westport’s most beloved and influential artists as they reflect on how this town has shaped generations of creatives. Click here to register.
“Westport has such a long and proud history as an arts incubator and a bastion of artistic expression,” said Bill Harmer, executive director of The Westport Library. “We’re proud to carry that tradition through the Library’s collections, exhibits, and programs, and we’re exceptionally grateful to the Malloy family for their dedication to the arts — at the Library and throughout the greater Westport community.”
Acclaimed actor and director Jim Naughton will moderate a dynamic panel discussion with renowned graphic artist and lifelong Westport resident Miggs Burroughs, whose work has defined the town’s artistic identity; Melody James, a celebrated leader in the arts known for her commitment to fostering creative expression; local vocalist, artist, writer, and teacher Melissa Newman, who launched her book, Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, Head Over Heels, a Love Affair in Words and Pictures, at the Library in 2023; and Gina Rattan, the director and performance coach whose work includes the Tony Award-winning Company, Angels in America, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and the NBC live musicals Peter Pan Live! and The Sound of Music Live!
In addition, Ann Sheffer, a passionate arts advocate and philanthropist whose family’s contributions have helped shape the cultural fabric of Westport, will speak throughout the evening. Additional special guests will be added closer to the event.
Together, their conversation will explore what has made Westport such a magnet for artists, performers, and creatives for decades; how the town’s artistic spirit has evolved and continues to thrive in new and exciting ways; and the role of the next generation in carrying forward and reinterpreting Westport’s rich cultural heritage.
