MoCA CT: A Night of Poetry, Sound, and Art Come Alive

There are certain evenings that invite you to slow down, listen closely, and experience something new. Art + Sound at MoCA\CT is going to be one of those nights!

National Poetry Month Art + Sound Thursday, April 9, 7:00–8:30pm

Guest poet Sahmra Sawyer

Painting performance by Lauren Clayton Food truck with 29 Markle CT Restaurant

MoCA\CT 19 Newtown Turnpike Westport, CT 06880

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Want to see amazing art, Lauren paint + Sahmra perform?

Just $15 for Members, and $30 for general admission!

Yup! Purchase Ticket

In conjunction with the exhibition Art, Jazz + the Blues, Art + Sound highlights the synergy between poetry, sound, and visual arts through the work of local creatives. This April, MoCA\CT celebrates National Poetry Month by hosting spoken word performances within the galleries to examine how these disciplines interact. The night features poet Sahmra Sawyer, who will perform original pieces written in response to the artworks in the exhibition alongside works from poets who inspire her. Accompanied by soft jazz music playing in the background, the event also features me live-painting a large-scale canvas to translate the spoken words and themes of the exhibit. Guests can also enjoy food from the 29 Markle CT food truck. 29 Markle CT Restaurant is a Bridgeport staple known for its sophisticated take on soul food and seasonal ingredients, bringing a local culinary perspective to the evening.

What is the Art + Sound Experience at MoCA\CT?

The Introduction: Opening remarks on how music, poetry, and art have always been intertwined in the Westport community.

• Act I: Sahmra Sawyer begins her performance, weaving her words through the exhibition.

• Intermission: A break to enjoy light refreshments, walk the galleries, and catch a vibe with the community.

• Act II: The conclusion of the night’s poetry and the completion of the live-painted work.

Stamford and Norwalk, CT Artist + Poet Perform

Sahmra Sawyer is a Norwalk native, Sahmra has grown into a Spoken Word Poet better known as Supreme Divinity. Supreme has performed at renowned venues like TheaterWorks in Hartford, CT; Bijou Theater in Bridgeport, CT; Nublu in New York City; Brooklyn Poets, and was featured on Fox 61 in 2023 for the “Rooted in Resilience" Juneteenth special. She is the Founder and Host of, We’ve Got Something to Say, a thriving poetry platform and community collective based in Bridgeport, CT. Her mission is to create safe spaces where voices are heard using her skills as an MSW student, the transformative power of storytelling, and community, to foster healing and connection.

Lauren Clayton is the founder of Studio 162 in Stamford CT and a graduate of the Cooper Union School of Art. A Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar alum and recipient of the Miller Brewing Company’s Urban Entrepreneur Grant, Lauren’s work is known for its bold color and storytelling. Beyond her studio, she is a fixture in the local art scene, dedicated to mentoring design students and advocating for non-profits through her creative work.

Whether you come for the poetry, the music, the art or the magic that happens when all three meet, Art + Sound promises to be an evening not to miss.