WESTPORT — An exhibition of “knifed watercolor” paintings and an “open mic” program debut in October at MoCA Westport.

The “From the Pen to the Knife” exhibit, featuring works by Marian Christy, will be on display Oct. 15 to Nov. 27 at the museum, 19 Newtown Turnpike.

MoCA’s first open mic night is planned Oct. 20.

• Exhibition of Christy knifed watercolors

More than 300 watercolor paintings by Marian Christy will be showcased in the “From the Pen to the Knife” exhibit.

Christy, according to a publicity release for the exhibition, was a “pioneer” of the knifed watercolors style, “a process that shatters the traditional method of creating watercolors by using only palette knives and puddles of paint.”

A reception to mark the exhibit’s opening is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the museum. The reception is open to the public at no charge.

Early in her life, Christy was a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for the Boston Globe.

As Christy, now 90, transitioned to painting — a pivot described as “the pen to the knife” — she adopted the knifed watercolor style.

That style is: “No drawing. Just the splash. My focus is to make this unique signature a 21st century contemporary style, elevating watercolors to new depths and dimensions,” Christy is quoted in publicity for the exhibit. “I paint most scenes of our outer life. The scenes are metaphors for our inner selves.”

Paintings by the artist, who works in her basement, “are process driven. Images and figuration emerge from her imagination, with no direct reference materials,” MoCA said.

“Marian Christy is someone who has always pushed boundaries — as a woman, as a journalist and as an artist,” said Ruth Mannes, co-curator and MoCA Westport executive director. “ he was not deterred by what others expected of her and she forged her own path.”

• MoCA’s inaugural open mic night

The museum’s first open mic night is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.

The free event, planned outdoors, is open to poets, storytellers, musicians and other performers. 

Anyone interested in performing should register here. There is a $5 registration fee. Prospective performers, who must be at least high school age, also are asked to fill out this form.

For more information, visit the MoCA Westport website or call 202-222-7070.