By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — Westport’s public schools have added to their growing collection of art, and 43 members of the Staples High School choral ensemble can start packing their bags for Hawaii.

On Monday, the Board of Education unanimously accepted 37 pieces of art from 10 donors through the Westport Public Arts Collection.

Separately, it accepted a $33,000 donation from the Staples Music PTA to help pay for members of the Orphenians who cannot afford part, or all, of a June trip to the International Luau of Song Choral Festival.

Art

Each year, the Westport Public Art Collections, or WestPAC, displays original works of art in district schools, creating mini galleries.

Kathleen Bennewitz, town curator for WestPAC, said the organization is responsible for three collections, including one for the town and one for the schools. The goal of the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection is to infuse art into every school building and connect children and educators with the arts.

This year’s gifts to the collection span a range of eras, cultures and media, according to Bennewitz.

Among the highlights are a 1922 Marc Chagall etching called “Self Portrait from My Life,” and Elliot Porter’s “Intimate Landscape,” a dye transfer print.

The donations, all from Westport residents, include:

• Three works of art donated by the Estate of Jak Kovatch.

• Six works of art donated by the estate of Susan Rabinowitz Malloy.

 • A work of art donated by Gabbie Coatsworth.

• Five work of art donated the estate of Estelle Thompson Margolis.

• A work of art donated by John and Elizabeth Weiss.

• The works of art donated by Larry and Gloria Silver.

• Two works of art donated by Camille Eskell.

• A work of art donated by Carol Land.

• Five works of art donated by Nancy Reinker.

• Ten works of art donated by Ann Chernow.

Ive Covaci, WestPAC Committee chair, said there are representatives from each school on the committee. All the selected works will fit well into the galleries that currently rotate through school hallways, libraries, classrooms, lobbies and offices to create a stimulating and joyful learning environment.

“I don’t know other school systems that have little mini art museums in their schools,” Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said.

Music

 The $33,000 check from the Staples Parents Music Association represents proceeds raised through an Aloha Cabaret fundraiser held in January and other donations, according to a letter submitted by Adrienne Tober, organization president. The group also has a GoFundMe page.

 In June, 42 members of the Orphenians, an elite choral ensemble, plan to travel to Hawaii for the International Luau of Song Choral Festival. The “No Orphenians Left Behind” campaign aims to ensure every student can participate, regardless of financial circumstances. In all, the group aims to raise $45,000.

In a recent publicity release, Luke Rosenberg, the Orpheians musical director, called the trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the student musicians.

“We want to make this unique musical, educational and cultural experience possible for every member of the ensemble,” Rosenberg said.

Staples Orphenians was founded 65 years ago and the group has performed across the globe. Its most recent pre-pandemic trip was to Australia in 2018. Students earn a spot in the group through auditions.

Freelance writer Linda Conner Lambeck, a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications, is a member of the Education Writers Association.