The Westport Cultural Council will host its eighth annual film series on three consecutive Wednesdays this summer - August 14, 21, and 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm.  It will be held at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery, 1 Partners Lane, Westport, MA.  

The film series, free and open to the public, is made possible through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust. 

 This year, the Council presents three documentary films with the theme “A Potpourri of Characters” highlighting stories of amazing artist’s lives and their powerful achievements.  Each film will be introduced by a guest speaker or Council member, with a question and answer period to follow each showing.  

Wednesday August 14, 2019.  "Jean-Michael Basquiat: The Radiant Child "

Directed by: Tamra Davis, 2011, 88 Minutes.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a phenomenon.  He became notorious for his graffiti are under the moniker “Samo” in the late 1970s on the Lower East Side scene, sold his first painting to Deborah Harry for $200 and became best friends with Andy Warhol.  Basquiat’s art and process has influenced many contemporary artists.

Guest Speaker: Bryan McFarlane was born in Moore Town Portland, Jamaica. He studied at The Edna Manly College of Art in Kingston and completed his MFA Degree at Massachusetts College of Arts and Design. He is a “Tenured Professor” of Painting and Drawing at U. Mass Dartmouth . Bryan has worked on projects relating to his art with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Center, M.I.T., the New Bedford Art Museum and the Museum of Science, Boston. His art has been exhibited widely.