Special Events

Bruce Museum Presents—Thought Leaders in the Fields of Art and Science

Bruce Museum Presents—Thought Leaders in the Fields of Art and Science is a pilot program designed to attract and present major and emerging individuals, on compelling subjects of relevance and interest, to the visitors and patrons of the Bruce Museum community and to the greater town of Greenwich. It is a significant complement to our exhibits and public programming in support of our mission: to promote the understanding and appreciation of Art and Science to enrich the lives of all people.

September 5

Generation ♀: A Multigenerational Dialogue Between Contemporary Women Artists

In 2018, HBO premiered the groundbreaking art-world documentary The Price of Everything, the opening selection of the Greenwich International Film Festival. “TPOE” producer Jennifer Stockman—a former board chair of the Guggenheim Museum and currently a Bruce Museum Council Member—will moderate a wide-ranging and multigenerational dialogue between four major contemporary women artists:

Awarded the Guggenheim fellowship (1996), the Carnegie Prize (2013), and the MacArthur “Genius Grant” (2015), Nicole Eisenman gained acclaim for her figurative painting but in recent years has earned critical praise for her sculpture as well. She co-founded the queer/feminist curatorial initiative Ridykeulous with A.L. Steiner, and this summer was one of the artists who withdrew from the Whitney Biennial in protest of the museum’s leadership.

Lin Jingjing’s work deals primarily with social-political themes; particularly with how individuals define themselves against the pressures of the outside world, vis-à-vis culture, politics, history, and the economy. Her artwork spans performance, installation, painting, mixed media, video, sound, and LED lights. Jingjing’s works have been exhibited in major museums around the world, including Neues Kunstforum in Cologne, the National Art Museum of Chile in Santiago, and Song Zhuang Art Museum in Beijing.

Painter and sculptor Paula DeLuccia Poons and her husband, artist Larry Poons, have intersected with some of the greatest figures in the New York art world since the 1970s. A New Jersey native who studied at the Kansas City Art Institute, Paula’s work has been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions, from Barcelona to Brooklyn to Palm Beach.

Laurie Simmons is an internationally recognized artist, known since the 1970s for her staged photographic works. Her work is included in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum, among others. Her film MY ART premiered at the 73rd Venice Film Festival in 2016 and the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017.

October 3

From the Bottom of the World: The Art and Science of Antarctica

Antarctica is the planet’s true final frontier. As tourism to the bottom of the world rises and as worldwide climate change comes into focus, we’re convening peerless experts in the art and science of this unique, fragile continent. Presented in cooperation with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, two research scientists, Jonny Kingslake and Kirsty Tinto, will document startling new findings, while master photographer Rick Sammon, who twice has extensively documented Antarctica, will remind us of its extraordinary beauty. Moderated by Leonard Jacobs. (Sponsored by Crystal Cruises)

November 7:

Rewind/Fast-Forward: Celebrating the Artist Documentaries of Olympia Stone

Film producer-director Olympia Stone’s first documentary, The Collector, explored the five-decade career of her father, famed NYC gallery owner and art collector Allan Stone. Since then, her award-winning films continue to probe the motivations and personal histories of eclectic artists as a way of providing insight into their work. Join Olympia Stone and, in person, two of her subjects—James Grashow (The Cardboard Bernini) and Elizabeth King (Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King)—for a one-night-only retrospective of these astonishing and illuminating films, and their maker.

December 5:

Can Art Drive Change on Climate Change? An Evening with Alexis Rockman

Among current American artists profoundly motivated by nature and its future—from the specter of climate change to the implications of genetic engineering—Alexis Rockman holds a high place of honor. For more than 30 years the NYC-based Rockman has exhibited his work, which uses the language of natural history to examine our relationship to it as a culture; his deeply stirring, often symbolic images of a dystopian, onrushing century are remarkable statements of both art and politics. Join us for a night of eye-popping discussion and debate featuring the artist and a specially curated panel of thought leaders.

Join us to Celebrate!

This free, public celebration will also give the community the opportunity to learn more about the Bruce Museum’s renovation and expansion plans – and to join the community-wide support of the Campaign for the New Bruce. Visitors will be able to view informational displays about the renovation and expansion project, and Museum leaders and volunteers from across the community will be on hand to describe the transformative impact that the New Bruce will have. 

Explore Construction Trucks provided by Eversource, as well as First Responder Vehicles.

Bubble Fun with the “Bubble Bus”, and a live performance by “Songs for Seeds”

Cold-brew coffee courtesy of Rise Brewing Co.

Raffle Prizes

Unique Opportunity to Draw on the Museum Walls! One day before renovation work begins, come express your creativity on our walls

Quiet Hour from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, for children and families with special needs looking for a sensory-friendly experience

Hands-on craft activities

Families with young children will be drawn not only to the construction trucks but also to the hands-on craft activities stationed near the vehicles. Staffed by the Museum’s Educators and volunteers, the activities include: 

Truck Sculptures: Children can design their very own truck from paper and then fill it up it with soft materials to create a “puffy truck” sculpture.

Tools of the Trade: With this craft activity, kids can make their own tool belts that they can wear home.

Paint Chip Collages: Pick out your favorite colors to create your own collage out of paint chips.

Design Time: Build like the best artists and engineers with our playful Imagination Playground blocks.

Truck Finders: A hands-on sensory activity for toddlers.

Build a Museum: We’ll set you up with materials so you can build your own New Bruce!

New Bruce Membership

Learn about and become part of the New Bruce

New Bruce Construction & Renovation Details on Display

Special Membership Opportunities will be available for this day only

Bruce ConsTRUCKS Co-Chairs

Felicity Kostakis, Cricket Lockhart, Julia Nusseibeh, and Candace Procaccini

Thank you to our Sponsors for their Support!

Eversource, Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman, Cummings & Lockwood, LLC, Dominick and Matt Lio of Empire ECS Construction Management, Felicity Kostakis, Julia and Jamal Nusseibeh, Candace Procaccini, Rise Brewing Co., and Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes, as well as media sponsor Moffly Media/Greenwich Magazine

“We’re excited to celebrate the public launch of the Campaign by hosting Bruce ConsTRUCKS,” says Julia Nusseibeh, who, along with Felicity Kostakis, Cricket Lockhart, and Candace Procaccini, is helping organize the community-wide event. “It’s going to be a wonderful day of family fun and a day to remember for all who love the Bruce Museum.” 

The transformative capital expansion and renovation project – the first since a $4.3 million expansion in 1992 – is well underway. The centerpiece of the New Bruce is a three-story, 40,000 square-foot addition that will more than double the size of the current Museum, offering more space for both art and science. Designed by the prestigious New Orleans firm of Eskew + Dumez + Ripple, the building will open directly onto Bruce Park and feature a delicate striated façade of cast stone and glass inspired by the surfaces of Connecticut’s rock quarries.