The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA), located at Connecticut State Community College Housatonic in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a remarkable cultural institution distinguished for housing one of the largest and most significant art collections of any community college in the United States. Founded in 1967 by Burt Chernow, a visionary art professor, the museum integrates art into the daily life of students, faculty, and the broader Bridgeport community by displaying its permanent collection throughout the college’s 300,000-square-foot campus, with special exhibitions in the dedicated Burt Chernow Galleries. With nearly 7,000 artworks spanning ancient to contemporary periods, the HMA serves as an educational resource, a cultural hub, and a free, accessible destination for art enthusiasts.
The HMA’s establishment reflects a bold vision to make original art
an integral part of the educational experience, particularly for a
diverse, working-class community.
Founding (1967): The museum was
founded by Burt Chernow (1933–1997), a professor of art and art history
at Housatonic Community College (then Housatonic Junior College).
Chernow believed that exposure to original artworks was as essential to
education as textbooks or libraries. When the college opened its doors
in 1967, he began building a collection to create a “teaching museum”
that would enrich students’ lives and foster cultural appreciation.
Unlike traditional museums, Chernow’s model dispersed art across the
campus, making it part of the everyday environment.
Early Development
(1967–1980s): In its first 14 years, the HMA operated without a paid
staff, acquisitions budget, or dedicated facilities, relying on
Chernow’s passion, volunteer support, and donations from artists,
collectors, and galleries. By 1980, the collection had grown to 4,000
objects, including works by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy
Warhol. Chernow’s philosophy, articulated in 1980, emphasized “daily
unhurried contacts with works of art” to allow students to engage with
true color, size, and texture in a familiar setting.
Burt Chernow
Galleries (1980s–1990s): The museum established the Burt Chernow
Galleries within Lafayette Hall to host special exhibitions,
complementing the campus-wide displays. Named in honor of Chernow after
his death in 1997, the galleries became a focal point for visiting
artists and curated shows. Robbin Zella became director in the late
1990s, professionalizing operations and expanding outreach.
Modern
Era (2000s–Present): Under directors like Zella and, since 2017,
Jennifer Reynolds-Kaye, the HMA has gained national recognition. In
2024, it hosted the first-ever Community College Art Museum Leadership
Convening, funded by a $25,000 Terra Foundation grant, bringing together
leaders from across the U.S. to discuss art access on two-year campuses.
The museum has also forged partnerships with organizations like the Art
Bridges Foundation to enhance community programming, such as a 2024
event featuring Indigenous artist Julie Buffalohead.
The HMA’s mission is rooted in accessibility, education, and cultural
enrichment, reflecting Chernow’s belief that art should be a “visual
library” for all.
Core Philosophy: The museum operates on the
principle that original artworks should be part of the everyday
educational environment, akin to books in a library. This approach makes
art accessible to students, faculty, and the public, fostering personal
and intellectual growth.
Educational Role: The HMA serves as a
resource for Housatonic’s fine arts and graphic design programs, general
education courses, and local schools. It offers custom programs that
integrate art into curricula, using artifacts, maps, and symbols to
enhance learning.
Community Engagement: As a free museum in
Bridgeport, a city with a 22% poverty rate, the HMA prioritizes
inclusivity, serving a diverse population (38% Hispanic, 35% Black, 20%
White, per 2020 Census). It partners with local organizations to
highlight underrepresented histories, such as Bridgeport’s African
American “Little Liberia” community.
Preservation and Ethics: The
museum adheres to the American Association of Museums’ ethical
standards, prioritizing the preservation of its collection for future
generations while promoting cultural and educational enrichment.
The HMA’s collection of approximately 7,000 artworks is one of the
largest among U.S. community colleges, spanning ancient to contemporary
periods and diverse global cultures. It is displayed throughout the
campus and in storage, with selections rotated in the Burt Chernow
Galleries.
Western Art:
Modern and Contemporary: Includes
works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Andy Warhol, Cindy
Sherman, Jenny Holzer, Robert Rauschenberg, Mary Cassatt, Milton Avery,
Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Louise Nevelson, Auguste Rodin, Marc
Chagall, Gustav Klimt, and Jean Dubuffet. Notable pieces include
Warhol’s pop art prints and Sherman’s photographic self-portraits.
Photography: Features modern masters like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel
Adams, Herb Ritts, Cindy Sherman, Mark Seliger, and Philippe Halsman,
showcasing diverse styles from documentary to experimental.
Abstract
Art: Includes two works by Stanley Boxer (“Lafayette Night Bloom” and
“Beach Figure No. 3”), collected early by Chernow, as well as pieces by
Victor Vasarely and Philip Pearlstein.
Non-Western Art:
African Art: Includes a terra-cotta head from Ghana, a Bambara headdress
from Mali, helmet masks from Nigeria and Zaire, and carved wood
sculptures from Guinea.
Asian Art: Features a 14th-century Indian
stone carving, a mid-18th-century Indian painting, a Chinese marble Kuan
Yin sculpture, and Japanese ceramics.
Oceania and Americas: Includes
wood carvings from New Guinea, a Mayan stucco head, and an Inca storage
bottle.
Islamic and Southeast Asian: Comprises prints, ceramics, and
metalwork from the Islamic world, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Ancient
Artifacts: Greek pottery and an Egyptian sarcophagus highlight the
collection’s historical depth.
Outdoor Sculpture Garden: Features
works by Alexander Liberman, Lila Katzen, Elyn Zimmerman, and others,
adding a public art dimension to the campus.
Acquisition History: The
collection was built through donations from artists, collectors, and
galleries, reflecting Chernow’s network and the museum’s commitment to
accessibility. No acquisitions budget existed in its early years, making
its scope remarkable.
The HMA offers a dynamic mix of permanent displays, rotating
exhibitions, and educational programs, with the Burt Chernow Galleries
hosting new shows every 6–8 weeks.
Permanent Collection:
Artworks are displayed in hallways, classrooms, offices, and public
spaces across the campus, creating a unique “museum without walls.”
Visitors encounter portraits, landscapes, still-lifes, and sculptures by
artists like Renoir, Picasso, and Christo while navigating the college.
The outdoor Sculpture Garden provides a permanent showcase for
large-scale works.
Recent and Current Exhibitions (2024–2025):
“Arwe Journey: Twentieth Century Afri-Caribbean Migration” (September
18, 2024–ongoing): Features 61 paintings and sculptures by Iyaba Ibo
Mandingo, inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s Great Migration series and August
Wilson’s plays. The exhibit explores the Windrush Generation’s migration
to Europe and North America, with a focus on Black women’s resilience.
Curated by Suzanne Kachmar of City Lights Gallery, it includes reggae
and AfroBeats events.
“Storytelling through the Art of Julie
Buffalohead” (November 20, 2024): A Native American Heritage Month
program centered on Julie Buffalohead’s oil painting Resurrection
(2023), exploring Ponca identity through animal symbolism. Presented
with the Art Bridges Foundation.
“Rooted in Community: Portraits of
Everyday Heroes” (2024): Showcases paintings and photography by student
artists, mentored by local heroes, in partnership with Catalyst CT and
funded by the Eileen Harris Norton Foundation.
“Reimagining
Little Liberia: Restoration & Reunion” (ongoing): Highlights
Bridgeport’s historic African American community through art and
artifacts, addressing erased histories.
Student and Faculty Shows:
Annual exhibitions feature works by Housatonic’s art and graphic design
students and faculty, fostering local talent.
Past Notable
Exhibitions:
Traveling shows on Rembrandt prints, Ansel Adams
photographs, and Frank Warren’s PostSecret postcards (2000s).
“Hidden
Gems” (pre-2024), featuring works by Jenny Holzer, Jacob Lawrence, Hale
Woodruff, Isamu Noguchi, and Christo.
Educational Programs:
School Programs: Custom experiences for K–12 and college students,
integrating art with subjects like history and science. Includes
hands-on activities and campus tours.
Lectures and Symposia: Recent
events include talks on Afri-Caribbean migration and Native American
art, often free and open to the public.
Community Events: Opening
receptions, gallery talks, and cultural celebrations, such as the
Bridgeport Art Trail Kick-off with Caribbean music and cuisine.
Workshops: Art-making sessions and curator-led discussions, often tied
to exhibitions like Mandingo’s Arwe Journey.
The HMA is uniquely integrated into the Housatonic Community College
campus, with no single museum building but rather a dispersed collection
and a dedicated gallery space.
Location: 900 Lafayette Boulevard,
Bridgeport, CT, within Lafayette Hall and across the college campus. The
museum is easily accessible via Route 8 and Greater Bridgeport Transit
buses, with free parking in the college lot at 870 Lafayette Boulevard.
Burt Chernow Galleries:
Located in Lafayette Hall, the galleries
are a “white cube” space for temporary exhibitions, featuring modern
lighting and flexible display areas.
The galleries are open weekdays
from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM (September–May) and close on weekends, with
adjusted hours in summer and winter breaks.
Campus-Wide Displays:
Artworks adorn hallways, classrooms, staff offices, and public spaces,
creating an immersive environment. Even the college president’s office
features original art.
The outdoor Sculpture Garden, located between
campus buildings, includes large-scale works visible to passersby.
Architectural Significance: The campus itself, built in the 1960s, is
functional rather than ornate, but the integration of art transforms it
into a living gallery. A new interlacing sculpture by Jong-il Ma,
installed above the Burt Chernow Galleries’ entrance in 2024, adds a
dynamic focal point with its stained wood and balanced design.
Accessibility: The museum is free to the public, with ADA-compliant
facilities, though some older campus areas may pose navigation
challenges. Staff are noted for their friendliness and willingness to
assist.
The HMA is a vital cultural resource for Bridgeport, a city
navigating economic challenges and celebrating its diversity.
Tourism and Economic Impact:
The museum attracts art enthusiasts,
students, and tourists, contributing to Downtown Bridgeport’s cultural
scene alongside the Barnum Museum and Total Mortgage Arena. Its free
admission makes it accessible to all, boosting visitation.
Events
like the Bridgeport Art Trail and exhibition receptions draw regional
crowds, supporting local businesses.
Community Engagement:
The
HMA serves Bridgeport’s diverse population by highlighting
underrepresented voices, such as African American, Afro-Caribbean, and
Native American artists. Exhibitions like Arwe Journey and Reimagining
Little Liberia address local histories and foster inclusivity.
Partnerships with groups like City Lights Gallery, Catalyst CT, and the
Art Bridges Foundation enhance community outreach, offering free
programs and events.
The museum collaborates with local schools to
provide art-based learning, addressing educational disparities in a
district with a 75% graduation rate.
Educational Impact:
For
Housatonic students, the collection supports associate degrees in fine
arts and graphic design, while general education courses use art to
explore interdisciplinary themes.
The museum’s programs inspire
critical thinking and cultural awareness, serving as a model for
community college museums nationwide.
Recognition:
Rated 4.3/5
based on 26 TripAdvisor reviews, the HMA is praised as a “hidden gem”
for its extensive collection and welcoming atmosphere.
Its role in
hosting the 2024 Community College Art Museum Leadership Convening
underscores its national influence.
Despite its success, the HMA faces challenges typical of a community
college museum in a city with economic constraints.
Funding:
Bridgeport’s limited tax base and 22% poverty rate restrict city and
college funding. The museum relies on grants (e.g., Terra Foundation,
Art Bridges), donations, and volunteer support, as it did in its early
years.
Budget constraints limit acquisitions, conservation, and staff
expansion, though partnerships have mitigated these issues.
Maintenance and Preservation:
The dispersed collection requires
ongoing care to protect artworks from wear, light exposure, and campus
activity. Conservation efforts are labor-intensive, with some pieces in
storage awaiting restoration.
The campus’s aging infrastructure
(1960s-era buildings) poses challenges for climate control and display
conditions.
Accessibility and Outreach:
Weekend closures
(except for special events) and limited summer hours can deter visitors,
particularly tourists.
A 2024 TripAdvisor review criticized the
museum for closing unexpectedly for “safety reasons” without online
notice, highlighting communication gaps.
While inclusive, the museum
continues to expand outreach to non-English-speaking and younger
audiences to reflect Bridgeport’s demographics.
Visibility:
As
a community college museum, the HMA is sometimes overshadowed by larger
institutions like the Yale University Art Gallery in nearby New Haven.
Marketing efforts, including social media (e.g., 1,517 Facebook
followers), aim to raise its profile.
As of May 23, 2025, the Housatonic Museum of Art is a thriving
institution, leveraging its collection and partnerships to enrich
Bridgeport and beyond.
Recent Achievements:
The 2024 Terra
Foundation grant and Community College Art Museum Leadership Convening
elevated the HMA’s national profile, fostering collaboration among
two-year campus museums.
Partnerships with the Art Bridges Foundation
enabled high-profile programs like the Julie Buffalohead event,
expanding Native American representation.
The Arwe Journey exhibition
and related events, such as the Bridgeport Art Trail Kick-off,
strengthened ties with local artists and communities.
Economic
and Cultural Impact:
The museum supports Bridgeport’s cultural
revitalization, complementing projects like Steelpointe Harbor and
Downtown redevelopment. Its free admission ensures broad access, vital
in a city with economic challenges.
By showcasing student and local
artists, the HMA fosters creative talent, contributing to Bridgeport’s
emerging arts scene.
Community Engagement:
Programs like the
Bridgeport Portrait Project, which combines photography and
storytelling, highlight local heroes and histories, reinforcing
community pride.
The museum’s focus on diverse narratives (e.g.,
Afro-Caribbean, Native American, African American) aligns with
Bridgeport’s demographic diversity, promoting inclusivity.
Future
Plans:
Expand digital access through virtual tours and an online
collection database to reach global audiences.
Enhance the Burt
Chernow Galleries with new lighting and display systems, funded by
ongoing grants.
Develop more interdisciplinary programs, integrating
art with science, technology, and social justice, building on the Art
Bridges model.
Increase weekend hours and improve communication to
address visitor feedback and boost tourism.
Continue national
leadership in community college art museums, with plans for follow-up
convenings post-2024.