Sunday at the Nut House
Sunday at the Nut House explores a formative period in the work of artists who gathered with Maurice Sendak in Ridgefield, Connecticut, from 2004–7. On Sundays, the group drew from live models as an informal respite from Sendak’s demanding studio practice, which included projects such as the illustrations and sets for the opera *Brundibar*.
The exhibition presents paintings, drawings, and posters from the Nut House sessions, along with examples of the artists’ work from before, during, and after that period. It also traces the history of the house Sendak owned, affectionately called “the Nut House” because squirrels regularly dropped acorns on its roof. The group included painter and art historian Jonathan Weinberg, his husband Nick Boshnack, local artist Marc McChesney, and illustrator Jamison Odone. Sendak’s German shepherd, Herman, was also a regular presence and served as emotional support during the sessions.
When: September 8 through November 14
Venue: Montserrat College of Art Galleries, listed on the event page as Montserrat Gallery
Description: The exhibition focuses on the artists’ live-model drawing sessions with Maurice Sendak and introduces the art they created in the years before, during, and after their time at the Nut House.
Participants: Maurice Sendak, Jonathan Weinberg, Nick Boshnack, Marc McChesney, and Jamison Odone. Herman, Sendak’s German shepherd, also accompanied the group.
Curator Talk: “The Life and Work of Maurice Sendak” takes place Thursday, October 29, from 11 a.m. to noon at 23 Essex St., Room H101.
Accessibility: An audio-description virtual tour is scheduled for Friday, October 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. Registration is required.
Tickets: Price not available
Organization: The exhibition was originally conceived and organized by participating artists Jonathan Weinberg and Jamison Odone in 2025 for the Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery at Frostburg State University. The Montserrat presentation is organized in collaboration with Lynne Cooney, Director of Exhibitions and Galleries.
Featured Work: The event page identifies Jonathan Weinberg’s *Maurice Sendak Drawing* (2007), courtesy of the artist and the Maurice Sendak Foundation.