A hidden gem in Groton - UConn Avery Point
Some residents call it a hidden gem. UConn Avery Point’s historic, 82-acre waterfront campus offers more than ocean views. Visitors can walk the grounds, picnic by the water, visit the lighthouse—and step inside the Branford House for a unique art experience.
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Some residents call it a hidden gem. UConn Avery Point’s historic, 82-acre campus offers more than views of the Long Island Sound. Assistant Professor in residence Jeanne Ciravolo says, "visitors can walk the grounds, picnic by the water, visit the lighthouse—and step inside the Branford House for a unique art experience." That’s where you’ll find the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery.
The gallery’s current exhibition, Ascending: The Liberation of Native Art, features contemporary Native artists whose work reflects traditional lifeways through photography, painting, beadwork, stonework, cradleboards, and more. “These are contemporary artists creating beautiful work that mirrors traditional culture,” said Scott Foster, whose Native name is Strong Hawk.
Foster is a cultural preservation photographer for Indigenous communities. His goal is education—telling Native history from a Native perspective. “I wanted to tell the truth of who we are, instead of someone else telling the story of who they wanted us to be,” he said. His photographs feature Native people in traditional regalia set against colonial-era documents, including the Declaration of Independence. “In that document, Thomas Jefferson refers to us as ‘merciless Indian savages,’” Foster said. “That’s not something taught in classrooms.” Another image references the punishment Native people once faced for speaking their own language. He adds, “We didn’t have traditional writing,” Foster said. “We told our stories through wampum belts.”
Foster is one of six artists featured in the exhibit and says he’s grateful for the opportunity to share Native stories through art. Campus Dean Annemarie Seifert says having a museum-style space on campus helps expand learning. “Being able to have a gallery like this—an anchor for continued learning—has been very exciting,” she said. Visitors say the setting alone makes it special. “The ocean, everything—it’s just a beautiful spot to be."
Upcoming exhibitions at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery include Seeing Into the Present, opening May 7, and Open Air, an outdoor sculpture exhibition opening in mid-June.
The Branford House remains the centerpiece of the Avery Point campus—blending history, art, and waterfront views. Built in the 19th century, it was modeled after Rhode Island’s grand mansions in Newport. The mansion is the perfect place for a memorable event, Click here for more information.
