Hancock — For the past three years, the Radiant Nights event has been lighting up Hancock Shaker Village with colorful video projections and displays. Throughout the campus of the village, artist Joe Wheaton has installed video projections onto several of the historic buildings on campus.
“We’ve been holding Radiant Nights for the past three years because we are looking for creative ways for people to celebrate the holidays,” Hancock Shaker Village Director and CEO Carrie Holland told The Berkshire Edge. “Joe is a very talented projection artist, and every year he has added more pieces to his work all across campus.”
The village itself is steeped in history, first established as a Shaker commune in 1790, and was active until 1960. “A lot of people are familiar with Hancock Shaker Village from a historical context, but this event is all about immersive art that is unlike any other time at the village,” Holland said. “This is a great way to go outside in the village in the winter, and it’s a great way to see the village literally in a different light.”
“When it comes to any holiday season for any religion, there is light,” Hancock Shaker Village Marketing and Events Manager Kristie Jacobson said. “You have lights of the Jewish faith, lights of the Christian faith, lights of Kwanzaa celebrations, and the lights of the Shaker faith. To me, light is the one thing that transcends all religions and sects. It’s the one thing that we all share during the holiday season. To me, Radiant Nights is all a love affair with light.”
Radiant Nights at Hancock Shaker Village opened on December 15 and will run until the end of the month. For event times and more information, visit Hancock Shaker Village’s website.
