STOCKBRIDGE — Norman Rockwell Museum has announced its summer season will take place both online and in-person, indoors and out. Programs, discussions, and workshops will highlight artists whose work is featured in “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration,” which opens June 12. Spanning more than 1,900 years, the exhibit takes a deep dive into the evolution of fantasy art through the ages, and features 140 artworks by over 100 artists, created between 100 CE and 2021, some of which have never been seen.
Other exhibits include “Real and Imagined: Fantastical Rockwell” from June 12–October 31, 2021, and “Land of Enchantment: Fantastical Sculptures” from July 10–October 31, 2021.
Other events are as follows:
Spring Gala
Saturday, June 12, 6–9 p.m.
The Enchanted Gala is the Museum’s annual fundraising party. Visitors will participate in an outdoor quest, and step into the world of fantasy art and dreams through live experiences.
Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies Spring Symposium (virtual)
“Enchanted: Epic Adventures in Fantasy Illustration”
Friday, June 18, 7–8:30 p.m. & Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore the art and history of fantasy illustration and the mythical, mystical, folkloric artworks by masterful artists who are leading the way in this popular genre. The field’s historical underpinnings and inspirations will be the subject of conversation by exhibition curator Jesse Kowalski, as well as prominent practitioners whose art is featured in “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration.” Sara Frazetta of Frazetta Girls and seven noted artists, including Julie Bell, Boris Vallejo, Anthony Palumbo, David Palumbo, Alessandra Pisano, Donato Giancola, and Gregory Manchess, will discuss their art, process, and inspirations.
Garden of Easels: Outdoor Art Workshops (adults & teens)
From Hobbits to Hulks: Creating Characters for Stories with James Warhola
Saturday, July 24, 2–4 p.m.
The Magic of Trees: Plein Air with Ruth Sanderson
Saturday, Aug. 7, 1–4 p.m.
Plein Air Landscape Painting with Dan Howe
Saturday, Aug. 21, 1–4 p.m.
Meet the Artist Tuesday Night Series, 5:30 p.m. (in-person & virtual)
Meet the international artists featured exhibition “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration.” Participants can engage with these world-class illustrators and learn about their inspirations, their current work, and future aspirations. A Q&A session will follow. Artists will be streaming in from their studios – join in person via a large digital screen on the Museum’s scenic terrace. The program can also be enjoyed online.
July 6: Brom
July 13: Thomas Blackshear
July 20: Tyler Jacobson
July 27: Scott Gustafson
August 3: Anna Dittmann
August 10: Bob Eggleton
August 17: Julie Bell
August 24: Gary Gianni
“Land of Enchantment” Family Opening
Saturday, July 10, 2–4 p.m.
Discover original sculptures by regional contemporary artists inspired by the exhibition “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration.” At the opening celebration, visitors of all ages can meet the sculptors, find the fairies in the Yellowwood tree, and make a dragon egg. Guests will vote on their favorite sculptures between 2–3 p.m. Awards include Best in Show, People’s Choice, and Kids’ Choice.
The Art of Brewing Festival
Saturday, Aug. 21, time TBD
Spend an afternoon sampling some of the best local brews and local food. Be inspired by illustration art in the galleries and on the beer cans. Visitors can purchase food from local food truck vendors or the Runaway Cafe, and view current and past label art from the brewers.
Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies Fall Symposium (virtual)
“Enchanted: Mythology and Fairy Tales”
Friday, Oct. 22, 7–8:30 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore the history and meaning of mythology and fairy tales in our lives, and the mythic characters and stories reflecting the inevitable conflict between the forces of good and evil — both real and imagined. Art historian and catalogue essayist Alice A. Carter will offer a keynote focusing on fantasy in the age of discovery. Rockwell’s own flights of fantasy will be explored by Chief Curator Stephanie Plunkett, and panelists Annie Stegg Gerard, Ruth Sanderson, Charles Vess, Victo Ngai, Justin Gerard, and Ian McCaig will discuss their inspirations and the presence of myths and fairy tales in their art.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Museum to lift COVID-19 restrictions starting May 29
PITTSFIELD — On Saturday, May 29, the Berkshire Museum will begin to welcome walk-in visitors and shoppers, and allow groups of more than 6 individuals for the first time since it reopened in August 2020. This move follows Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement last week ending state COVID-19 restrictions on May 29.
Starting Saturday, vaccinated guests will not be required to wear masks. However, museum staff will continue to wear face coverings and strongly encourage all visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to do the same to create the safest possible environment for all patrons; and especially the museum’s many visitors under age 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Reservations, which have been required to visit the museum and gift shop since August, will now be optional. Guests who purchase tickets in advance will benefit from a fast and easy priority check-in process when they arrive at the museum. For now, museum hours will remain the same: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sundays, 12–5 p.m.
—A.K.
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Massachusetts deadline extended to apply for state student aid
BOSTON — Massachusetts has extended the deadline to apply for state student aid to July 1, 2021. Students interested in attending college or training programs this fall, or spring of 2022, can still apply for and may be eligible to receive aid from both the state and the federal government. The Berkshire Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is offering free, online information sessions about the process to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Advisors will be available to assist those ready to complete the application immediately following the sessions or attendees may request an appointment to meet with an advisor at their convenience.
Information sessions:
Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, June 8, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9, 7 p.m.
The sessions are free, and registration is required at this link. To schedule a private appointment to complete the FAFSA, click here or contact Nancy Stoll, education advisor, at nstoll@massedco.org.
—A.K.
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Spencertown Academy Announces 2021 Young Writers’ Contest Winners
SPENCERTOWN, N.Y. — Spencertown Academy Arts Center has announced the winners of its 6th annual Young Writers’ Contest. Held in conjunction with the Academy’s Festival of Books (which will be virtual this year), the contest was open to writers in grades 9–12 attending school or homeschooled in Columbia County, New York and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
“Spencertown Academy has proudly offered this competition since 2015. Our goal is to encourage creative writing by high school students. This year’s contest attracted 38 talented young writers,” said Jill Kalotay, Academy board member and co-chair of the Festival of Books. “The judges reported that it was not an easy process of elimination. Many of the stories that did not make the final cut had real merit — especially in their attempt at creativity and originality. Kudos to all the participants!”
The contest was judged by authors and publishing professionals, including David Cudaback, Liz Diggs, Carol Essert, Alan Gelb, Doris Iarovici, and Elaine Khosrova.
The top three winners in each category received cash prizes ($250, $150, and $100 respectively) and were invited to read their work on a Zoom gathering for friends and family. The winning stories and essays can be read on the Academy’s website.
Fiction/Short Story Winners
First Place: Sasha Truax, New Lebanon High School senior, “Chocolate Chip Cookies”
Second Place: Samantha Saavedra, Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School sophomore, “Liam Henderson”
Third Place: Mattie Vandiver, Berkshire Waldorf School senior, “The Science of Friendship”
Honorable Mention: Jin Fernbacher, Berkshire Waldorf School sophomore, “A Single Orange”
Nonfiction/Essay or Memoir Winners
First Place: Dezjuan K. Smith, Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School junior, “Everything Under the Sun, Maybe”
Second Place: Amanda Roberts, Chatham High School junior, “Below the Surface”
Third Place: Phoebe Hebert, Chatham High School senior, “The City”
—A.K.
