Norman Rockwell Museum opens “Bascove: The Time We Spend with Words” March 12
STOCKBRIDGE — In 2017, the Norman Rockwell Museum (NRM) received more than 500 original illustrations and studies by noted American illustrator Bascove, generously donated to the Museum’s Permanent Collection of Illustration Art. Celebrating this important acquisition, a special collection highlight exhibition will be on view from March 12–June 5, 2022 entitled “Bascove: The Time We Spend with Words.”
Known by the mononym Bascove, Anne Bascove is a master printmaker, illustrator, painter, and collagist best known for her woodcut book jacket and magazine illustrations, as well as for her series of paintings and drawings of the bridges of New York City. Inspired by the written word throughout her life, she has been a preeminent designer of book covers for many noted authors, including Alice Walker, Robertson Davies, Jerome Charyn, T.C. Boyle, and J.M. Coetzee. Her illustrations have graced the pages of The New York Times, Redbook, Travel & Leisure, Life, and other publications.
This exhibition will feature Bascove’s art for some of the most significant literary works of our time, including examples of her creative process — from sketch to wood block carving and final illustration. A video interview with the artist and an audio tour will be featured, as well as commentary by illustration and design author/historian Steven Heller, who has worked closely with the artist during his long tenure as art director at The New York Times.
An opening Zoom program with Bascove and Steve Heller will be held Saturday, March 12 at 5 p.m.
—A.K.
* * *
Nomination papers for GB town election available, voter registration deadline approaching
GREAT BARRINGTON — Candidates seeking election or re-election to a town position in the May 10 Annual Town Election may pick up nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s office. Candidates must collect signatures to support their name’s appearance on the ballot. These nomination papers must be taken out by March 18 and must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by March 22 at 5 p.m.
Elected positions are available on the following boards and committees: Selectboard, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Finance Committee, Library Trustees, and Board of Health. The Town Moderator position is up for election each year. View open positions and term lengths here.
Great Barrington residents who are not yet registered to vote must register by April 20 at 8 p.m. if they wish to vote in the spring election. You may register in person at Town Hall during business hours, or online at this link.
—A.K.
* * *
Berkshire Bach Society to open its season March 5 in Housatonic
GREAT BARRINGTON — The Berkshire Bach Society will open its season Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. with distinguished organist Renée Anne Louprette and prominent Bach scholar George Stauffer, at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Housatonic. In a reprise of their popular appearance in 2020, Louprette will present an intriguing program of music by J.S. and C.P.E. Bach, and Robert and Clara Schumann, and Stauffer will join her to provide commentary about Bach’s music, life, and legacy, highlighting the way his music influenced composers that came
In addition, the program will provide a rare opportunity to hear music written by both Clara and Robert Schumann that stemmed from their joint resolution in 1845 to master the art of counterpoint, of which Bach is the undisputed master. The audience may judge how well they incorporated Bach’s contrapuntal technique into their 19th century idiom: The fruits of their resolution were Clara’s Op. 16, Three Preludes and Fugues for Piano, and Robert’s Op. 56, Studies in the Form of Canons for Organ or Pedal Piano. Louprette will play two of Clara’s preludes and fugues and one of Robert’s canons — on the organ, not the pedal piano, which was a later incarnation of the pedal harpsichord that Bach used to practice for organ performances. Schumann was one of a handful of 19th c. composers to write for the instrument.
This is the first of two organ recitals to be presented by Berkshire Bach this season, providing an opportunity to explore the capabilities of two historic Berkshire instruments — the sweet-voiced Johnson & Son organ from 1893 on March 5 and the larger, more powerful Roosevelt organ from 1883 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington on April 23. The voice of each instrument is unique and suited to its home space, and each excels at different repertoire. Louprette will perform smaller-scaled works in Housatonic; Peter Sykes will offer larger compositions by Bach, Brahms, and Reger in Great Barrington.
All seats are $35, Berkshire Bach member discounts apply, and children and students (with valid ID) are admitted free.
—A.K.
* * *
Barrington Stage Company receives $80K from Feigenbaum Foundation
PITTSFIELD — Barrington Stage Company (BSC) recently announced it is the recipient of an $80,000 grant from The Feigenbaum Foundation. This grant enables BSC to proceed with three important community programs: the award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project, the Celebration of Black Voices Festival, and the underwriting of free tickets for local youth to attend the world premiere Youth Theatre musical “The Supadupa Kid.”
“We’re so thankful to The Feigenbaum Foundation for their continued support of BSC’s vital community programming,” said BSC Director of Education Jane O’Leary. “This gift will help us continue to support local teens ages 12-19 with our award-winning theatre program, the Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP) which raises the voices of teens who are routinely underrepresented; Celebration of Black Voices Festival, a showcase centering local Black voices, led by co-producers Sharron Frazier-McClain and Melle Powers; and the Youth Theatre, which after a two-year hiatus in programming will perform Ty Allan Jackson’s “The Supadupa Kid,” a world-premiere musical about one of the first Black teen superheroes, starring local Berkshire youth.”
—A.K.
