Clark Art Institute presents ‘Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier national, Paris’
Williamstown— From December 14th through March 9th, the Clark Art Institute presents “Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier national, Paris,” exploring tapestries from the 1940s to the present day.
The process of creating a tapestry is painstaking, involving artists, dyers, and weavers who collaborate to translate an artist’s design to a hand-woven wall hanging. Tapestry has a rich history spanning ages and cultures, but among the most enduring traditions is that of France, where tapestry production has a history extending back many centuries. Beginning in the Middle Ages, tapestries played an important role in the interior decoration of European churches, palaces, and public spaces, and those made in France were renowned for their quality, beauty, and grandeur.
Although it has a rich history, tapestry is not just an art of the past. In the mid-twentieth century, contemporary tapestry once again came into prominence in exhibitions and building decorations, and artists continue to make designs for tapestry today. One of the world’s great collections of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries belongs to the Mobilier national of France, which has lent thirty-two examples to the exhibit, sampling the trends in French tapestry production over much of the last century.
“We are looking forward to sharing these exceptional works of art with our visitors,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. “This is the first exhibition devoted to tapestry that the Clark has ever presented and we hope it will inspire people to appreciate the remarkable skill and artistry that goes into creating these incredible wall hangings.”
The exhibit runs from December 14th through March 9th at the Clark Art Institute, located at 295 South Street in Williamstown. There is an opening lecture on Saturday, December 14th at 11 a.m. More information can be found online.
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Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents ‘Selected Shorts: Holiday Tales with Jane Curtin, Joanna Gleason, Michel Gill, and Bhavesh Patel’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, December 14th at 1 p.m., Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents “Selected Shorts: Holiday Tales with Jane Curtin, Joanna Gleason, Michel Gill, and Bhavesh Patel.”
Back by popular demand, “Selected Shorts” returns to the Mahaiwe with an all-new holiday show. Cozy up with stars of stage and screen for an afternoon of hilarious, poignant, and moving short stories filled with love, laughter, and holiday cheer.
The show is on Saturday, December 14th at 1 p.m. at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street at Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Valley Classical Concerts presents The Lysander Trio with violinist Itamar Zorman
Northampton— On Sunday, December 15th at 3 p.m. (previously scheduled for December 14th), Valley Classical Concerts presents The Lysander Trio with violinist Itamar Zorman.
The Lysander Trio, violinist Itamar Zorman, pianist Liza Stepanova, and cellist Michael Katz, returns to Valley Classical Concerts. This year’s program includes trios from the Romantic mainstream and a rarely-heard but gorgeous work by English composer Rebecca Clarke.
The Lysander Piano Trio, whose name is inspired by the character in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer-Night’s Dream, was formed at The Juilliard School. The Trio has developed a reputation for exciting programming, finding creative ways to connect well-known masterworks with pieces by lesser-known and underrepresented composers, discovering common threads across cultures and times.
The concert is on Sunday, December 15th at 3 p.m. at Sweeney Concert Hall at Smith College, located at 144 Green Street in Northampton. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Shakespeare & Company presents a lively costumed reading of ‘Emma,’ based on the novel by Jane Austen
Lenox— From December 13th through December 15th, Shakespeare & Company presents a lively costumed reading of “Emma” by Kate Hamill based on the novel by Jane Austen, directed by Ariel Bock.
Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with an impeccable track record, much to the chagrin of her dear friend Mr. Knightley. Her latest scheme revolves around the sweet Harriet Smith, whom Emma advises to reject a perfectly good marriage proposal in favor of another eligible bachelor. But her best-laid plans are turned upside down by unpredictable displays of affection, unexpected rivals and Emma’s sudden realization that true love may have been under her nose all along.
The performances are December 13th through December 15th at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Lyric to present Christmas concerts Pittsfield, Great Barrington, and Stockbridge
Pittsfield/Great Barrington/Stockbridge— The 85-voice Berkshire Lyric chorus presents three separate Christmas concerts this December, each with a slightly different feel, with music designed for the particular setting.
“Love’s Pure Light” will take place on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church on West Street in Pittsfield. Traditional and contemporary a cappella carols by Warlock, Pärt, Bruckner, Brahms, and others will take advantage of the marvelous acoustics of this large gothic style church. Featured solicits include soloists Lily Lothrop, Rich Geiler and John Demler. On Sunday, December 15th at 3 p.m., there will be a second performance at Saint James Place on Main Street in Great Barrington. This popular festive concert regularly sells out. Tickets and more information can be found online.
“The Very Best Time of the Year” will take place on Saturday, December 21st at 3 p.m. at the Stockbridge Congregational Church on Main Street in Stockbridge. This 100-voice concert, which includes Berkshire Lyric’s two ensembles for young singers Melodious Accord and the Lyric Children’s Chorus, features traditional and contemporary carols and a number of well known standards from the American holiday songbook with many opportunities to sing along. Santa will also make an appearance at this old-fashioned holiday event geared for children of all ages. Tickets and more information can be found online.
