Bard College presents ‘Returning Home: A Contemporary Native Photography Exhibition’
Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y.— From April 6th through April 12th, Bard College presents ‘Returning Home: A Contemporary Native Photography Exhibition,’ an exhibition curated by Rethinking Place Post-Baccalaureate Fellow Olivia Tencer and Rethinking Place Administrative Coordinator Melina Roise.
The exhibition, centered around narratives of Indigenous families, particularly women and children, will delve into the experiences of Native peoples facing settler colonialism, focusing specifically on Indigenous child removal practices and policies.
“Returning Home” aims to highlight Indigenous representation, narrative, survivance, futurism, and resilience through contemporary Native art. The show will include pieces from the Forge Project’s collection, as well as a written commission from Bonney Hartley, who is an MFA candidate at Institute of American Indian Arts. An accompanying publication will provide in-depth contextualization of land dispossession in the United States, forced removal of Native peoples in New York State, and the impact of Indian boarding schools.
This groundbreaking exhibition features works by four contemporary Indigenous photographers, Kali Spitzer (Kaska Dena/Jewish,) Dana Claxton (Wood Mountain Lakota First Nations,) Cara Romero (Chemehuevi Indian Tribe,) and Wendy Red Star (Apsáalooke (Crow),) along with a written commission by Bonney Hartley (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican) and archival records of local land transfers and the United States’ Indian boarding school history.
The exhibit is on view from April 6th through April 12th at Montgomery Place Mansion at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson. It is free and open to the public. More information including a schedule of readings and events can be found online.
***
Hotel On North to exhibit ‘Jazz Visions II,’ works by Berkshires watercolorist Marguerite Bride
Pittsfield— From Friday, April 5th through May 31st, Hotel On North will exhibit “Jazz Visions II,” works by Berkshires watercolorist Marguerite Bride.
This solo exhibit will feature 25 “jazz-infused” paintings. First introduced in 2016, this collection has grown significantly now depicting scenes of local jazz events including many of the Berkshires’ beloved musicians. Best known for her work on paper, Bride’s exhibit will include several pieces on canvas, an unusual medium for watercolors and one that often has an unexpected visual impact.
April is National Jazz Appreciation Month and in celebration, profits from the sale of the original painting “The Master’s Hands,” signed by the artist and Dave Brubeck will be donated to Berkshires Jazz.
The exhibit runs from Friday, April 5th through May 31st at Hotel On North on North Street in Pittsfield. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 5th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Pittsfield’s First Friday ArtsWalk. More information can be found online.
***
Clarion Concerts presents the Shanghai Quartet at Hudson Hall
Hudson— On Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m., in honor of Eugenia Zukerman, extraordinary flutist and outgoing Artistic Director of Clarion Concerts, Clarion Concerts presents the Shanghai Quartet at Hudson Hall.
Over the past 40 years, the Shanghai Quartet has become one of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. Their elegant style, impressive technique, and emotional breadth allows the quartet to move seamlessly between masterpieces of Western music, traditional Chinese folk music, and cutting-edge contemporary works.
The program includes Haydn’s “Quartet in D major, Op. 20, No. 4,” Zhou Long’s “Selections from Eight Folk Songs,” and Grieg’s “Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27.”
The concert is on Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m. at Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House on Warren Street in Hudson. Tickets start at $28. Tickets and more information can be found online.
***
Berkshire Art Center’s annual dance party returns with ‘Rococo Raku Revelry’
Pittsfield— On Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m., Berkshire Art Center’s annual dance party returns with “Rococo Raku Revelry.”
Berkshire Art Center’s annual benefit and dance party is back and happening at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. Discover the unexpected with this year’s theme, Rococo Raku Revelry. The grand setting of the Colonial Theatre will be host to an evening filled with one-of-a-kind sights and sounds, including special performances with local drag queen, Bella Santarella, DJ BFG spinning vinyl on the big stage, and projections by local artist, Joe Wheaton.
Partygoers are already devising their costumes as they creatively combine ornate French Baroque with Japanese minimalism. Just like in Berkshire Art Center’s art programs – there is no right or wrong way to express your creative self here! Come in your finest wigs & lapels, your Louis-heels and Pagoda sleeves, or wear it all. More more more meets less less less. Who will you be?
The party is on Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre on South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $25 for general admission. Tickets and more information including information about special tickets and the silent auction can be found online.
***
Berkshire Art Association 2024 BAA Fellowship Show
Pittsfield— From Saturday, April 6th through April 30th, the Berkshire Art Association presents the 2024 BAA Fellowship Show.
The Berkshire Art Association will showcase the work of 17 exceptional college artists at the 2024 BAA Fellowship Show. The show was juried by a panel representing several visual art disciplines. Of 141 works submitted, 36 were chosen for exhibition. With the help of a generous grant from the Feigenbaum Foundation, cash awards totaling $5000 will be presented.
The exhibit will run from Saturday, April 6th through April 30th at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts on Renne Avenue in Pittsfield. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, April 6th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public. For gallery hours, call 413-499-9348.
***
Shakespeare & Company announces 2024 ‘Behind the Curtain’ lecture series
Lenox— On Saturday, April 6th, Shakespeare & Company’s free “Behind the Curtain” lecture series, led by Shakespeare scholar Ann Berman, resumes.
Featuring directors, cast, and design team members as guests, Berman examines various themes surrounding both the Shakespeare and contemporary productions slated for Season 2024 through talks designed to be accessible, engaging, and interactive.
Berman holds a Master of Arts in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College, London, and explores topics ranging from historical parallels in Shakespeare’s plays to the effect costumes, scenic design, lighting, and more can have on audience response to a performance.
Behind the Curtain lectures for the 2024 Season include:
- Saturday, April 6 – The Winter’s Tale with Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer
- Saturday, April 20 – The Comedy of Errors with Director Kate Kohler Amory
- Saturday, June 22 – Shakespeare & Music with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows
- Saturday, July 13 – The Comedy of Errors with Director Kate Kohler Amory
- Saturday, July 27– Flight of the Monarch: Penning New Plays with playwright Jim Frangione
- Saturday, August 10 – The Winter’s Tale with Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer
- Saturday, August 24 – Three Tall Persian Women; guest to be announced
Spring talks will be held in the Jane Iredale Lobby at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, while Summer sessions will be held outdoors at the tented Rose Footprint Theatre in the Rose Meadow. All Behind the Curtain lectures are free, but tickets are required. More information can be found online or by calling 413-637-3353.
***
Free documentary film screening at Mason Library
Great Barrington— On Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m., The Mason Library presents a free screening of “Subject,” a film which examines the impact that well known documentaries have had on the lives of their subjects.
The 95-minute documentary asks the question: in the golden age of documentaries, who benefits? The film focuses on the ethics and responsibilities inherent in documentary filmmaking and on the unintended consequences, the good, bad, and complicated, of having your life shared on screen. The protagonists of acclaimed films “The Staircase,” “Hoop Dreams,” “The Wolfpack,” “Capturing the Friedmans,” and “The Square” are featured.
The screening is on Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m. at The Mason Library on Main Street in Great Barrington. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a free wine, cider, and cheese social. A short discussion will follow. All are welcome. More information can be found online.
