Recording artist and producer Jackson Whalan at Dorothy’s Estaminet
Pittsfield— On Saturday, May 25th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Dorothy’s Estaminet presents Jackson Whalan.
Whalan is a recording artist and producer from Western Massachusetts who creates music to uplift and inspire listeners worldwide. He is known for his high-impact rapping, music production, and live performance. Recent collaborations include working with Hip Hop legend KRS-One and and his songs have gotten placements in “All American” (Netflix), Xfinity, Reebok, Champs, and more.
Inspired at a young age by artists like De La Soul, The Fugees, Eminem, and Nas, Whalan discovered the power of hip-hop. At the time, things were turbulent at home, at school, and in the world, and he was waking up to issues of race, class, politics, human rights, and climate change. His music became the vehicle for addressing injustice and inspiring people to make a difference. His live show is full of thought-provoking songs, beats, and live instrumentation. The highlight is often when Jackson freestyle-raps topics from the crowd, which makes for an unforgettable experience.
The performance is on Saturday, May 25th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dorothy’s Estaminet at 438 North Street. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Lauren Clark Fine Art presents ‘Signs of Life,’ a painterly tribute to spring
Great Barrington— On Saturday, May 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lauren Clark Fine Art celebrates the opening of ‘Signs of Life,’ a painterly tribute to spring, featuring the work of Andreas Engel, Mary Claire Hogan, and Joel Haynes.
The three artists have coalesced around the wonders of nature in their respective ways: Engel with brilliant pen and ink drawings of vernal life, Hogan with her vibrant depictions of our favorite bugs in all their colorful glory, and Haynes with just the sweetest, gestural but lifelike renderings of our little friends the birds in their natural habitats. These are small but mighty works by three dedicated artists living in our midst.
The show opens with a reception Saturday, May 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lauren Clark Fine Art at 684 Main Street in Great Barrington. More information can be found online.
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Childs + Clark Gallery, a new partnership in art, presents its inaugural show ‘Breathe’
Great Barrington— From May 25th through June 30th, Childs + Clark Gallery, a new partnership in art, presents its inaugural show “Breathe,” featuring painters, Bruce Brodie and Joe McCarthy; glass artists, Mark Leputa, Martin Rosol and Naoko Takenouchi; and sculptor, Joe Wheaton.
The show runs from May 25th through June 30th at Childs + Clark Gallery at 684 Main Street in Great Barrington. There is an opening reception on Saturday, May 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Art on Main Gallery presents ‘Interludes,’ works by S.R. Aiken and Lisa Townson
West Stockbridge— From May 23rd through June 2nd, Art on Main Gallery presents ‘Interludes,’ works by S.R. Aiken and Lisa Townson.
Of their work, S.R. Aiken says “Sharing a sense of place and the moments of connection are my intentions with my artwork. I seek to impart a feeling of grounding and peace in my paintings, and I work with a meditative process that allows me to open a deep emotional connection to the images that draw me.”
Of their work, Lisa Townson says, “An interlude can, among other things, be a rest, a pause, an intermission, a break, or a hiatus. Being in a place of nature provides me with those joyful moments. I infuse my paintings with that joy using bright, bold marks and colors which I rarely blend. My images reflect a painterly, impressionistic style.”
The show runs from May 23rd through June 2nd at Art on Main Gallery on Main Street in West Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Saturday, May 25th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found online.
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The Cornwall Library presents ‘A Painter’s View,’ works by Jenny Simont Ireland
Cornwall, C.T.— From May 25th through July 6th, the Cornwall Library presents “A Painter’s View,” works by Jenny Simont Ireland.
“A Painter’s View” features a selection of vividly expressive still lifes by artist Jenny Ireland (1919–2014), chosen by her son Sumner. Her brother, celebrated Cornwall artist and illustrator Marc Simont, would often say that no one in their artistic family had a better sense of color than Jenny.
Genevieve ‘Jenny’ Simont Ireland was born in France of Catalan parents and spent much of her childhood in Paris. Under the influence of her father, José Simont Guillen, a renowned illustrator and French Legion of Honor recipient, she studied art at Académie Julian and the now-defunct Studio Bornet in Paris. She exhibited at age 18 at Gallerie Charpentier, where one of her pictures was acquired by the Musée D’Auxerre in Burgundy.
She painted periodically throughout her life, but never exhibited again with the exceptions of the Friends of Rose Algrant Show in Cornwall, C.T. every summer since its inception in 1959, and at The Cornwall Library in 2013.
The show runs from May 25th through July 6th at the Cornwall Library on 30 Pine Street in Cornwall, C.T. There is an opening reception on Saturday, May 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is requested. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Saturday, May 25th is Free Community Day at MASS MoCA
North Adams— On Saturday, May 25th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., MASS MoCA celebrates its 25th anniversary with a community celebration.
The day includes free gallery admission, thematic museum tours, unique audio-walks, open studios, art-making, dance pop-ups, and more. This campus-wide community event offers a full day of activities for all ages, mostly free of charge.
Enjoy delicious food, drink, and ice cream through the day. Enjoy ‘Pastor on the Patio’ at Casita, MASS MoCA cheesesteaks and water ice at BIGGDADDY’s Philly Steak House, a special brew at Bright Ideas, and sundae upgrades at Lickety Split, plus a visit from Celtic Fire Pizza.
Ticketed experiences that enhance the day include a conversation with the museum’s Director, Kristy Edmunds and Founding Director, Joseph Thompson at 3 p.m., and the immersive experience “The Plastic Bag Store.”
At 8 p.m., MASS MoCA’s 25th Anniversary Community Celebration concludes with a performance by the Academy Award® and BAFTA-nominated band Son Lux, a groundbreaking trio with deep ties to the museum whose wildly inventive sound embraces influences from iconoclastic artists in soul, hip-hop, and experimental improvisation. Their raw emotional intimacy and meticulous electronic constructions feel cinematic, futuristic, and atmospheric qualities are on full display in their recent score to the Academy Award®-winning film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Join the party as Son Lux helps launch MASS MoCA into the next 25 years! Tickets are $29 in advance and $39 on the day of the event. There is also a $79 preferred ticket option.
The event is on Saturday, May 25th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at MASS MoCA on MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. More information, including a full schedule of events, can be found online.
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Saturday, May 25th is Free Community Day at Shakespeare & Company
Lenox— On Saturday, May 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you’re invited for a free day of fun at Shakespeare & Company’s first-ever Community Day.
Enjoy the beauty of Shakespeare & Company’s 33-acre Lenox campus and celebrate nonprofit organizations from across Berkshire County including Ventfort Hall, Lenox Library, Drag Story Hour Berkshires, and more. There will be games, live music, and food trucks including La Chalupa Y La Enchilada, BB’s Hot Spot, Charlie’s Bistro Bus, and Krispy Cones Ice Cream. CHP Berkshires will be present with a mobile health unit to offer their health services, and water will be provided for free.
The event is on Saturday, May 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. More information can be found online.
