Future Lab(s) presents the first annual Glow Show, a winter carnival of art at the Experimental Gallery
North Adams— On Friday, February 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Future Lab(s) presents the first annual Glow Show, a winter carnival of art at the Experimental Gallery.
There will be reception with black lights, glow-in-the-dark art, and music from DJ DUB TC. Come let your eyes witness the glow!
The opening celebration is on Friday, February 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Future Lab(s) at 43 East Street in North Adams. The DJ starts at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. The exhibit will close with a reception on February 24th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found online.
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The Stockbridge Library presents ‘Ukrainians and Their Pets – Watercolor Studies of Love & Resilience,’ an exhibition by Debbie Hanson Greene
Stockbridge— From February 1st through the 29th, the Stockbridge Library presents ‘Ukrainians and Their Pets – Watercolor Studies of Love & Resilience,’ an exhibition by Debbie Hanson Greene.
“Ukrainians and Their Pets” is a series of 13 small watercolor paintings by Lenox native Debbie Hanson Greene that depict the close bonds between Ukrainians and their animals as seen in dozens of news stories since that country was invaded in February 2022.
Creating the paintings helped Greene navigate sleepless nights as she watched graphic scenes of the war unfold on YouTube. “I have a deep affinity for animals, especially those in our care,” says Greene. She saw families fleeing with cats, dogs, and other pets—leaving their homes and possessions behind to face an uncertain future; soldiers rescuing and adopting abandoned pets; and stalwart residents who stayed in front-line villages, braving missile attacks and isolation to care for abandoned pets and farm animals.
“This is a new direction for me,” says Greene, who previously painted still-lifes and landscapes while working as Norman Rockwell Museum’s Director of Institutional Giving for 12+ years before leaving to pursue painting and dance. The paintings are not for sale. Greene plans “to travel the show to as many public spaces as possible, to remind people to remember the animals in times of war, and to illustrate how ordinary people can do extraordinary, heroic things.”
The show is on view February 1st through the 29th at the Stockbridge Library on Main Street in Stockbridge. A list of vetted organizations that support pet rescue efforts in Ukraine and around the world will be made available to attendees. More information can be found online.
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Guild of Berkshire Artists 10th Anniversary Special Exhibition
Stockbridge— From February 9th through February 25th, the Guild of Berkshire Artists is presenting “Musings on Nature” in the Anna and Frank Henry Leonhardt Galleries at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens.
In “Musings on Nature,” member artists were challenged to interpret their concept of what nature means to them. Is it colors, textures, or the amazing beauty of life? Is it the complexity as well as the simple beauty of spring tulips, fall leaves, and sunsets? Twenty member artists will tell us what moves them.
The Berkshires, where many members live and work, serve as the Guild’s muse. That includes Berkshire Botanical Garden itself, which hosts the Guild’s plein air group. The Guild’s work covers a wide range of visual media, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, wood, glass, and mixed media.
The exhibit runs from February 9th through February 25th in the Anna and Frank Henry Leonhardt Galleries at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens on West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Friday, February 9th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Mad Rose Gallery presents Painter Francie Lyshak and Sculptor David Colbert
Millerton, N.Y.— On Thursday, February 1st, Mad Rose Gallery is pleased to open a duo exhibition of paintings by Francie Lyshak and sculptures by David Colbert.
In an era dominated by digital challenges, Francie Lyshak ventures into the physical realm of her medium, challenging the distinction between a painting and a flat screen image. Each piece in her latest collection is characterized by a limited palette of one or two colors, meticulously applied with rough and sharp tools, imparting a sculptural essence. The low relief of these works engages with ambient light, creating a dynamic interplay that evolves with the observer’s movement. Her color choices, coupled with surface agitation, evoke a spectrum of emotions. The monochromes delve into the introspective depths encountered during moments of solitude, while the duochromes capture the nuanced emotions of an intimate partnership. The paintings, a testament to the potency of the mark harmonized with color and ambient light, invite viewers to explore the profound connection between materiality and emotion.
David Colbert’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to creating spaces that resonate with individuals, inviting them to engage with art in a meaningful and transformative way. His dedication to merging artistic expression with public utility reflects an aspiration to contribute to the creation of spaces that inspire and uplift the human spirit. Expressing his artistic philosophy, Colbert shares, “I want this art to be not only enjoyed by the public but also used by the public. I want it to make a place that draws people in, becoming a place where people want to be, where their spirit can relax and expand. To be able to contribute towards bringing that into being would be an honor and a privilege.”
The show opens on Thursday, February 1st at Mad Rose Gallery on North Elm Avenue in Millerton, N.Y. There is an opening reception on Saturday, February 3rd from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. More information can be found online.
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The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents The Braid’s live virtual production of ‘I Loved Jew, I Loved Jew Not’
Pittsfield— On Thursday, February 1st at 7 p.m., The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents The Braid’s live virtual production of “I Loved Jew, I Loved Jew Not,” a depiction of a powerful transformation from hate to love.
True stories of antisemitism and the strength to stand against it are brought to life in a powerful new work of theatre. Five actors perform these stories, offering fresh words from Jews about today’s current crisis as well as other deeply personal experiences not often covered in the media. Whether Jewish or not, you will be moved by these stories, finding in them a warmth and a strength that has remained steadfast among the Jewish community for thousands of years.
The virtual presentation is on Thursday, February 1st at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The 65-minute live performance will be followed by a Q&A. Registration and more information can be found online.
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The Norfolk Library presents an Imbolc Altar workshop with Eileen Fitzgibbons
Norfolk, Conn.— On Thursday, February 1st from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., The Norfolk Library presents an Imbolc Altar workshop with Eileen Fitzgibbons.
Celebrate St. Brigid’s Day in front of the fire in the Great Hall. With its origins in the Celtic festival of Imbolc, St. Brigid’s Day is a Gaelic traditional festival held on February 1st marking the beginning of spring in Ireland. Falling about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, it signals an end to the darkness of winter and ushers in a new season of hope and growth. Come learn how to prepare an Imbolc altar as a focal point for meditation.
The workshop is on Thursday, February 1st from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Norfolk Library on Greenwoods Road East in Norfolk, Conn. Participants will receive small items to use for the creation of their own altars. If you would like to bring a poem to share, there will be time for readings and connection. Registration and more information can be found online.
