Thursday, October 3, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: ‘The Cold Waxers’ at Art on Main; WordxWord at The Mount; Alex Mar at North Chatham Free Library; Mary Pope Osborne at Stockbridge Library; Seth Farber and Liz Queler at Becket Arts Center; ‘Birding & Biking’ with Hoffmann Bird Club; New Boston Church 150th Anniversary

Cold wax medium, or CWM, is an oil painting medium composed mainly of beeswax, with a small amount of solvent to soften it and other ingredients to aid in drying time.

Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘The Cold Waxers’ at Art on Main

West Stockbridge— From September 26th through October 6th, the Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘The Cold Waxers’ at Art on Main. 

Who are the “cold waxers?” They are a group of artists delving into the unique experience of painting with cold wax medium and oils. Cold wax medium, or CWM, is an oil painting medium composed mainly of beeswax, with a small amount of solvent to soften it and other ingredients to aid in drying time. It has a soft, paste-like consistency at room temperature and dries to a matte surface. Unlike encaustic processes, it requires no heat to use it. Many luminous and unique effects are possible using CWM. Facilitated by cold wax artist Carolyn Abrams, the classes have been filled with experimentation and sharing of ideas and techniques.

The exhibit runs from September 26th through October 6th at Art on Main Gallery on Main Street in West Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Saturday, September 28th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found online. 

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WordxWord presents ‘Poets Creating Conversation’ at The Mount

Lenox— On Sunday, September 29th at 1 p.m., WordxWord presents “Poets Creating Conversation” at The Mount.

Not for the faint of heart, “Poets Creating Conversation” throws out a single word/idea and asks poets to circle around. The time the prompt is “between.”

Courtesy WordxWord.

The free event is on Sunday, September 29th at 1 p.m. at The Mount at 2 Plunkett Street in Lenox. It is outdoors. Bring your own chair, blanket, and picnic, etc. More information can be found online. 

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North Chatham Free Library presents a conversation with author and filmmaker Alex Mar

North Chatham, N.Y.— On Sunday, September 29th at 3 p.m., North Chatham Free Library presents a conversation with author and filmmaker Alex Mar.

Enjoy a candid conversation with Alex Mar to learn about her artistic journey. She will talk about the challenges, delights, and surprises she has encountered along the way.

Alex Mar. Courtesy North Chatham Free Library.

After five years of immersive research and writing, Alex Mar published her second non-fiction book, “Seventy Times Seven” (Penguin Press.) The book has been named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, one of New York Magazine’s “Best Books of 2023,” and an Amazon Editor’s Pick. It was one of Goodreads’ “Readers Most Anticipated Books of Spring” and “Literary Hub’s “Most Anticipated Books of 2023.” Her first book “Witches of America” was a New York Times Notable Book and a New York Times Editor’s Pick. As a reporter, her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Wired, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Book Review, and The Guardian, among many other outlets, as well as The Best American Magazine Writing. She has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award in Feature Writing and is also the director of the feature-length documentary “American Mystic.”

The free event is on Sunday, September 29th at 3 p.m. at North Chatham Free Library at 4287 Route 203 in North Chatham, N.Y. More information can be found online.

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Stockbridge Library presents Mary Pope Osborne, author of the ‘Magic Tree House’ book series

Stockbridge— On Sunday, September 29th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in collaboration with the WIT Literary Festival, the Stockbridge Library presents Mary Pope Osborne, author of the “Magic Tree House” book series. 

Children will hear Mary speak about the process and joy of writing the “Magic Tree House” books, receive a free book (while supplies last), have their book signed, and take a photo with the author.

Courtesy Stockbridge Library.

The free event is on Sunday, September 29th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library at 46 Main Street in Stockbridge. More information can be found online. 

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Becket Arts Center presents an outdoor concert by Seth Farber and Liz Queler

Becket— On Saturday, September 28th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., as part of “Becket Parks & Recreation’s Family Fun Day” and the Becket Arts Center’s “Music Brings Communities Together” program, the Becket Arts Center presents an outdoor concert by Seth Farber and Liz Queler. 

Seth Farber and Liz Queler. Courtesy Becket Arts Center.

Seth Farber is a jazz musician and Liz Queler is an acoustic singer/songwriter. They each have solo careers as well as collaborative projects, plus eight Grammy nominations between them. 

The free concert is on Saturday, September 28th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Becket Center Town Park at 3343 Main Street in Becket. Bring lawn chairs, coolers, snacks, and the kids. More information cab be found online. 

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Hoffmann Bird Club to host a ‘Birding & Biking’ event on Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

Cheshire— On Sunday, September 29 at 7:30 a.m., Hoffmann Bird Club will host a “Birding & Biking” event on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. 

The Hoffmann Bird Club invites birding enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers to join a unique Birding & Biking event on the scenic Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Participants will explore the paved trail by bike while searching for migrating fall birds. This event is open to all levels of birders and cyclists.

Courtesy Hoffman Bird Club.

The free event is on Sunday, September 29 at 7:30 a.m. Meet at Farnam’s Causeway Road, located north of Whitney’s Farm & Garden Center, midway along Cheshire Reservoir. Participants are required to bring their own bike, helmet, binoculars, water, and a snack. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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New Boston Church Congregation 150th Anniversary Celebration

Sandisfield— On Sunday September 29th at 10 a.m., the New Boston Congregational Church is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the congregation with a special service.

At a time when protestant churches are closing by the thousands every year, and many others are struggling, this church has had a resurgence of membership and sustained attendance.  The “Little Brown Church” is one of the few remaining active Congregational churches in the Hilltowns of the Berkshires.

Courtesy New Boston Church.

The remarkable revival owes in large part to its inspirational and upbeat pastor, Reverend Eric Kriebel who said, “This day will be made even more special if we can get people who have moved away or who have ever attended or had any connection to this marvelous little church to come on the 29th”.  

A special guest speaker and former pastor (1970-1971) the Reverend Michael Gantt, an author and radio show host from Brattleboro, Vermont, will recall his ministry here and how the experience at a small rural community church influenced his clerical career including missionary work in Africa.    

The service is on Sunday September 29th at 10 a.m. at the New Boston Congregational Church at 4 Sandisfield Road in Sandisfield. Following the service there will be a short talk and tour of the interior of the 1879 Gothic Revival-style building which is in virtually original condition.  A free cookout will follow. All are welcome. More information can be found online.

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