Business Briefs: WAM makes record donation; Constitution booklets at Kenver; Lauren Clark Fine Art’s ‘Last Waltz’; BHS clothing drive; MMRHS fundraiser

WAM Theatre makes record donation to two nonprofit beneficiaries

Lenox — Every year, WAM Theatre donates a portion of the box office proceeds from its fall mainstage production to agencies that benefit women and girls locally, nationally or internationally. The success of this year’s “Ann” enabled the company to present its largest donation ever: $15,000 split evenly between the Denise Kaley Fund and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts’ 2018 Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact.

A one-woman tour-de-force, “Ann” is a spirited portrait of Ann Richards, legendary governor of Texas. Written by award-winning actress and writer Holland Taylor and starring Jayne Atkinson, “Ann” was a co-production with the Dorset Theatre Festival, where it ran for four sold-out performances over Labor Day weekend. “Ann” then continued on to break all of WAM’s ticket sales records during its two-week run at Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse in October.

In keeping with WAM Theatre’s double philanthropic mission, the check presentations were made following the Oct. 28 closing performance. Since its founding in 2010, WAM Theatre has now donated more than $56,500 to 15 nonprofit organizations.

–E.E.

*     *     *

The patriotic facade of Kenver in Egremont. Photo courtesy Kenver

Kenver to give out Constitution booklets on Election Day

Egremont — On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Berkshire County residents and citizens across the country will be headed to the polls to cast their votes in the nation’s midterm elections. Because the political landscape so deeply divided, there is a grassroots effort across the political spectrum to get out the vote and especially to mobilize the disenfranchised.

Lucinda Fenn-Vermeulen, Berkshire resident and owner of Egremont mainstay Kenver, is urging all eligible citizens to participate in the democratic process by exercising the hard-won right to vote. As an added incentive, Kenver will be handing out free booklets of the U.S. Constitution to voters who visit the store after casting their ballots. No purchase is necessary.

“Regardless of the outcome of the election we all must, especially now, fulfill our obligation as citizens to be informed and to vote. Our democracy is threatened and we need to save it with with facts, civility, and grace,” Fenn-Vermeulen said. “We see this gesture simply as a way to thank voters for exercising their rights, by putting them in the palm of their hands.”

–E.E.

*     *     *

Lauren Clark Fine Art to close out gallery with ‘The Last Waltz’

‘Woodpile’ by Joby Baker. Image courtesy Lauren Clark Fine Art

Great Barrington — Lauren Clark Fine Art will present the group show “The Last Waltz” with gallery artists Joby Baker, Richard Britell, Julio Granda, Geoffrey Moss, Franco Pellegrino, Joe Wheaton and Terry Wise Saturday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Dec. 2. An opening reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m.

This will be the last show curated and hosted by Clark at her eponymous gallery at 325 Stockbridge Road. After 26 years as a gallerist, Clark will somewhat un-hang her walls and concentrate her business on artist representation, design services and internet art sales. Clark’s gallery as well as her framing business, Framing on the Edge, will move to 684 Main St. as of Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.

–E.E.

*     *     *

Berkshire Humane Society seeks clothing donations

Lenox — Berkshire Humane Society will open the doors of its new Catwalk Boutique at 26 Church St. for a two-day clothing drive Sunday, Nov. 11, and Monday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the public to drop off donations and take a sneak peek at the new space. Light refreshments will be provided and adoptable animals will make an appearance.

The clothing drive is part of an ongoing effort to collect like-new and very gently used women’s clothing to sell at Catwalk Boutique, which is entirely stocked by community donations. All women’s clothing and outerwear, jewelry, shoes, handbags, wallets, scarves, hats and gloves will be accepted. Men’s clothing that is in excellent condition will also be accepted. The public is asked not to donate lingerie, undergarments or bathing suits.

All proceeds generated at Catwalk Boutique help the shelter care for more than 1,200 homeless animals each year, as well as fund numerous programs and services that benefit both people and animals. Ongoing donations may be dropped off at Berkshire Humane Society’s main campus in Pittsfield and Purradise at 301 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington. For more information about drop-offs and pick-ups in Lenox, contact cmcgrath@berkshirehumane.org.

–E.E.

*     *     *

Monument Mountain Regional High School, Mulberry Hair Company to partner for fundraiser

Great Barrington — Mulberry Hair Company will host a beauty night Saturday, Nov. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. to raise money for the Monument Mountain Regional High School basketball teams. During the event, stylists will be doing blow-dries, conditioning treatments and makeup applications using Jane Iredale cosmetics. DOLA Pizzeria Napoletana will provide pizza and Mulberry will provide refreshments.

Payment will be by donation for services rendered. All proceeds will go to the teams. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Mulberry Hair Company at (413) 644-9385.

–E.E.