Williams College Museum of Art announces three new curatorial appointments
Williamstown— The Williams College Museum of Art is thrilled to announce three new curatorial appointments, Christa Clarke, Director of Curatorial Strategy for the new museum project; Dan Byers, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art; and Rachael Nelson, Mellon Curatorial Fellow.
As Director of Curatorial Strategy, Christa Clarke will help shape and implement the vision for WCMA’s future in their new building. Most recently she served as Senior Advisor at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, of which she is also an alumni Fellow. Previously, she was Senior Curator at the Newark Museum of Art, where she created its Arts of Global Africa department, an institutional model that has since been adopted by other museums. She has also served as consulting curator at various institutions, including Smith College Museum of Art, the Neuberger Museum of Art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Memphis Brooks Museum, and the San Antonio Museum of Art. She has held leadership roles with Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) and the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA). She has held recent teaching appointments at NYU Abu Dhabi, Boston University, and the University of Pennsylvania and research fellowships at the Clark Art Institute, Harvard University, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her publications include “Representing Africa in American Art Museums” (co-edited with Kathleen Berzock,) “African Art at the Barnes Foundation,” “Arts of Global Africa: The Newark Museum Collection” and “The Activist Collector: Lida Clanton Broner’s 1938 Journey from Newark to South Africa.” She received her B.A. from University of Virginia and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.
As WCMA’s new Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Dan Byers will be an integral member of the museum’s curatorial engagement division. As the John R. and Barbara Robinson Family Director of the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University, he has also taught curatorial studies in the Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies and at the Graduate School of Design. Previously, he was Mannion Family Senior Curator at the ICA/Boston, where he organized solo exhibitions featuring Diane Simpson, Geoffrey Farmer, and Steve McQueen. Byers was the inaugural Richard Armstrong Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Carnegie Museum of Art and co-curator, with Daniel Baumann and Tina Kukielski, of the 2013 Carnegie International. He was curator of the Icelandic Pavilion at 60th Venice Biennale featuring artist Hildigunur Birgisdottir. He was chair of the 2019 Curatorial Leadership Summit at the Armory Show, and co-organizer (with Ruba Katrib) of Why New Forms, Bard College’s Center for Curatorial Studies 20th anniversary conference. Earlier in his career, he held positions at The Fabric Workshop and Museum and the Walker Art Center. Byers holds an M.A. from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College and a B.S. in Studio Art from Skidmore College.
Rachael Nelson comes to WCMA having most recently served as an educator at Old North Illuminated Church. Nelson received a BA in Classical Archaeology and Fine Arts from Saint Anselm College in 2021. While pursuing her undergraduate degree she participated in excavations with the Mediterranean Institute of Archaeology in Orvieto, Italy, working on Etruscan and Late Republic/Early Imperial Roman sites. In 2023 she received her MA in the History of Art and Architecture and certificate in Museum Studies from Boston University. She has diverse experience working with community arts and history organizations, including the Gibson House Museum, the Fenway Alliance, and the Old North Church and Historic Site.
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Lee Chamber of Commerce announces election of board members
Lee— The Lee Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on November 4th at Greenock Country Club, with a dinner catered by KJ Nosh. In addition to electing Board Members, the chamber also honored businesses and individuals that have contributed significantly to the business community in Lee.
Returning board members elected to serve three-year terms are Doug Bagnasco (Devonfield Inn) and Vincent Vigilante (Jacob’s Pillow.) The Board said thank you to David Harrington (Lee Bank) for his years of service on the Board. Michelle “Shelly” Bombardier (Lee Bank) was voted unanimously to the Board.
During the awards ceremony, High Lawn Farm was honored as Corporate Citizen of the Year, the 2024 Distinguished Service Award was given to the Lee Library and Anne DelGrande of Terrace Hair Studio, and the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Karen Keenan. Recognized as Volunteer of the Year was Susan Gore for her work for the Lee Food Pantry.
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Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and RSI Signs presents a ‘Winter Window-land’ decorating contest
Pittsfield— Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and RSI Signs have announced the Winter Window-land Decorating Contest in Downtown Pittsfield to be held December 16th through December 27th.
First floor locations on North and South Street between West Housatonic Street and Wahconah Street are invited to compete for the title of “Best Decorated Windows for the Holidays” in this free contest. RSI Signs is excited to offer their Essentials Package as the prize for the winner, a $500 value. It includes essential signage and promotional materials to help you get noticed.
Participating locations will receive a flyer to put in their window with the QR code for voting and some small handwritten ballots that can be dropped off to the DPI mailbox. Locations must sign up by December 4th to be included in the voting. Locations that would like to be involved must fill out the Google Form online at http://bit.ly/3O4YLOm by Wednesday, December 4th, or contact Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at kgritman@downtownpittsfield.com or 413-443-6501.
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BFAIR’s 90s-themed fundraiser raises over $70,000 to support people with disabilities
North Adams— Berkshire Family & Individual Resources (BFAIR) raises over $70,000 with 30th Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser.
Held on Friday, October 25th at The Williams Inn, the event brought together over 125 guests, sponsors, and community members who embraced the nostalgic atmosphere with 90s-inspired attire, music, and activities. DJ MusiChris kept the dance floor alive with classic 90s hits, and guests enjoyed a range of interactive experiences, including a photo booth, raffle, and a silent auction featuring exciting items.
BFAIR extends heartfelt thanks to all attendees, sponsors, and volunteers who made this event possible, with special recognition to SourcePass as the Wheel of Fortune Sponsor, and to Adams Community Bank as the Let’s Make a Deal Sponsor. “We’re humbled by the generosity of our supporters,” said Rich Weisenflue, CEO. “The funds raised will significantly enhance our programs, from residential and employment services to community living and self-advocacy initiatives. This night was truly unforgettable, and the support we received will have a lasting impact on the individuals we serve.”
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Berkshire Center for Justice awarded $5,000 grant by Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires
Great Barrington— The Berkshire Center for Justice (“BCJ”) has been awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000.00 by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires.
The funds will be used to support a paralegal position which provides case assistance for BCJ’s legal and wrap-around community services for underrepresented low income residents. BCJ offers direct legal services, legal education and mentoring services in a wide area of law.
The Berkshire Center for Justice is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization that provides legal, educational, social referrals and mentoring services that promote social and community justice with dignity and kindness. The organization has been in operation since 2006 and is well known for offering 72 Free Legal Clinics per year throughout Berkshire County. If you would like to help support these justice programs, donations can be made online at BerkshireCenterforJustice.org, or call 413-854-1955 for more information and volunteer opportunities.
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Berkshire Bank Foundation invests more than $350,000 in nonprofits in third quarter
Berkshire— Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $350,000 in communities across its five-state footprint through grants and other giving in the third quarter of 2024.
From July to September, the foundation invested in 100 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, including. Berkshire organizations receiving support are Berkshire United Way Inc. and Elizabeth Freeman Center Inc., both in Pittsfield.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities that support us,” said Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “Empowering the communities we serve creates lasting, positive change that will result in a more vibrant future for everyone.”
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Harold Grinspoon underwrites access to Austen Riggs Center online treatment
Stockbridge— In a move to provide in-depth mental health care to emerging adults living in Massachusetts, philanthropist Harold Grinspoon has gifted $250,000 to the Austen Riggs Center to support the Riggs Online Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The funding, which Riggs is matching, will provide $500,000 for up to 13 weeks of treatment to 16 individuals over the course of the coming year.
“I have a deep appreciation for the importance of access to mental health care, in particular psychoanalytically oriented treatment,” said Grinspoon. “In making this gift, my goal is to ensure that everyone in our community who would benefit from this treatment has access to the world-class mental health professionals at Austen Riggs.”
“We’re committed to bringing Riggs’ treatment to a socially and economically diverse patient population,” said Online IOP Director Spencer Biel, PsyD. “Since we launched, our Online IOP has treated over 100 patients, 42% of whom identify as BIPOC and gender diverse. 62% of the college students we’ve treated are receiving financial aid for school, and patients are only responsible for costs associated with their insurance coverage.”
The Online IOP is currently accepting applications for admission and support via the Grinspoon fund. To find out more or to apply, call Jessi Nolet, Online IOP Program Coordinator, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-921-5700 or online.
