Housatonic — MUSE, the Multi-Use Studio Experiment building, showcased its artists’ work at its open studios event on Sunday, March 3.
The building, located at 430 Park Street in downtown Housatonic, on the bank of the Housatonic River, was formally a factory building and, for over 100 years, was home to the Monument Mills company making fine Jacquard bedspreads. The building was home to Country Curtains from the 1970s until 2018. It was purchased in June 2018 by then-husband and wife Asher Israelow and Jamie Goldenberg who converted the building into artist studios.
In late 2018, MUSE received a state grant of $147,572 to renovate the 25,000-square-foot building to accommodate artists and businesses. The building continues to thrive, and according to Building Manager and artist Huckleberry Elling, the building is now almost at full capacity, with 24 artists in 20 studios.
“I attribute the growth of MUSE to there being a demand for artist studio space in Berkshire County,” Elling told The Berkshire Edge. “There just are not that many studios being offered in Berkshire County. We’ve provided a great product for artists.”
Elling said that the building has a mix of hobbyist and professional artists creating a variety of art including paintings, photographs, weavings, and textile art. “I think we have a great variety of artists in Berkshire County, and this is a great area to create art in,” Elling said. “The long winters keep us indoors and tinkering away at projects. There is a lot to be inspired by around here, including the scenery. Having the river outside of the building helps us to create.”
Artist Nicole Ogg, an artist who mostly draws and paints in acrylics and watercolors, is a recent addition to the MUSE building. She explained that she obtained her studio at MUSE earlier this year. “I love being at MUSE because there is a community here,” Ogg said. “There are people at MUSE to talk to and check in with about my work. It’s great getting feedback from others because oftentimes we work independently. When I work at MUSE I get to socialize with others, get feedback, and get inspired by the river.”
“It’s a great location, and because we’re right on the river, we get all of the energy out of the river,” artist Panos Papamichael said. Papamichael has been an artist for over 25 years. “When I drive up here to the MUSE building in the morning, I’m usually the first person here,” Papamichael said. “When I get out of the car, I just feel that energy from the river. It inspires me right before I come up to my studio in the building. I can look out the window and see that river again, and I can be happy all day long.”
Photographer Daisy Noyes is originally from Melbourne, Australia, but lived in the Berkshire County area as a child. She moved to the Berkshires with her family two years ago. “There’s a very high percentage of artists in the Berkshire County area,” Noyes said. “The Berkshires seem to be hotspots for galleries and artists. Having a studio at MUSE keeps me connected with other artists and their works.”
Artist Rachel Kaufmann said that the MUSE studios reflect the diversity of artists in Berkshire County. “There are so many different styles and works when it comes to artists in the Berkshires,” Kaufmann said. “Sometimes artists gravitate towards nature, and other times they gravitate towards life all around them. I think artists in the Berkshires are into all different types of styles and diversity.”
For more information about MUSE, visit its website.
