Eclipse Mill Gallery and Greylock Arts Launch Summer Art Season
Berkshire Salon and Being There
By: Charles Giuliano - May 24, 2008
The gallery always finds interesting ways to use its storefornt windows. This provides 24 hour viewing opportunities. This time Matt Belanger has created a provocative window installation composed entirely of materials purchased at the North Adams Walmart. Where he grew up in the midwest Walmart was the only act in town and had an enormous impact on his psyche.
The other window is equally provocative if a bit confounding. At first glance the crumbling materials and dust suggested a phase of construction or renovation. It seemed odd that the gallery didn't finish the project in time for the opening. But, good grief, the artist,Dan Rose, got a kick out of my confusion. It appears that he also submitted a piece for the Berkshire Salon "Woman's Face 1933" which was either inept in its casual elements of collage, or, in the best Dada tradition, astonishingly brilliant.
When we were hanging the piece I blew off some of the dust not knowing that I was not supposed to. That, in fact, dust is a primary material for the artist who commutes to an Adams studio from Stamford, Vermont. I am intrigued and hope to schedule a studio visit.
Installing the Berkshire Salon entailed a long and stressful week. So we made it an early evening after Greylock Arts. I fell asleep during the Celtics Game which they lost anyway. We needed rest to get ready for the Berkshire Salon opening. Astrid stayed up to prepare food for the event.
The opening of the Berkshire Salon, with some 48 artists, at the Eclipse Mill Gallery in North Adams, started at 6 pm. Within the first fifteen minutes the loft space was packed. While people came and went through the evening the party was in full swing at 8 pm when it was scheduled to be over. We doused the lights and let the cat out of the cellar at 9 pm. A hrumbling crowd didn't want to leave. They grabbed beers and headed off for after parties in several lofts from which some individuals staggered out in the wee hours of the morning. What a blast.
The opening of the Berkshire Salon, with some 48 artists, at the Eclipse Mill Gallery in North Adams, started at 6 pm. Within the first fifteen minutes the loft space was packed. While people came and went through the evening the party was in full swing at 8 pm when it was scheduled to be over. We doused the lights and let the cat out of the cellar at 9 pm. A hrumbling crowd didn't want to leave. They grabbed beers and headed off for after parties in several lofts from which some individuals staggered out in the wee hours of the morning. What a blast.
The show involved a lively and eclectic mix of a core of Eclipse resident artists, established regional artists and folks who had never publicly shown their work. It was a hoot for everyone. Particularly there had been an ongoing concern that there were few if any opportunities for young artists in he area to show their work. So, Andrew Davis, who has recently relocated from L.A. and taken a loft in the nearby Beaver Mill was exicted about the energy and openness of the Salon.
Davis and several other artists in the Salon will be showing in the cooperative gallery being organized by mill resident and ceramic artist, Diane Sullivan. It is due to open soon in downtown North Adams. This is just the kind of energy and exposure that is vital to sustain the artist community that has emerged around Mass MoCA.
In downtown North Adams this summer there will be several galleries where just a couple of years ago there were none. There is Gallery 51 of MCLA. Next to it North Adams Antiques the enterprise of Jeff and Jane Hudson, also displays contemporary art. There will be Sullivan's coop and a gallery showing the work of Jarvis Rockwell. Mass MoCA has some 60 artists from undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals who are working on installing the Sol Lewitt murals which open at Mass MoCA in November. There will be a gallery displaying work by this unique group of artists who are being housed all over town. It will be interestng to see how this critical mass of artists impacts the local community this summer.
It was great fun to have so many artists participating in the Salon. The outreach extended far beyond the usual art crowd. Many of the artists brought family and friends with some of the older folks greeting each other as long lost strangers. There was a real sense of community and the challenge will be to lure this audience back for future projects and exhibitions.
Artists who missed the deadline are already making plans to participate next year. The show will be up for a month, so drop by and see what the excitement is all about.
It was great fun to have so many artists participating in the Salon. The outreach extended far beyond the usual art crowd. Many of the artists brought family and friends with some of the older folks greeting each other as long lost strangers. There was a real sense of community and the challenge will be to lure this audience back for future projects and exhibitions.
Artists who missed the deadline are already making plans to participate next year. The show will be up for a month, so drop by and see what the excitement is all about.