BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA
DESTINATION BERKSHIRES, MA
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ust two and a half hours west of Boston is one of New England’s most treasured destinations—the Berkshires—offering a serenity and charm that’s unparalleled for the traveler, in any season. Touching Vermont to the north, Connecticut to the south and New York to the west, this vast area is a magnet for culture vultures of every persuasion. Galleries, museums, theater, outdoor sports and an outrageous farmto-table dining scene await. It’s ironic, many travel here for R & R yet realize they can’t sit still once they arrive. Art New England’s “artinerary” will help you plan and prepare for an amazing summer experience. If starting from points north, begin in North Adams, home of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, commonly known as Mass MoCA, which in 2017 will be the largest contemporary art museum in the United States. Located on a 13-acre compound of 19th century factory buildings, you’ll find, on any given day or weekend, an endless array of exhibits, music and performances. Spend a full day or more, if possible, it’s such a treat. A short walk from Mass MoCA is the Rudd Art Museum, founded by Eric Rudd to highlight the thriving Berkshires art scene. The museum is housed in two old churches complete with soaring ceilings, a cathedral tower and original stained glass. The 25,000-square-foot space features permanent galleries displaying five decades of Rudd’s own work as well as two exhibition galleries for new artists. The current exhibit That 70s Show looks at the artistically turbulent 1970s through the lens of Berkshire artists, including Stephan Hannock, Warner Friedman, Joe Goodwin and Julio Granda. From the Rudd Museum, pop over to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) on Church Street. The campus itself is teaming with art, from student works to gallery spaces and murals. MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center started DownStreet Art, a public art project that encourages a dialogue between the North Adams community and the arts. On the last Thursday of every month all DownStreet Art galleries and venues are open late for receptions, exhibits and performances. During May and June the college’s Gallery 51 will display Two Natures Talking, an
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The foyer of Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio. Courtesy of the museum.
exhibit exploring the exchange between artists and poets, which includes a collage of text fragments, brushstrokes and paper shapes. A short drive west on Route 2 is the Williams College campus, otherwise known as Williamstown, where local art blends with an idyllic small town setting. It’s hard to deny that “I’d love to go back to school” feeling while roaming the campus, watching students biking
to a summer class or overhearing their feisty conversations in the Tunnel City Coffee shop on Spring Street. While here, be sure to wander into the Williams College Museum of Art. Hailed as one of the finest college art museums in the country, the WCMA holds more than 14,000 works spanning from Egyptian to contemporary. And you’re in luck. On view through midAugust is Warhol by the Book, an array of Andy
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BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA Warhol’s satirical popup books, ranging from a cookbook mocking “fashionable” French recipes to a “children’s book for hipsters” featuring a DIY nose job. Near Tunnel City Coffee, also on Spring Street, is the highly-regarded Harrison Gallery. A believer that art can have a profound effect on the way we live, founder Jo Harrison makes her artwork accessible, offering a range of affordability to all collectors, new and seasoned. Specializing in contemporary American artists, the gallery’s philosophy is “to honor the spirit of art in all of us” and that’s reflected in its diversity of work and styles. During May, in the north gallery space, enjoy the paintings of Leslie Peck and, in June, an American Realism show highlights the works of Peter Hussey, Hale Johnson and Christopher Pierce.
For all the foodies with you, Red Apple Butchers in Dalton, about a 30-minute drive south on US-7, is a must-see or, rather, ‘musteat’ destination. Owners James Burden and Jazu Stine created the shop after witnessing wasteful meat processes in big chain grocers. By scheduling each butcher order, Burden and Stine utilize the whole animal with no waste, and ensure that their customers are getting the freshest possible product. No worries if you’re just passing through. The store has a self-serve case stocked with popular cuts and Burden and Stine are always available to swap recipes and offer culinary guidance. Leaving Dalton, a scenic ten-minute drive takes you to Pittsfield, the next stop on your “art-inerary.” Located on South Street, not far from the historic Colonial Theater is the
Berkshire Museum. The impressive stone building, complete with friendly dinosaur sculpture grazing outside, contains cultural objects from almost every continent. Far from just a history of the area, the Berkshire Museum has been called “a window to the world.” Start your tour at Objectify: A Look into the Permanent Collection. This show features the museum’s most significant holdings in art, culture, science and history. If you’re touring with children check out Spark!Lab. This space, developed by the Smithsonian Institute, fosters a fun family experience with hands-on creativity, innovation and learning. What’s astounding about the Berkshires is that there is literally something special, cultural or historic in each town you pass through. Fifteen minutes down South Street (Route 20)
August Housatonic
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“The Berkshires Premier Summer Art Event”
200 Artists
Featured in
One Moment to the Next
The Art of Jim Schantz A Silver City Studio Publication Stockbridge, MA 413-298-8199 August Housatonic, Loosestrife (detail) Artwork available at Pucker Gallery, Boston (617) 267-9473
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Jewelry Glass Sculpture Painting Fiber WorkShoPS Metal Food • MuSiC Wood deMoS Ceramics Leather Mixed media Wearable Art Photography VALerie BunneLL
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BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA
Red Apple Butchers A nose to tail butcher shop that sources pasture-raised animals from local farmers in and around Berkshire County. 813 Dalton Division Rd • Dalton, MA 01226 Retail & Wholesale • Catering & Education redapplebutchers@gmail.com redapplebutchers.com
is Lenox, home of the Boston Symphony’s world-famous Tanglewood. This small yet culturally rich town is also where you’ll find the Sohn Gallery, on Church Street. Sohn is the only contemporary photography gallery in the Berkshires and is currently offering a striking exhibit called Portrait of Africa by photographer Anton Lyalin. This is the Russian artist’s US debut. Beyond exhibits, Sohn offers “workshops, artist talks, and custom printing and framing,” says owner Cassandra Sohn. “It’s our goal to offer opportunities not only to buyers of art but also to photographers and the general public.” A three-minute drive from Sohn, still in Lenox, is the fascinating Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio. Home to the dynamic, prolific American Abstract artists George L.K. Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen in the 1940s, the house now gives the public a rare glimpse
into their aesthetic world. Set back in a serene wooded clearing, the house and adjoining studio were the first modern structures built in New England, inspired by the white-stucco walled, notched-roof Paris studio where Morris worked in 1929. The home still has all its original furnishings and the walls display the couple’s striking art collection that includes their own work as well as Picasso, Braque, Leger and Gris, among others. A quick jaunt down Old Stockbridge Road leads to Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount. The beautiful estate was built based on Wharton’s 1897 book, The Decoration of Houses. Beginning June 1, you can view a collaborative exhibition presented by Sculpture Now, featuring a collection of large-scale contemporary outdoor sculptures stationed around the Mount’s manicured grounds. The result is a stunning juxtaposition
Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs June 6 - October 26, 2015
nrm.org 413.298.4100 Stockbridge, MA open year-round
Roz Chast, illustrations for Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant ©2014. All rights reserved.
May 23 - September 7, 2015 Sponsored by
39 South St., Pittsfield, MA 413.443.7171
Berkshiremuseum.org
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BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA Vanderbilt’s Ventfort Hall. Check their website for more dates and times. We mentioned that the Berkshires touches New York as well so we encourage a detour over the Massachusetts border, about 20 minutes west of Lenox, to enjoy a visit at Hoogs and Crawford glasswork Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Lanesboro to Adams, MA. Photo: Ogden Gigli. Photo courtesy of Berkshire Visitors Bureau. shop and studio in Canaan, New York. Have you ever seen of old and new. No doubt Wharton, a lover of a glass blowing demonstration? It’s mesmerart, would have been delighted looking out her izing. On any given day, visitors will stop to bedroom window and seeing such a provocawatch Elizabeth Crawford and Nathan Hoogs tive display. blowing, shaping and coloring glass or to take The magic of the Gilded Age continues just a one-on-one class. “We really wanted to share down the road at Ventfort Hall, an elaborate the art of glassblowing with the local area,” Jacobean-revival style mansion built in 1893 says Crawford. Bright colors and bold patterns for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J.P. Morgan. In weave together organically through their work addition to a splendid array of period-decorated as if these intriguing shapes and colors are naturooms, Ventfort is also home to the Museum rally part of the glass. of the Gilded Age. Enjoy a tour of the mansion By now, you’re ready to wind down and or, even better, pair it with high tea. On May 9, enjoy a glass of wine. We suggest heading into the hall will host an event titled Mrs. Vanderbilt: Stockbridge, the Berkshires’ artistic hub, and Lusitania Widow and Ventfort Hall Grande Dame. checking in at the classic Inn at Stockbridge to Over tea, local historian Cornelia Brooke recharge in the luxurious rooms of this early 3.30.15.AM.ANE.ad_Layout 1 4/7/15 4:53 PM Page 2 Gilder will tell the story of Margaret Emerson 20th century Georgian-style mansion. Located a
mile outside of downtown Stockbridge, the inn is a peaceful oasis nestled away from the road in a lush green landscape. Owners Jeff Bell and Lisa Morehouse treat guests like family. Enjoy a late afternoon wine and cheese social hour, or take a stroll through the extensive grounds. Take a long stroll. Lisa’s breakfasts are legendary and will prep you for another day of exploring. A quick ride from the inn takes you into downtown Stockbridge where you’ll find Schantz Galleries. Schantz was one of the earliest studio galleries in the US to show contemporary glass art. A virtual museum of glass, the space is filled with sculptures, wall hangings and freestanding objects from more than 50 internationally recognized artists working in glass, including Dale Chihuly, Marvin Lipofsky and Lino Tagliapietra. At the top of their field,
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A MUSICAL FEAST
WITH WORKS BY MONTEVERDI, MARAIS, SCHUBERT, BOCCHERINI, MOZART, VIVALDI AND J.S.BACH. Slosberg Auditorium, Brandeis Univ. Olin Hall, Bard College Daniel Arts Center, Bard College at Simon’s Rock & Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
June 18 - July 18, 2015 (888) 492-1283 www.astonmagna.org
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theharrisongallery.com Williamstown, MA
www.hoogsandcrawford.com 413 212 9404 2439 State Route 295 Canaan, NY 12029 Studio…Gallery…Exquisite Craftsmanship
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BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA owners Jim Schantz and Kim Saul promote both established and up and coming artists and actively participate in major glass exhibitions across the country. Another short ride away, also in Stockbridge, is the handsome Norman Rockwell Museum, home of the world’s largest collection of Rockwell works, in addition to a substantial collection of preparatory drawings and photographs. It’s a treasure. The grounds are perfect for summer picnics and showcase sculptures by Rockwell’s son Peter. On the other side of the property you can tour Rockwell’s studio, still set up as though he might sit down to paint at any moment. An exhibit of work by Roz Chast, New Yorker cartoonist, opens on June 6. Don’t leave Stockbridge without stopping by Chesterwood on Williamsville Road, the country home of Daniel Chester French, the
American monument sculptor. French purchased the home in 1896 and his family spent six months of the year there. A tour through the house reveals dozens of models and plaster sketches of his (pun-intended) monumental works. Make time for a tour of the grounds that were French’s main inspiration. On view May 23 through October are 24 artists from Boston Sculptor’s Gallery. Each artist will show a sitespecific work which will be displayed on the grounds. The contemporary sculpture will reinvigorate French’s work and spark a comparative dialogue. One of the most highly anticipated events of the year is the Berkshire International Film Festival in Great Barrington, just 15 minutes from Stockbridge. This is the 10th anniversary of the festival, and to celebrate, it will show more than 80 films from May 28–31. With seven
screens and more than 3,000 expected guests, this will be the festival’s biggest year yet. In addition to screenings, the four-day event features parties, talkbacks, panel discussions and an art exhibit. Kelley Vickery, founder and executive director of the festival can’t wait for the fun to begin. “We start showing films at 9 o’clock on Friday morning,” she says, “And let me tell you, we have a line out the door.” If you began your day at that 9 a.m. screening, it’s time to check into one of the Berkshires finest, the Devonfield Inn in Lee. The inn is just what one imagines as the quintessential New England bed and breakfast. Impeccably manicured grounds lead up to the Englishstyle manor house, which once hosted Queen Wilhelmina of Holland and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Each morning guests awaken to breakfast served on fine china, accompanied by
What Recent Visitors Said on Tripadvisor “…You can’t help but be astonished at the architectural details… If in the Lenox area, please make sure you visit Ventfort Hall…” “Went to Ventfort Hall yesterday for a house tour… worth every penny!”
Open daily for tours year round, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum is a magnificent Berkshire “Cottage” built in 1893 by George and Sarah Morgan, sister of the financier J.P. Morgan. Rescued from demolition, the elegant Jacobean-Revival mansion serves as a timeless example of the fine craftsmanship and elegant architecture of the Gilded Age with its hand carved oak great hall, dramatic staircase, beautiful plaster ceilings, expansive lawn, 90 foot grand veranda and more. Ventfort Hall was used as the exterior set for the Academy Award-winning film The Cider House Rules.
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104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA (413) 637-3206 GildedAge.org Check our website calendar for hours and events
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BERKSHIRES, BERKSHIRES, MA MA classical music. You may wish to picnic on the lush lawn and read the Wharton novel from the gift shop at The Mount, or explore downtown Lee, which remains largely unchanged from the FDR days. A stop in Great Barrington is, of course, a must as your “art-inerary” continues. In a sleek glass storefront on Railroad Street you’ll find the Lauren Clark Fine Art Gallery, an integral component of the Berkshire gallery scene since 2006. “I like to spend my time surrounded by beautiful things. Everything that is in the gallery is carefully chosen, not just randomly chosen because I think it will sell,” says Clark. Artwork ranges from paintings by Janet RichardsonBaughman and sculpture by Joe Wheaton to tableware by Ellen Grenadier and hand-blown glass by Cal Breed. Just a few steps from Lauren Clark is the
Aston Magna Music Foundation, which produces the Aston Magna Music Festival. This month-long event, beginning June 18, is America’s oldest festival devoted to music performed with period instruments. Ever been? Make a plan to attend this year. The performers interpret music of the past for a contemporary audience and this year’s festival features Monteverdi’s Warring Lovers, Schubert’s Wind Power and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Enjoy the moment while journeying back in time through the music of another age—and take notes during the enlightening pre-concert talks by artistic director Daniel Stepner. One more calendar entry for you: the everpopular Berkshire Arts Festival, which runs July 3, 4 and 5. In its 14th year, this explosive summer tradition celebrates the arts with theater, dance, music and visual art. The festival
will be held at Ski Butternut, the winter ski resort on gorgeous Warner Mountain in Great Barrington. Rows of crisp white tents filled with art line the way to the stage where musical and theatrical performances will delight. Ceramicists offer demonstrations on the lawn and an airconditioned lodge provides comfort from the hot sun. If you’re looking for one art event to define the Berkshires, this is it. The Berkshires is one of those rare destinations that can be enjoyed during every season, adding a timeless quality to its character. It will have you going non-stop, from one cultural experience to the next, and then will allow you to rest and absorb what you’ve experienced. Must be the mountain air—invigorating, restorative and contemplative. Much like art. —Celina Colby
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