by Shera Cohen
Just when friends ask me if I’m too old to jam pack so many
cultural activities into one day, I defy the odds. Thursday, July 20th was one
of those average days; the trip being Williamstown and neighboring North Adams.
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| Orchestrating Elegance |
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA
No museum in the U.S. (in my opinion) does grace and style
better than Clark. “Orchestrating Elegance: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and the
Marquand Music Room” is the personification of sophistication in wood, design,
textiles, sculpture, and drawings. The intricately designed Steinway piano is
its centerpiece. One can’t help but “ooh and aah.” To be fair to yourself,
don’t rush through, take at least 3-4 hours to appreciate all that there is to
offer. www.clarkart.edu
Williams College of Art, Williamstown, MA
On the campus of Williams College, this museum is open
year-round to the public. The range of art genres on exhibition is varied. On
this day, we saw numerous donations made by former students; some acquisitions
bearing the names of a who’s who in the art world. Admission is free. BTW, the
gift shop is one of the most all-inclusive in the Berkshires. https://wcma.williams.edu
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace, Adams, MA
Our docent is so enthusiastic in relating the story of Susan
B. that you would think that they met and were on a first name basis. One of
the first feminists, suffragette, abolitionist, and temperance member,
Anthony’s home and rural community is, to some degree, translated to tell
visitors of this woman’s background and what and why she pursued controversial
subject of her day. www.susanbanthonybirthplace.com
MassMoCA, North Adams, MA
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| Nick Cave |
Big is the word. The building. The art installations. The
ambition by staff, curators, and artists. In fact, an additional wing was added
this year to the existing building. I’m not particularly keen on “big” when art
is the subject. However, Nick Cave’s “Until” (leaving in September) is a
sparkling, whimsical forest of spinning colorful objects, and foil hanging from
ceiling to floor. Visitors walk along a path through this amazing maze. It’s hard
to leave. http://massmoca.org
