Yomarie Silva-O'Neal, an artist in residencen at Mass MoCA, sculpts in her studio. Press photo by Thomas J. Logan, courtesy of Assets 4 Artists

Arts

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s articles about the Arts, listed from newest to oldest. Topics include theater, music, dance, painting, sculpture, film, and writing. The Hill Country Observer talks with artists and makers in many media, in New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.

  • Issue:

    ‘A world of her own imagining’ — Grandma Moses meets Modernism

    Show reveals parallels between Modernists and Grandma Moses By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer BENNINGTON, Vt.   “The Quilting Bee” (1950) is among the works by Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma) Moses (1860-1961) in a new exhibit that explores how her techniques unconsciously paralleled those of leading Modernists of her era. (Image copyright 2017, Grandma Moses Properties Co., read more

    ‘A world of her own imagining’ — Grandma Moses meets Modernism
  • Issue:

    Hoosac tunnel, local history inspire artist at Mass MoCA

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    Railroad tunnel, local history inspire Mass MoCA installation for children By JOHN SEVENContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass.   Colorado artist Wes Sam-Bruce works on his new installation, “Cavernous: The Inner Life of Courage,” at Mass MoCA. The exhibit, opens June 17 at the museum’s KidSpace gallery, draws inspiration from the Hoosac Tunnel and other threads read more

    Hoosac tunnel, local history inspire artist at Mass MoCA
  • Issue:

    Exploring the ukulele’s deeper side

    Former journalist turns to song, recording and touring By JOHN SEVENContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass.   North Adams singer-songwriter Francesca Shanks will hit the road this month for performances across the Northeast and Midwest with Joe Aidonidis, her one-man backup band.George Bouret photo As the ukulele has become a popular performance instrument, it’s also contended read more

    Exploring the ukulele’s deeper side
  • Issue:

    In verse, Phillp B. Williams takes on tough themes

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    Debut poetry volume draws award for Bennington visiting professor By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer BENNINGTON, Vt.   The writer Phillip B. Williams, who is teaching at Bennington College this year, won a Whiting Award this spring for his first volume of poetry. Bound, it begins.Wasn’t night what lingered where sweat leftsalt, where breath touch-expired?“Bound” is the read more

    In verse, Phillp B. Williams takes on tough themes
  • Issue:

    Sculptures that won’t sit still

    Artist’s wooden figures mix puppetry, animation at Mass MoCA show By JOHN SEVENContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass.   Works by the artist Elizabeth King, whose half-scale wooden figures are known for their uncannily human movements, are featured in a new show, “Radical Small,” that opens March 4 at Mass MoCA. Courtesy photos/Elizabeth King With a read more

    Sculptures that won’t sit still
  • Issue:

    Research center set to reopen at the Clark

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    New gallery space features exhibit of early photography By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.   Graduate students and scholars-in-residence are already using the newly renovated Manton Research Center at the Clark Art Institute, but the center will have its grand reopening to the public on the weekend of Nov. 12-13, with exhibits, lectures and a read more

    Research center set to reopen at the Clark
  • Issue:

    Berkshire Theatre Group celebrates local creativity

    November festival gives stage to artists of the Berkshire By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer PITTSFIELD, Mass.   Members of Funk Box Dance Studio perform on the opening night of last year’s Made in the Berkshires Festival. The festival, which showcases local artists, is scheduled for Nov. 11-13 this year. Courtesy photo/Michelle McGrady After a summer cultural read more

    Berkshire Theatre Group celebrates local creativity
  • Issue:

    Nick Cave — A troubled heaven on earth

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    Artist’s massive wonderland at MoCA confronts themes of racism By JOHN SEVENContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass.   A detail from “Until,” Nick Cave’s upcoming installation at Mass MoCA, reveals an elaborate landscape built from kitschy items the artist collects on secondhand shopping sprees — items that sometimes raise troubling themes related to race. Douglas Mason read more

    Nick Cave — A troubled heaven on earth
  • Issue:

    Amid cool marble, a hotbed of creativity

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    Dorset estate finds new life as retreat for artists By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer DORSET, Vt.   The Marble House Project has transformed a massive old home in Dorset, Vt., into a retreat for visual artists, dancers, musicians, writers and other creative people. Eight artists at a time share three-week residencies at the property from May read more

    Amid cool marble, a hotbed of creativity
  • Issue:

    Finding color and light in the Green Mountains

    Modernist painter Milton Avery’s work in Vermont is focus of exhibit By TELLY HALKIASContributing Writer BENNINGTON, Vt.   Milton Avery’s “Blue Trees” (1945) became one of his best-known paintings and was among those inspired by his visits to southern Vermont in the 1930s and ‘40s. It is featured in a new exhibit at the Bennington read more

    Finding color and light in the Green Mountains