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 mad world of illustration

    Exhibit celebrates the images and humor of MAD magazine George Washington morphed into Alfred E. Neuman in a cover illustration Norman Mingo (1896-1980) created for MAD magazine in 1976 as the U.S. bicentennial neared. James Halperin collection, courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. An irreverent icon of publishing is… read more

    A mad world of illustration
  • Issue:

    Intimate spaces, innovative shows — Region’s small theaters blaze a path through post-pandemic upheaval

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    Region’s small theaters blaze a path through post-pandemic upheaval Courtesy of Adams Theater   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer ANCRAM, N.Y. “And there are drums on the mountain …”On a July night, Martha Redbone will come to the banks of the Sankhenak river to compose music drawn up from her own folk, blues, gospel and Native… read more

    Intimate spaces, innovative shows — Region’s small theaters blaze a path through post-pandemic upheaval
  • Issue:

    Strong, powerful, feminine — Shanta Lee’s ‘Dark Goddess’ photography explores divine, worldly realms

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    Photographer’s ‘Dark Goddess’ show explores divine, worldly realms   Alyse Grange and Kahywanda Wilson worked with photographer Shanta Lee to create “Obeah’d,” one of a series of Lee’s photos in the exhibit “Dark Goddess: Sacroprofanity” at the Bennington Museum.Courtesy of Shanta Lee   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer BENNINGTON, Vt. Two women are sitting together on… read more

    Strong, powerful, feminine — Shanta Lee’s ‘Dark Goddess’ photography explores divine, worldly realms
  • Issue:

    The museum that transformed a city — Mass MoCA turns 25

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    Mass MoCA, now 25, gave rise to North Adams’ new creative economy   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass. When Tom Bernard worked at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art 20 years ago, he wore his grandmother’s badge from Sprague Electric Co. clipped to his own. She worked in Sprague’s sprawling mill complex in… read more

    The museum that transformed a city — Mass MoCA turns 25
  • Issue:

    A modernist sanctuary in the Berkshires

    Artists’ historic home displays their love of 20th century styles   Executive Director Kinney Freylinghuysen stands on the spiral staircase inside the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio in Lenox, Mass. The museum was the home of the 20th century artists and collectors George L.K. Morris and Suzy Freylinghausen, who helped introduce America to Modernism. Susan… read more

    A modernist sanctuary in the Berkshires
  • Issue:

    In defense of books

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    Some in region push back against banning efforts in schools and libraries   Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman reads to an audience at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, one of a series of stops he made around the state in recent months as part of his Banned Book Tour. Courtesy photo   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer… read more

    In defense of books
  • Issue:

    Bringing poetry to Poultney

    Author, arts center celebrate with community reading, downtown displays   Local author David Mook stands in front of the Stone Valley Arts building, the site of a community “favorite poem” reading April 21 in Poultney, Vt. A companion event, Poultney Poetry Downtown, will display poems in the windows of local businesses in celebration of National… read more

    Bringing poetry to Poultney
  • Issue:

    From oppression to liberation — Black artists uplift emancipation at WCMA

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    New show at Williams museum explores the journey of Black Americans     John Quincy Adams Ward’s 1863 bronze sculpture “The Freedman,” left, helped to inspire an exhibition by seven contemporary Black artists exploring the meaning of emancipation in the 21st century. Hugh Hayden’s 3-D printed “American Dream,” right, offers a direct answer to Ward’s… read more

    From oppression to liberation — Black artists uplift emancipation at WCMA
  • Issue:

    A giant of American theater — MCLA celebrates Irene Fornes

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    College helps to celebrate the work of Irene Fornes By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass.   The wildness comes from despair?… Sometimes it comes because something has changed inside. A light has gone out, … something that makes us feel joy, feel compassion, feel for others.   A group of friends are keeping a… read more

    A giant of American theater — MCLA celebrates Irene Fornes
  • Issue:

    Artists at Mass MoCA find refuge in magic

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    In new MoCA show, artists summon the power of talismans, rituals   In Gelare Khoshgozaran’s “U.S. Customs Demands to Know,” packages from the artist’s parents in Tehran become illuminated lanterns. The work is part of the new “Like Magic” show at Mass MoCA. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art   By KATE ABBOTTContributing… read more

    Artists at Mass MoCA find refuge in magic