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Arts Afire On Main StreetBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, July 29, 2005
 | | CAC acting Director Heather "Hezzie" Phillips staffed "Gallery 51" on Thursday afternoon. |
North Adams – Art is blazing a trail from one end of the city’s Main Street to the other, and public response is promising, according to artists and owners who were at two downtown art galleries and a new stained-glass studio/gallery shop on July 28.
Gallery 51
Artist Ben Voisey and Contemporary Artists Center acting Director Heather “Hezzie†Phillips were inside the recently-opened “Gallery 51†at 51 Main St. during the early afternoon.
The site is attracting attention, said Voisey and Phillips.
“People are happy to see local artists presented in such a professional way,†said Phillips.
Artist Ben Voisey and a "Gallery 51" exhibit |
“The people who come in here seem to appreciate the art,†said Voisey.
The gallery launch was funded entirely by local contributions and is a collaboration between business and community leaders, the City of North Adams, and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The work of eight local artists is displayed throughout the space along cream-colored walls and soft overhead lights illuminate most pieces.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed.-Sun., and the site has drawn consistent traffic since it opened, Phillips said.
Suncatcher Glass
Just a few steps away, at 63 Main St., is “Suncatcher Glass,†a 
The work of Deborah Coombs at "Gallery 51" |
stained-glass studio, gallery, and gift shop operated by Anna Kronick. Kronick offers stained glass instruction and also sells stained-glass supplies and artwork including paintings by Ivan Kronick and paper-cuts by Anna Kronick. Classes have been underway for about three weeks and the shop’s first sale of a stained-glass item was a butterfly created by Karine Solomon, a student of Anna Kronick.
Solomon said that she paints and enjoys other artistic pursuits. Add teaching to her repertoire; the 16-year-old city resident was delivering glass-cutting lessons to her mother Tammy Solomon.
“This is very interesting and I’m liking it,†said Tammy Solomon. “We’re spending quality time together. Karine has always been very creative.â€
And with the opening of Kronick’s studio, Karine has a place to develop her talent.
Future plans include expansion of the site, Kronick said.
“Eventually, we hope to have an arts center for traditional art that is not considered mainstream art,†she said, referring to the stained glass and paper-cut work.
“These are things that have been traditionally done but are not taught very often,†Kronick said.
Tammy Solomon learns glass-cutting at "Suncatcher Glass" |
There is significant local interest in the arts, Kronick said, and noted that although she has done little as of yet to advertise the shop, people have visited and called for information about the classes.
Information about “Suncatcher Glass†is available by calling 413-663-6560.
Terrence Tiernan
Terrence Tiernan shows his work as well as that of his wife Doreen Jones Tiernan and sons Matthew and Jay Tiernan at 107 Main St.. Tiernan also operates “Studio 142†from his Mechanicville/southern Saratoga Springs region home in New York.
Tiernan decided to open a gallery earlier this year and chose a city site after considering properties in Pittsfield, Williamstown, and Bennington, Vt., he said.
His gallery is seeing traffic, Tiernan said, and reactions to the art usually surround a number of large, colorful paintings.
“I know the art isn’t easily absorbed by people on the street but it has been interesting to hear the reactions,†Tiernan said. “People talk about all the color and the children just love it.â€
The region’s natural beauty has consistently served as a visitor lure; an arts focus enhances the Northern Berkshires traveler experience, Tiernan said.
“The Berkshires has long been a tourist attraction for one thing or another,†Tiernan said. “But there is so much renewed energy and attention right now. The self-evident thing is MASS MoCA [Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art]. There’s a leadership that recognizes the arts as a significant quality of life element and understands that [the arts] lead to industry and commercial development.â€
Tiernan said that he has visited the city in the past and has 
This painting is displayed at the 107 Main St. gallery of Terrence Tiernan. |
witnessed a dramatic, positive difference over the past six years. City Mayor John Barrett III is at the forefront of the changes, Tiernan said.
The gallery is open Wed., Fri., and Sat. from noon to 5 p.m., Thurs. from noon to 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sun..
More Art Offerings
Around the corner on Eagle Street, “Crafty Creations,†“Widgitz Contemporary Folk Art†and a small gallery featuring the work of artist Eric Rudd bring a variety of art to the historic street. Dramatic arts are the focus of the Main Street Stage at 57 Main St.. Readings and art exhibits occur regularly at Papyri Books, 49 Main Street. Youth groups such as the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition’s “Grooove†and UNITY initiatives offer live music performances and readings of original prose and poetry on a regular basis.
“Gallery 51†and Tiernan’s gallery opened as seasonal sites, but Phillips and Tiernan expressed desire to extend and expand the operations of the two galleries. “Gallery 51†space was donated for a specific time period by Scarafoni Realty as part of the community collaboration; Tiernan rents gallery space from Scarafoni Realty.
Tiernan said the 107 Main St. gallery is expected to close in about two months but added that he has toyed with the idea of remaining open for a longer duration. Caveats include the costs associated with gallery operations.
But all those interviewed agreed that MoCA has brought a national arts focus that is spilling into the downtown.
“None of this [galleries and shops] would be here without MoCA,†Tiernan said. “This takes leadership and Mayor Barrett is certainly included in that.â€
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net or at 802-823-9367.
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