Activities of all kinds--at all hours-include fireworks, bluegrass concert, family activities, hot air balloon launch, and opening for blockbuster exhibition Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile
Williamstown - The Clark will celebrate 50 years of art in nature by staying open for 50 straight hours, from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 3, through 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 5. The galleries will remain open around the clock free of charge, and an array of public programs for kids and adults with a range of interests will take place throughout the Clark's buildings and its grounds. Most programs and activities are free.
The festivities will begin with a champagne toast at 6 p.m. on Friday. The permanent collection galleries will be open, and continuous activities will include ten-minute gallery talks on the Clark's "50 Favorites," every hour on the half hour. Prizes will be awarded to visitors who attend the most "50 Favorites" talks. Prizes will include 2 nights at the elegant Boston Harbor Hotel including parking, and tickets to the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Throughout the 50 Hours guests may follow the Clark Treasure Trail to find 50 landmarks inside and out and register to win a ride in the hot air balloon on late Sunday afternoon.
On Friday at 8 p.m., the 50th Celebration Gala, under tents on the front lawn, will feature cocktails, a buffet dinner, and dancing to the music of the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Dress is black tie optional. Tickets are $200 per person ($150 for members). The gala ticket also includes admission to the after-hours party, "From the Empire to the Edge," from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The later party includes a preview of the exhibition Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile and dancing to a d.j. in the "New Epoch" party tent on the south lawn. Tickets for the after-hours party may be purchased separately for $35 ($25 for members). To order tickets, call 413-458-0524.
Jacques-Louis David will open to the public at midnight and remain open, free of charge, throughout the 50 Hours weekend. A gallery talk, "Open Your Eyes for David," will take place at midnight.
From 1 to 7 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, a free late-night film festival will showcase films that take place in museums, including The Thomas Crown Affair and How to Steal a Million. A detailed film schedule is online at www.clarkart.edu.
At 7 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday mornings, a sunrise continental breakfast will be available on Stone Hill, overlooking Williamstown. A bagged breakfast of delicious pastries, fruit, juices and coffee will be available ($8 for adults, $4 for children). Jacqueline Heisel of Frog Lotus Yoga will then lead an outdoor yoga class at 8 a.m. The natural beauty of Stone Hill is also the focus of a guided nature hike, "50 Things to Know on Stone Hill," at 10 a.m. Saturday. Hank Art of Williams College will lead the hike.
Family fun is the theme of Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an outdoor festival of art and activities that celebrates our collection for children. At 5 p.m., John Bryan of the Mountain Goat will test guests' orienteering skills at a family hike. An outdoor barbeque will be offered from 5:30 to 9 p.m. On the menu are hamburgers, chicken, and hot dogs plus a choice of salads and side dishes (dinners are $11 for adults, $6 for children; a la carte items available). At 7 p.m., the bluegrass group Northern Lights will perform a free concert on the South Lawn. Campsites will be available for families wishing to pitch a tent for the night on Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. Space for camping is limited; for more information or reservations, call 413-458-0661.
Fireworks will fill the sky over Stone Hill at 9 p.m. Saturday. The display, designed by Berkshire Fireworks, will be visible from all over the Clark's grounds. Following the fireworks, people will gather around the campfire to listen to ghost stories. If the stories keep the kids awake, they can head to the galleries for a pajama gallery talk at 11 p.m.
Because of the anticipated crowds for Saturday night festivities, free parking will be available at Mount Greylock Regional High School. A complimentary shuttle bus will transport guests from 5:30 to 11 p.m.
Those with more grown-up interests will enjoy jazz in the galleries from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Paul Arslanian, piano, Charlie Tokarz, saxophone, and Joe Fonda, bass, will perform. Nejaimes Wine Sellers will present a complimentary French wine and cheese tasting at 1 p.m. Saturday (proper ID required). At 2 p.m. Saturday, visitors will learn about the world-wide impact of the Clark's Research and Academic Program with a discussion with past and present Clark Fellows.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Clark Director Michael Conforti will give a public talk about the history of the Clark and the Clark family.
More outdoor activities will take place on Sunday morning, with a birding hike led by Leslie Reed-Evans of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation at 6 a.m. At 9 a.m. a 5K Fun Run will start at the lily pond and loop around Sabin Drive, South Street, Ide Road, Gale Road, and back to the Clark. Kids under 12 will run a one-mile loop. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in 50 and over, 49 and under, and 12 and under categories. Race registration will begin at 8 a.m. (registration forms available on-line).
Kids films (The Muppets Take Manhattan and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) will be screened at 7 and 8:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. At 11 a.m. Sunday, popular children's book author Eric Carle, perhaps best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, will read a story and speak in an interview with Mindy Hackner, children's librarian of the David and Joyce Milne Library, followed by a booksigning.
Also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, a chess game with life-size pieces will take place on the front lawn along with a brunch featuring a bagel bar and Bloody Marys ($9). Players wishing to take on the resident champ may call 413-458-0661 in advance.
From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., stroll the galleries to chamber music performed by Robert Phelps, classical guitar, and Glaine Saloio, flute.
At 2 p.m. Phillipe Bordes, guest curator of the Jacques-Louis David exhibition, will give an introductory lecture to the show. Following his talk, Bordes will sign copies of the catalogue, available for purchase in the Clark museum shop.
From 4 to 6 p.m., a community anniversary party will include birthday cake, lemonade, and music by the Steve Murray Group. During the party, we will draw the winners of the Treasure Trail contest and they will take to the skies in short hot air balloon rides above the Clark campus.
Finally, a 6:30 p.m. concert by the Berkshire Music School String Ensemble will bring the 50 Hours to a close at 8 p.m. Sunday
A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the 50 Hours. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and snacks to enjoy while at the Clark (food and beverages not allowed in the galleries).
A complete schedule of activities is available online at www.clarkart.edu. The Clark galleries, library, and offices will be closed on Monday, June 6, so the staff may recover.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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