Open Studios Draws a Crowd

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Krishan Rai, 3, plays the xylophone at the Eclipse Mills during the weekend's Open Studios.
View Slide Show
NORTH ADAMS - Attracted by a citywide arts showcase, nearly a thousand people swarmed the downtown this weekend. With everything from painting and photography to jewelry and crafts, the 2nd annual North Adams Open Studios drew visitors from all across New England. Chairwoman Sharon Carson attributed some of the success of the weekend to a small preview that appeared in The Boston Globe, though she did say many of the patrons of Open Studios were Northern Berkshire natives. "People are curious because they know [the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts] is here and they know that we have a growing artist community but they haven't had a chance to see it. They don't see the big numbers," Carson said. Along with her husband, Edward, Carson opened up her Eclipse Mill loft to hundreds of visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Both painters, Ed and Sharon said many people were surprised by the sheer amount of artwork on display. "A number of people have commented on just how much art there is. They didn’t know how much was going on here," said Ed Carson. Approximately 85 artists set up shop in storefronts along Main and Eagle streets and at Western Gateway Heritage State Park while artists at the Eclipse Mill, the Beaver Mill and the Windsor Mill opened up their studios to the public. An event to help support the burgeoning creative economy in the Berkshires, Open Studios is an opportunity to show off the best art in the city. "What really speaks to me is the fact that there's all this art and it's all from North Adams. These are your friends and your neighbors and it's an opportunity to see what they're creating," said Veronica Bosley, the program coordinator for the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center. With free rides provided by the historic trolley and a pass to Mass MoCA as part of the festivities, the event attracted families and individual art lovers alike. "People come for all different kinds of reasons," said movement instructor Mieke Kohl. "We've got so much to offer." Though most of the art on display was for sale, the catalyst for Open Studios wasn't money but bringing together artists in one place to display their work. "I just love how beautiful everything is," said Jacquie Bollens of Belmont, as she bought a vest from felt-maker Jane Herman in her Eclipse Mill studio. Shane and Jennifer Dullay, who traveled from New York, said the cool autumn weather made the event worthwhile even for the non-artist. "We’re just enjoying just being outside and getting a chance to see all of the art," said Jennifer Dullay. "It's perfect weather in the Berkshires." Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Sanford, Maine, Edges SteepleCats in Season Opener

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The SteepleCats Sunday started their 2026 season the way they ended their 2025 campaign: with a narrow loss to the Sanford Mainers.
 
Sanford, which won a best-of-three playoff series against North Adams last August, scored four runs on 14 hits to earn a 4-2 win at Joe Wolfe Field.
 
The Mainers broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run rally in the third inning, and four Sanford pitchers combined to collect 11 strikeouts as the visitors improved to 2-1 this summer.
 
North Adams, which saw its planned road opener rained out on Saturday, got to open the season in front of its home fans.
 
And those fans saw a strong performance from the North Adams pitching staff, which, despite allowing 14 hits, including five doubles, gave up just three earned runs.
 
“I like the grit,” SteepleCats coach Mike Gladu said of his team’s Game 1 performance. “I thought the pitchers performed pretty well. We had a couple of situations where we definitely should have gotten some runs in and didn’t get that hit.
 
“And there were a couple of plays with a little rust. Certainly, the ball that was hit over [Evan] Meier’s in left field, he just mistracked that one. And the extra run they scored in the eighth, the kid wasn’t going to go [from third on a fly ball], we made a throw and nobody could stop it.
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Business
image description

Cole Mountain Cafe Brings Farm to Table

Business
Sports
image description

Lenox Edges Hoosac Valley to Reach State Semi-Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Durant Leads Drury Back to Final Four

Sports
Community News
image description

Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

Community News
Schools
image description

Drury High's School Class of 2026 Ready to Build the Future

Schools
Sports
image description

Wahconah's Iovieno Earns Statewide Honor

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?