Creative 'Camp' Brings Diverse Ideas TogetherStaff reports
iBerkshires
11:39AM / Thursday, May 07, 2009
 More than 100 members of the creative community connected at Mass MoCA on Friday night.
  For more photos, click here. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In one corner they were singing songs, in another learning how to self-publish through online sources, in yet another, the ins and outs of using the county's own tender BerkShares.
It was all part of the first-ever BeCreative BarCamp held at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Helena Fruscio was hoping for a about 50 participants; she got more than 100.
Fruscio, director of operations for the Berkshire Creative Economy Council, said the gathering Friday night was based on BarCamps that are being held across the country to bring people together to share ideas. They're unique in that the participants are also the presenters.
Anyone who wanted was given a 10-minute spot to talk about just about anything — their own projects, their experiences, how-tos or just fun stuff. While Fruscio had a presentation ready, just in case the evening fell short, it wasn't needed. The slots (three presentations per 10-minute set) filled up quickly and the camp ended up going longer than planned.
"This is definitely a success," said Fruscio, who added another camp is sure to follow.
The presentations ran the gamut: Jeffrey Brace talked about the Berkshire Writers Room, Kevin Sprague on how to publish through Lulu and Blurb, Darrell English and Ralph Brill on their hopes for a World War II museum here, Bob O'Haver on hiring a Web designer, Doug Sweetser on theoretical physics and David Rooney on creative collaboration.
In between the presentations in the cavernous room that once held Sprague Electric's tantalum division, participants mingled over drinks and cheese and crackers. Fruscio kept things moving with a series of chimes to warn of the beginnings and endings of sessions.
By the end of the event, some 30 presentations had been made along with plenty of creative connections. |
