Visitors Flock to Clark Family DayBy Melanie Rancourt
Special to iBerkshires
02:08PM / Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Photos by Melanie Rancourt
Eight-year-old Austin, in dark blue, works on a collage at the Clark. See more photos here.
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — As the rain fell ... again ... on Sunday, it didn't stop families traveling to the Clark Art Institute to participate in the many free childrens' activities at the museum's "Abstractions of Nature" family day and to gaze on its storied artworks.
The fun day coincided with the museum's "Dove/O'Keeffe: Circles of Influence" exhibit on American painter Georgia O'Keeffe that runs through Sept. 7.
O'Keeffe (1887-1986) is celebrated as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. She credited the work of Arthur Dove, (1880-1946), America's first abstract painter, for introducing her to modern art. They held great respect for each other's works and both harnessed deep connections to their natural surroundings, which were inspired by the colors, sights and sounds they experienced.
The gallery was full as visitors admired the pastel paintings and abstract drawings of the two artists that are on display.
Gale DellaRocco, an art student at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., traveled to the Clark with her parents to see the exhibit.
"The exhibit showed excellent contrast of both artists: the femininity of O'Keeffe and the masculinity of Dove," DellaRocco said. "In my opinion, the works of O'Keeffe were more emotional and flowing than that of Dove, making her the stronger of the two artists. Her attention to detail was amazing."
The creativity of children young and old was at work outside the museum despite the rain that started just after noon. Creating giant tissue-paper flowers, desert sand layering, drawing activities and nature collages — all inspired by O'Keeffe and Dove's works — were were available to children all day.
Lynn Davine, a resident of North Adams, came to family day with her 8-year-old grandson, Austin, who was busy making a nature collage of shells, twigs, mini pinecones, dried corn, beans and feathers on a wooden board.
"I thought this would be a fun, interesting learning experience for him," Davine said.
"My favorite activities so far today have been doing sand art, making my collage and petting the snake," explained Austin.
Scott Jervis of the Berkshire Museum brought with him some desert creatures that were on display for families to see. Among his companions was a 60-year-old tortoise named Chuck, a cockroach, a millipede, a tarantula, a rosy boa and a skink.
Jeff and Marlena Kross traveled with their family from Troy, N.Y., to spend the day at the Clark after reading about it on the Internet. Their son Owen, 3, was fascinated with Chuck and watched him walk around his enclosure.
"I am very surprised and pleased at the wide range of activities offered to children here today," said Marlena Kross, who attended the event with her brother and his family. "We have children here from age 2 through 10 and they all seen to be having a great time. I think it is great that the Clark sponsors events of this nature."
Event organizer Ronna Ostheimer, member of the education department at the Clark, expressed her disappointment in the weather but felt that the event was an overall success.
"Our crowds are down this year due to the rain," she said. "However, for the people that are here it's nice because there is easier access to all the free activities being offered."
Forty volunteers help organize, set up and work the event and the pride they have is remarkable. "My volunteers really helped bolster my spirits on this wet day," Ostheimer said.
Entertainment was offered throughout the day. Red Bear Productions dancers performed American Indian dances from the Southwest and encouraged children to dance with them. There was also Circles of Influence hula hooping, roving ribbon dancers from the Berkshire Dance Theatre, and "Abstractions of Nature" modern dance performances by the Lisa Leizman Dance Theatre.
The Clark also wanted to thank Esteva Cafe, Coyote Flaco, Boston Sea Foods, Hot Tomatoes, Spice Root, Helen's Place, Lickety Split and Where’d You Get That for offering food and fun for its family day. |
