MCLA Gallery 51 ‘Goes Underground’

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will kick off “When Comics Went Underground,” an exhibition of original art from “underground comix,” a distinctive phenomenon of the late 1960s and ’70s counter-culture, next Thursday, Oct. 28. A total of 50 pieces will be on exhibit through Nov. 28.

Three of the artists who live in Western Massachusetts – Howard Cruse (Gay Comix, Wendel), Gary Hallgren (Air Pirates, National Lampoon) and Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press) – will be featured on a discussion panel on Oct. 28, from 5 to 6 p.m., along with artist and MCLA Professor of Art Gregory Scheckler.

The discussion will be moderated by writer John Seven. An opening reception will immediately follow, from 6 to 8 p.m. These events are free and open to the public.

Fueled by widespread anti-Vietnam War sentiments, gender politics, civil rights and free speech issues, along with recreational drug use, hundreds of underground comix sprang up, starting during the 1967 Summer of Love in San Francisco, then quickly spreading across America, Canada and Western Europe, according to MCLA Gallery Manager Ven Voisey.

Underground cartoonists revolutionalized the larger comics industry, Voisey said. He added that many of them continue to work in the graphic novel format, with some achieving wide acclaim.

“When Comics Went Underground” was co-curated by Cruse and Kitchen. The bulk of the art on display is on loan from Kitchen’s collection, augmented by art loaned by Cruse and Hallgren.

Other artists who will exhibit work include R. Crumb (Mr. Natural, Zap and, recently, Genesis) Art Spiegelman (Maus, Raw), Harvey Pekar (American Splendor), Trina Robbins (Wimmens Comix), Bill Griffith (Zippy), Kate Worley and Reed Waller (Omaha the Cat Dancer), Spain Rodriguez (Trashman, Che) and S. Clay Wilson (Checkered Demon).

Also on display will be drawings by Bob Armstrong, Joel Beck, Tim Boxell, Harry Buckinx, Don Glassford, Justin Green, Casserine Grenier, J. Michael Leonard, Jim Mitchell, Peter Poplaski, Steve Stiles and Skip Williamson.

Cruse’s newest “Wendel” collection is coming shortly from Rizzoli/Universe. Hallgren’s illustrations are a regular feature of the best-selling books by Dr. Mehmet Oz, including “You: The Owner’s Manual.” And his “The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen” recently was published by Dark Horse Books.

“When Comics Went Underground” will run through Nov. 28.

MCLA Gallery 51 is located at 51 Main St.and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 413-664-8718, or go to www.mcla.edu/Gallery51

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.