Javotte Ray, granddaughter of Sterling and Francine Clark, with the cake celebrating the 60th anniversary of the museum they founded.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Nearly one year after it completed a $145 million expansion and renovation, the Clark has the blessings of the Clarks.
Javotte Ray, the granddaughter of Sterling and Francine Clark, on Sunday visited the art museum they founded to help the Clark Art Institute celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Sixty years ago to the day, the Clarks welcomed the world to a white marble building on South Street that the couple built to house its private collection.
Six decades later, that white building is just as impressive and the paintings are just as memorable, but little else would be recognizable to Ray's grandparents.
On Sunday, she stood with Clark Director Michael Conforti on the Fernandez Terrace — one of many features added as part of the 15-year expansion of the Clark.
And she pronounced it good.
"She knew the Clark in its earliest years and she certainly knew her grandparents very well," Conforti told the crowd. "Do you think they would have wanted this to happen, Javotte?"
"I think they would have," the Swiss resident said. "I think they certainly must be looking at us and enjoying themselves.
"You see ... a museum is something to be seen by as many people as possible. Many people will be able to come to the museum and enjoy the pictures, enjoy everything.
"They certainly would be happy. This museum has been remarkably developed, and now it is known worldwide. I think my grandfather would be very happy about that."
Then Ray and Conforti cut a cake in honor of the 60th anniversary, and the crowd enjoyed the art — on view for free for the occasion — as entertainment was provided by two Williams College a cappella groups, the all-male Williams Octet and the all-female Ephoria.
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Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.
Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.
The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.
The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.
In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.
The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.
The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.
The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter. click for more
Developer David Traggorth asked the trustees to make the contribution from its coffers to help unlock an additional $5.4 million in state funds for the planned 54-unit apartment building at the south end of the Cable Mills site.
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The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
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Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more