The Clark to Screen Zurbarán and His Twelve Sons

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — On Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m., the Clark Art Institute screens Zurbarán and His Twelve Sons, the third presentation in its five-part Film and Art series, which runs through November.

The free showing is open to the public and takes place in the Clark’s auditorium. Screenwriter John Healey introduces the film. The documentary (2020, 72 minutes), directed by Arantxa Aguirre, explores the meaning of Jacob and His Twelve Sons, a series of thirteen canvases painted by Spanish Baroque artist Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664).

Traveling from the Meadows Museum, Dallas, Texas; to the Frick Collection, New York; and to the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the film follows these paintings, probably commissioned for a cathedral in the Americas, that disappeared for a century until they were acquired at an auction by the London merchant James Mendez. A few years later, in 1756, Bishop Richard Trevor of Durham made a significant gesture in support of English Jews when he obtained the paintings and hung them in his dining room at Auckland Castle, where they remain to this day.

The next film of the Film and Art series is Mur Murs, screening on Thursday, November 10, at 7:30 pm in the Clark’s auditorium.

The event is free and no registration is required. For more information, visit clarkart.edu/events.

 


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Mount Greylock School Committee Picks Interim Superintendent

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mount Greylock School Committee on Wednesday voted 7-0 to enter negotiations with the district's assistant superintendent to serve as interim superintendent after the abrupt announcement that Jason McCandless intends to leave the district at the end of the school year.
 
Assistant Superintendent Joseph Bergeron told the committee that he would be willing to serve in the capacity and, at the same time, welcomed the prospect of a new permanent superintendent joining the office — likely some time in 2025.
 
"The opportunity to serve the students, staff and the community is something that, as a duty, is something I feel I need to do," Bergeron told the panel. "Doing that to bridge the gap between right now and when this committee is able to hire a permanent superintendent is something I'm willing to do. I'll provide the stability and support and the push for areas where I know we can and should improve.
 
"I do want to say to any potential superintendent out there that I would love to work with you. I'd love to work with you on behalf of this whole district.
 
"So please come."
 
The committee authorized Chair Christina Conry to negotiate a deal with Bergeron to serve in an interim role and to figure out a transition plan to make the change from McCandless, who did not attend Wednesday's virtual meeting.
 
In his absence, most of the School Committee members took the opportunity to thank McCandless for his service and express their shock and disappointment that both he and Williamstown Elementary School Principal Cindy Sheehy announced their departures within four days of one another.
 
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