MCLA Gallery 51 Introduces Senior Art Project

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) presents its 2024 senior art project showcasing the work of students Skylah Zayas, Hailey Rolon, and Matt Flanagan. 
 
"Synthesis: Sluts, Beasts, and Synths" is an inquiry into themes of love, imaginative beasts, and post-punk/industrial music, according to a press release.
 
The exhibition is open for viewing until May 11 at Gallery 51, located at 51 Main St. in North Adams.
 
Zayas' project explores themes of love and sexuality using reclaimed wooden pallets fashioned into a bed. The fabric upholstery and bedding incorporate quotes gathered from participants' relationship experiences.
 
"This sculpture/installation reflects emotion and experiences of modern hook-up culture from not only myself, but my peers," Zayas said. "My artwork strongly utilizes the opinions and voices in my surrounding community."
 
Rolon creates life-sized dream-like beasts using paper mâché, clay, and drawings. She sees her work as an extension of herself, expressing the physicality of her lived experiences.
 
Flanagan combines his interpretations of post-punk and industrial music with art historical inquiry. His work merges music and art through experimental compositions using metal scraps and found materials.
 
"We are all combining our external influences with our own ideas, in uncomfortable or shocking ways," he said. "The shock factor in my project is through my materials - rusty, sharp, and bizarre metal scraps."
 
Under the guidance of MCLA art professors and Gallery 51 staff, alongside guest artists, the students create professional statements, resumes, and other documents necessary for entering the art world. In addition to the exhibit, students will deliver artist talks at MCLA's Undergraduate Research Conference.
 
 

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Nor'easter Set to Drop Foot of Snow Over Berkshires

Update on the powerful Nor'easter set to drop up to a foot of snow over the region. This come right on the tail Friday's storm that dropped up to 6 inches in some areas. 
 
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has shifted the winter storm warning issued from Saturday a few hours later; it now begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday  but still runs through 7 p.m. on Monday for the Berkshires, eastern New York, Southern Vermont and northern Connecticut.
 
Heavy snow expected with total accumulations between 8 and 14 inches with some locally higher totals possible over the high peaks of the Catskills AND the Berkshires. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. 
 
The forecasted "bomb cyclone" is lining up to hit New York City with its first blizzard in a decade, but Western Mass will feel some of its effects.  
 
The Berkshires will see flurries during the day but the Nor'easter will make its entrance later in the evening, first in South County between 5 and 8 and then moving north.
 
Vermont schoolchildren will be starting their winter vacation Monday but Berkshire kids will be headed back to school. But they might be getting an extra vacation day — Greylock Snow Day still has an 80 percent probability for of delays, but upgraded the chance of a snow to 90 percent for South County and 75 percent for north. 
 
With the storm sweeping in by Sunday afternoon, we'll be on the lookout for any cancellations. This post will also be updated if new information becomes available. 
 
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