Teen Sculpture Garden at Natural Bridge State Park

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The public is invited to a special event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at Natural Bridge State Park to celebrate the opening of the Guardian Sculpture Garden.

This striking permanent installation, made up of nine cast concrete sculptures created by local teen artists, is the result of nearly four years of planning, collaboration, and hard work. The celebration will honor the project's artists and its many helpers and partners along the way.

The free event will include refreshments, live music, and the opportunity to meet the Guardians' young artists: Erica Varieur, Christopher Winslow, Jeffrey Filiault, Emily Jaramillo, Sean Carollo, Jordan Pagan, Erin Gerrity, and Anne Hyer.

"This project is exciting because it brings together three of our area's most valuable resources: art, nature, and young people," said Erica Schmitz, who organized the project as part of the UNITY youth program at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. "We hope that locals and visitors of all ages will enjoy the sculpture park. We also hope that this project will inspire more public works of art in our community."

The Guardian Project was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The project owes its completion to the generosity of the Department of Environmental Management, Delftree Corp., Grady and Jennings Concrete, Dean Grimes, and H.L. Chesbro Co., the faith and commitment of Deanna Todd at Natural Bridge State Park, and the dedication of professional artists Ron Hyde and Bill Botzow.

For more information, please contact Erica Schmitz at 413-663-7588.

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 

 

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 

 

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

 

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 

 

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

 

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

 

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.