Teen Sculpture Garden at Natural Bridge State Park

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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.


Tags: art installation,   natural bridge,   NBCC,   teenagers,   

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North Adams Awarded Grant to Support First Responder Health, Wellness

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) to support the health and wellness of local first responders through advanced, preventative medical screenings.
 
The grant will allow the City to offer comprehensive cardiac-focused health screenings to all North Adams Police and Fire personnel. The program goes beyond a standard annual physical and is designed to provide early insight into cardiovascular health risks commonly faced by Public Safety professionals.
 
Screenings will include advanced lipid and biomarker testing, along with personalized health consultations, delivered in partnership with Sigma Tactical Wellness, a nationally recognized provider specializing in first responder wellness.
 
"We know that a troubling percentage of officers die within ten years of retirement," said Mark Bailey, Chief of Police. "My priority is ensuring that our officers are healthy during their careers and well beyond them. This grant allows us to focus on early detection and long-term wellness so our officers can look forward to — and fully enjoy — their retirement."
 
Chief Brent Lefebvre, Fire Chief, echoed the importance of the program.
 
"Firefighters face elevated cardiovascular risks throughout their careers. This grant gives our members the opportunity to better understand their health and take preventative steps — at no cost to them — which ultimately strengthens our Department and the community we serve."
 
Participation in the program is voluntary, and all health information collected will remain strictly confidential.
 
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