Berkshire Profile: Danny O

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Artist Danny O [Photo by Jennifer Mardus]
Welcome to Berkshire Profile, an iberkshires weekly feature appearing on Sunday. Each week, iberkshires will highlight a Berkshires resident or entity making a contribution to the Berkshires way of life. North Adams - He wasn't always known as "Danny O," but city resident Daniel O'Connor has said that he knew from about the age of seven that art would rule his life. Living The Dream And 36 years later, the Lexington, Mass. native is living the dreams of his youth. During an Aug. 16 interview, the artist known for clever, colorful collage and a unique, fun, tape-and-ink technique, sat inside a downtown studio and designed a holiday card that featured both his unique art style and the historic Mohawk Theater movie marquee. His focus on the project appeared intense; neither the interview, a ringing telephone, nor the sounds of a CD [The Books "Lost and Safe,"] interfered with his ability to create. O came to the area after meeting Northern Berkshires businessman Osmin Alvarez. Alvarez was, and is, a passionate advocate of O's work, and he and O have entered a licensing endeavor that promotes O's art via posters, lithographs, prints, scrapbook items, holiday cards, and more. The business arrangement is working, O said. "What we started is deeply rooted in what my life path is all about," he said. First Steps Along A Life Path Danny O's life path began as the the third child and first son of Tom and Mary Devoe O'Connor. His talents may be a combination of "born with it" and "grew up with it;" his family tree includes a talented amateur photographer and a commercial illustrator, and his parents were creatively inclined, O said. "My mother made our clothes and she made Christmas ornaments," O said. "She always made home-cooked meals. My father was a tireless worker. He would go to dumps and bring things home and refinish them. My mom was always creating from nothing and my father was always recreating." The concept of creating something with one's hands, eyes, and imagination gripped O before he reached eight years old. "From second grade on, I knew art was my only thing." One of seven children, youngster Daniel O'Connor attended the Fiske Elementary School and then the Diamond Junior High School. He graduated from Lexington High School as a member of the Class of 1981. His high school years were likely not the proverbial "best years" of his life. "That's How I Wrote My Future" O's older sister Margie was diagnosed with cancer at age 17 and she died before her 20th birthday. O's "education" was rooted in life's uncertainties and his refuge was the high school art room. "My parents attention was, understandably, devoted to my sister for about 18 months," he said."The rest of the kids kind of went their own way...we became kind of restless. When my sister was sick, I went to school every single day but I rarely went to a classroom. I went to the art room." An understanding collection of teachers and school administrators allowed O'Connor to hold his place -and his peace- amid the jars of paint, the collections of brushes and the atmosphere of creativity. "That was sort of my escape, and that's how I wrote my future, right there." His name was among those frequently announced throughout high school graduation events. "I got all the art awards," he said. "I just didn't get into college, which was no surprise because I hadn't put any attention to that." Creative Flow He did, however, get into the U.S. Navy and worked as a Navy photographer and artist. And subsequently, O became an art student at Boston University and Cooper Union. His creative juices have flowed along many artistic rivers; original t-shirts became sought-after items in Virginia during the 1980s, and he worked for a time as a Boston-based fine artist and illustrator. O is a bona fide record-holder; his collection of 22,000 found balls is included in the Guinness Book of World records and was a Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit. But O's creativity washes over him and his work in waves when the medium is collage or the ink-and-tape process. The former has generated work for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Chesterwood Museum, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Records, and a growing number of private collectors. The latter has secured attention for O as well. In 2005, the 3M Company signed O as a spokesperson for the company's Scotch tape product during the 75th anniversary celebration of the tape. The city also chose O to design the program cover for the Fall Foliage Parade's 2005 "Golden Jubilee." A fall 2006 issue of Paper Creations magazine includes an article about O, and his Internet web site promotes a host of O-created art work. "I've Never Felt Unwelcome" It's the kind of success that sometimes leads people to bigger cities and broader venues, but O has planted new roots at a Massachusetts Avenue home that boasts two tree-house studios and spectacular views. O remains dedicated to his business partner and friend Alvarez. "He's made a huge commitment in believing in me." And O has made a huge commitment to the Northern Berkshires. "I love my home and the area is gorgeous," he said. "When I realized that this [the city] was my home, that's when I invested [in a house]. And the longer I stay, the more I appreciate it. I think the only thing that I see different [from what exists] is to have a dairy-barn size studio on my property.I've been here for five years, and I've never felt unwelcome. I like the pace here." Coming Home As the interview progressed, O worked on the holiday card design and as the talk wound down, the card was finished. Colorful and unique, much like the city and O himself, the card captured the personality of the marquee and a downtown holiday spirit. "My work really excels here," he said. "I don't have the distractions." O's family members travel to the city for visits, and O makes the trip to the eastern part of the state for visits and professional matters. Coming home is an anticipated part of most trips. "When I come from Boston to here on Route 2, I'm always glad to be headed west," O said. "it's so peaceful. I really like when I hit the Hairpin Turn, where you look over into the valley and into the city where you live. It's pretty, it's idyllic, you know?" Additional information about Danny O may be acquired at a www.DannyOArt.com Internet web site or at 106 Main St., North Adams. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or 802-823-9367.
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Weekend Outlook: Mother's Day & More

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this weekend including fishing, plays, and more.

Editor's Pick

Wild Acres Fishing Derby
Wild Acres, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 8 to noon

This free fishing derby is for youth 14 and older. Catch the biggest fish to get a reward. The first 100 children will receive a free food voucher. 

More information here.

Daffodil & Tulip Festival
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
Time: Through Sunday
 
Final weekend to walk the grounds of Naumkeag and see the thousands of flowering bulbs. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold on-site. 
 
More information and ticket purchase here. 

Multiple Days

'Big Fish'
Taconic High School, Pittsfield
May 8, 9, 14, 15,16. Times vary at 2 and 7 p.m.

The Taconic Theater department stages "Big Fish," a musical about son who goes on an adventure to find the truth about his father's wild and unbelievable stories.

More information and tickets here.

'The Prom Musical'
Berkshire Community College
Showings Friday through Sunday

A small-town prom is getting too much attention when a student wants to bring her girlfriend as a date. A troupe of Broadway stars arrive in the conservative community out on a mission to help in this musical comedy.

More information and tickets here.

Baby Animals
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Time: 11 to 4, through May 10

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. See lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kids and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village, from daily talks about the farm and the Shakers to craft demonstrations to walks along the Farm & Forest Trail.

Admission is $8 to $20, free for children 12 and younger. More information here.

Friday

Night of Dreams Fundraising Gala: Berkshire Dream Center
Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

This annual gala is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit Berkshire Dream Center. Enjoy dinner, music, a silent auction, and more. 

More information and tickets here.

Dead Man's Waltz
Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy classic songs from bands like The Grateful Dead with a full bar. Bring your partner and dance and sing the night away.

More information and tickets here.

Friday Karaoke
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 p.m.

More information here.

Karaoke Night
Methuselah Bar & Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 9 to midnight

Bring your friends and sing your favorite songs.

More information here.

Saturday 

Mass Kids Lit Fest 
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 10:30 a.m.

Children's author Carol Munro will do a "Springtime Storks" storytime, based on a true story of resilience and love between two migrating birds. Children will have the chance to create their own stork hand puppets and learn more about storks.

More information here.

'Williamstown in 1776'
Williamstown Historical Museum
Time: 11 a.m.
 
Local historian and Historical Commission Chair Dustin Griffin will speak on the politics and leaders of Williamstown at the start of the Revolution. The museum is at 32 New Ashford Road. 
 
More information here. 

Berkshire Carousel Opening Day
Berkshire Carousel, Pittsfield
Time: noon to 5 p.m.

The carousel on Center Street opens for the season with face painting and other activities.

More information here.

Mountain Mindfulness Yoga
Mount Greylock Visitor Center
Time: 1 to 2:15 p.m.

This free yoga class is open to all levels. Enjoy the mountain views and connect with nature.
More information here.

Rusted Chains
Zinky's Pub, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.

Rusted Chains performs a tribute to the '90s.

More information here.

Sunday

50th Annual Mother's Day Women's 5K/Mile Walk
Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield
Time: 8 a.m.

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