Begun last summer, North Adams Regional Hospital’s Community Art Project proved to be a great success, so in its second phase more works by more artists hang in various places around the hospital.
The program has been expanded from 46 works loaned to the hospital from 13 local artists, to more than 80 works by 30 artists.
The works range from oils to watercolors to photographs and mixed media to prints and quilts. They were introduced at a reception at the hospital March 15.
Sally Sussman, an artist who lives in Williamstown and serves as curator of the project, said “There is artwork all over this building.
“This is a large, large building, and hanging artwork here has been a challenge and a real joy,†she said. “Somehow the pieces have just found their right place.â€
People who work in the hospital have favorite pieces: “Now, we’ve gotten to the point, dear artists, that people are requesting pieces ... they would like a piece of artwork to come to a certain area,†Sussman said.
“Every artist in the original hanging extended their loan to NARH, which is a tribute to them and fortunate to visitors to the hospital,†she said. “This project met a need for local artisans to display their work in public, and the hospital’s desire to complement the healing process with artwork.â€
NARH President John C.J. Cronin thanked the artists who had come to the reception for brightening the hospital environment.
“It can use that, and it does make a difference. We get a lot of comments about the work hanging throughout the hospital,†he said. “At least, I don’t get any that aren’t positive, so I think it’s very much appreciated by visitors, patients, families.
“And I think [it] has impacts that go beyond what maybe we all anticipated when we first started this project,†he added.
“The view has evolved from one that is focused entirely on ‘our mission is to take care of those who are sick’ to where today we talk about our mission to be one of improving the health of the people in the community,†Cronin said. “If we act on that, we engage in projects such as this one.â€
Improving health has far more to do with things we engage in than just the best physicians, technology, medication, and staff, he said.
“It also means that we have to address the elements in the environment around us that begin to contribute over time to the reason we need these facilities,†Cronin said. “So part of what we’re doing with this effort is to begin to affect our environment.â€
The Artist Resource Trust (A.R.T.) fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has helped cover some of the costs of the project, said Virgil Stucker, Northern Berkshire Health Systems’ vice-president for external relations.
The A.R.T. fund has announced a grant to purchase three works of art for Northern Berkshire Health Systems, the parent corporation of NARH. The works, all by artist Mary Natalizia of Williamstown, include Poppy, Morning Glory, and Multiples, all in mixed media. The pieces hang in NARH’s main lobby and near the emergency department.
Natalizia is a local visual artist who holds a master’s of art from the Rhode Island School of Design and a bachelor’s in fine arts from the University of Massachusetts. She also teaches art to students in the Pownal Elementary School.
Other local artists who may be interested in showing their work may contact Sussman at 458-4670. Works are rotated approximately twice a year.
The reception ended with several tours through the hospital to see the artwork.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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