People gathered to celebrate the completion of the Marshall Street murals, which are based off of doll prints produced by the Arnold Print Works, which was located at the current Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art site from 1860 until 1942.
Community Celebrates Completion of Marshall Street Murals
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Community members, artists and Greylock Elementary pupils joined together during Thursday's DownStreet Art festivities to celebrate the completion of the Arnold Print Works murals on Marshall Street.
"I think if you look around tonight you'll realize we didn't do this, it was you, the community," said Phil Sellers, owner of River Hill Pottery, the chairman of North Adams Open Studios and head of Art About Town.
The project, which began in March, was completed by local artists, nine students from Greylock Elementary School's after-school CAMP (Community Art Mural Project) program led by teacher Christina King and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts student Stephanie Vanbramer. The paint and related supplies was funded through a school grant and Art About Town.
The project also linked the city's history into the artwork. The paintings were based off cut-and-stitch cloth dolls printed by Arnold Print Works, which was once located at the current Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art site from 1860 through 1942, a worldwide supplier of textiles and the leading employer of North Adams.
Greylock Elementary School pupils enlarged and then transferred the images onto the six columns, with three characters on each one. Local artists helped to prime, paint and coat the artwork with an anti-graffiti film.
At the celebration, Mayor Richard Alcombright was on hand to hand out certificates to the students involved with the project.
Sellers said he hopes to add more artwork under the Veterans Memorial Bridge, with intention to paint the columns on the other side.
Art About Town is an organization with goals to link artists and citizens to build community through art projects. According to its website, "Art About Town increases public awareness, participation, and appreciation of the unparalleled cultural energy and natural beauty of the city and the region."
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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.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
