image description — 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

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
11:36AM / Friday, September 28, 2012Print Story | Email Story

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."

Tags: Arnold Print Works, Art About Town, DownStreet Art, murals,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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