Letter: Unresolved Community Conflict

To the Editor:

I am writing with the intent to clarify a large misconception that arose after the iBerkshires story related to the Public Arts Commission and the Marshall Street Arnold Printworks Project of 2012 and 2013.

On Feb. 11, I attended the PAC meeting at City Hall as the only resident in the gallery. After much review and deliberation, I was asked where "the artists stood." I informed the Commission that I was representing both William Oberst and myself along with the 500 local residents who have signed the petition for a test area. I then stated that our goal remains to have the commission hear and rule on the application filed in late November of 2018 to test a small area to determine whether the anti-graffiti paint is still viable for restoration.

It was then discussed that no conversation has been held (still) by the immediate players; Mayor Bernard, Joe Thompson, William Oberst and myself. At that point, Vice Chair Kerns suggested that he broker the meeting — to which I agreed. My attendance at the PAC meeting was to keep the application process for restoration moving forward. With multiple changes in the members of the PAC since November (when the application was submitted) I have not received a response nor has a vote come before the commission. The prospect of a meeting with the Mayor, the Director of MoCA and the two artists was the most concrete logical step.

Only one part of a 20-minute long conversation was shared in this article, to allow for the appearance of "new news." The element of an alternate space is not on the table as the article attempted to highlight. The only discussion that still sits in front of the Public Arts Commission, is will they represent the Public? Will they vote to support the residents who have clearly stated their desire for restoration? What happens after a vote, remains to be seen.

It is extremely unfortunate that we await resolution to a community project turned community conflict after almost two years. To the residents and students of North Adams and all those who participated in creating the Arnold Print Works mural, we continue to hold on to what is just and have not succumbed to the powers that be.
 

Christina King
King is an art teacher at Greylock School in North Adams who was involved with the pillar art project. 

North Adams School Committee Applauds Award Winner, Hears Budget

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
02:42PM / Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Superintendent Timothy Callahan presents his first Superintendent's Award to Brayden Canales. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee on Tuesday voted to send a recommending fiscal 2027 budget to a public hearing and congratulated the newest recipient of the Superintendent's Award. 

 

Drury High School senior Brayden Canales is graduating at the top of his class with 33 college credits and a grade-point average of 4.3.

 

"In addition to his impressive list of college courses, he has rounded out his transcript with several Advanced Placement and project based learning courses," said Superintendent Timothy Callahan, adding, "I had the honor to be Brayden's principal when he began a Drury."

 

Canales is a member of both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies and received the Principal's Award for having the top five average in his class all four years and the Rensselaer (N.Y.) Institute of Technology award for science and math as a junior outside of the classroom.

 

He's also been a member of the soccer, hockey and baseball teams and this year was presented the Berkshire County Ice Hockey Officials Association's Sportsmanship Award for his leadership. Canales has also been a peer mediator, student ambassador, among other activities.  

 

He plans to pursue a major in architecture but has not yet selected a college. 

 

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence is awarded to students who have achieved not only academically but in leadership and community service.