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Henry Klein is selling the 24 rolls of toilet tissue that make up his art installation to raise funds for the Berkshire Food Project.

Real Eyes Gallery to Sell Elements of 'TP' Art for Food Project

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Klein's 'Uber Waves' exhibit opened at Real Eyes Gallery March 7.
ADAMS, Mass. — Artist Henry Klein never considered the everyday material he used in one of his art pieces would be in such high demand almost immediately. 
 
Or that the wall of swooping rolls of tissue in the front window of Real Eyes Gallery would make passers-by stop in their tracks.
 
"I had no idea," Klein said in an exhibition talk the gallery live-streamed earlier this month. "I thought I was just being cute putting toilet paper on the wall."
 
The piece in the Park Street gallery comprises an entire 24-roll pack of toilet paper strung out to create waves. It is part of Klein's "Uber Waves: Other Locations" exhibit that opened March 7.
 
Gallery owner Bill Riley said the piece was installed before COVID-19 really hit. He said the coronavirus pandemic has changed how everybody lives their lives with social isolation and new hardships. 
 
That's inspired the artist and gallery owner to sell off the paper rolls to raise money for the Berkshire Food Project. 
 
"When it came out people were hoarding things and there was a shortage," Riley said in an interview Thursday. "Henry saw an opportunity to turn something that appeared decadent into a positive."   
 
Riley said the rapid changes have lead the gallery to do things it hadn't done before to reach people, such as live-streaming Klein talking about the his work.
 
"The coronavirus has changed our lives so now we are in a world where we are having to adapt and making this live video is something that we have never considered before," he said. "So it has pushed us at the same time so hopefully we can keep ourselves healthy and not be too heavily affected by the illness itself."
 
Klein said the piece really has a new meaning now that COVID-19 has effected so many lives.
 
"Now it speaks to preparedness," he said.
 
Riley agreed and said COVID-19 really changed the context of the piece. 
 
"For Henry it was very profound. Part of the original statement was that toilet paper was taken for granted and that it really wasn’t an art material," he said. "Almost saying you can make art out anything and all of a sudden the context changes. It becomes something of vital importance and it is not taken for granted anymore.
 
"It kind of increased the energy around the piece." 
 
Each roll costs $25 and they hope to be able to raise about $600 -- plus whatever else people are kind enough to kick in. Rolls can be ordered by contacting the gallery on Facebook or calling 1-917-440-2400.
 
Those who donate will receive a letter from the artist thanking them.
 
Klein has also asked that, if possible, the cardboard roll cores be returned to him so he can create another piece.

Tags: art exhibit,   fundraiser,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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