MCLA Adds Class to Summer Sessions Offerings: 'I Can’t Breathe'

08:04AM / Friday, April 16, 2021Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — As part of its first Summer Session from May 31-June 11, 2021, MCLA will offer an education course titled "I Can't Breathe:" Racial Capitalism at the Intersections of Race, Social Class, Space, and School,"(EDUC 364) taught by Dr. Lisa Arrastia, assistant professor of education.

The course will take place remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:20 p.m., and addresses Massachusetts Subject Matter Knowledge goals for history and social science, English language arts, and digital literacy and computer science for grades 5-12.

Course description

The guiding, interdisciplinary question of this course is, "Why can't Black bodies breathe in America?" The professor and students in this course will act as parallel learners who attempt to respond to this same question and, therefore, both will be "the student" in this unique and timely class that will use methods of history, aesthetics, and multimedia. The course will use as a case study the Derek Chauvin trial in the death of George Floyd to examine how the historical and contemporary landscape of American racial traumas are devised, composed, and constituted.

Learn more and register for summer classes at www.mcla.edu/summer.

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North Adams UNO Art Club Extends Into Year-Round Community Program

Staff Reports01:38PM / Tuesday, October 06, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown is expanding the summer program UNO Drop-In Art Club into a weekly, 50-week program for local youth ages 8 to 19, thanks to a new two-year grant from the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the club reopens its doors at the UNO Community Center (157 River St., North Adams) with extended hours every week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The UNO Art Club first took root in 2022, founded by local volunteers and supported by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition as a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore their creativity. In 2024, NBCC sought new partners to keep the program running and joined forces with the Clark and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

Over the past two summers, staff from all three organizations have guided kids through hands-on projects — from clay sculpture and origami to collage and self-portraiture — often inspired by ongoing exhibitions at the museums.

Now, with leadership from the Clark, this grant will allow the program to grow, not only with expanded hours and a year-round schedule, but also to support a paid intern to lead the weekly activities.

Additional benefits of the grant: The Clark will provide rides directly from the UNO Community Center so participants can attend major community events, including First Sundays Free and the annual Community Day. Youth will also take field trips to the Clark, Mass MoCA, and neighboring arts venues across the region.

Learn more about the program or get involved here or contact nbCC at 413-663-7588.

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