MCLA Art Exhibition: 'Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative'

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' (MCLA) Gallery 51 will host "Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative," featuring artwork from students in the Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, with an in-person opening reception at the gallery from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022.  
 
This event free and is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.  
 
This exhibition will feature three graduating senior artists: Kennedy Sobon, Nhi Lam, and Ana Sheehy, all from the Class of 2022, as well as the work from from the 2020 and 2021 classes.  
 
According to a press release, the artists explore how art can re-tell and re-shape common narratives. From mental illness to fairytales and culture, this exhibition shows how artists use their mediums to explore the different facets of storytelling by telling their own personal stories or the stories from their cultures.  
 
About the Artists 
 
Kennedy Sobon '22 is an artist who uses fashion as a vehicle to explore her relationship with mental illness and self-love. She states that "my artwork is an extension of myself. It gives meaning to what my words cannot." 
 
Nhi Lam '22 works primarily in digital art, and through her large poster illustrations she explores her Vietnamese culture and the experiences that come from growing up with both American and Vietnamese influences.  
 
Ana Sheehy '22 uses an array of traditional mediums. Through the image of the unicorn, they explore how different mediums affect the ways that we experience art, stating that "every medium has its own baggage that comes from the social biases we impose on it, and we cannot look at a piece of art without acknowledging that social baggage."   
 
This exhibition will also serve as a celebration of returning to in-person exhibitions. 
 
"The past two years have really taken a toll on our art students. It's hard to make art in a remote situation! As a result, the class of '22 will be inviting alumni from the past two years to join the show to re-exhibit their student artwork, or some of their most recent endeavors," said Professor of Art Melanie Mowinski, advisor to art students, along with Professor of Art Greg Scheckler.   
 
For additional information on "Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative" contact (413) 662-5324 or go to https://www.mcla.edu/mcla-in-the-community/bcrc/mcla-gallery-51/index.php

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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
 
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
 
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
 
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 
 
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
 
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
 
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC. 
 
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