Adams Incubator to Host Artist Meetup on July 10

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Incubator will host an artist meet-up from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, allowing local artists to come together to talk and network. 

The event is being organized jointly by Adams Theater, Common Folk Artist Collective, the Rapoza Center for the Arts and the Adams Arts Advisory Board. Robin Rapoza, executive director of the Rapoza Center, said the event should provide an informal space for local artists to get to know each other. 
 
"We wanted a more social event for people. Especially since the pandemic, not a lot of people have been out," Rapoza said. 
 
The gathering is open to artists of all mediums and styles. Katherine Haig, the Adams liaison for Common Folk, said she encourages non-traditional artists to stop by the event.  
 
"There are a lot of artists who don't necessarily think of themselves as artists," she said. 
 
The group plans to host several meet-ups at the Incubator during the summer. Rapoza said this is the second artist meetup they have attempted, after nearly 30 people came to last month's event. 
 
"It was more than we expected. That was great to see," Rapoza said. "We keep it casual, and it's a good chance to network. And there's a lot of new people who've moved here in the last few years."
 
Haig said she hopes for more events and activities in downtown Adams. She said events like the artist meetup could help draw people to the area. 
 
"I've been [with Common Folk] seven years, so I'm trying to bring some of that energy here ... I'd love to see more down-street events, like the Adams Street Fair, but also down in North Adams, there's First Fridays. I'd like to see that happen here, too." 
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Aisling Mountain Farm Owners Say Town Scrutiny Has Damaged Business

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Christian Rowe with Sofie, one of its therapy horses. One of its herd had to be sold off because the farm had to pull back on therapy services. 
ADAMS, Mass. — What began as a dispute between neighboring property owners has escalated into a prolonged conflict spanning multiple town boards and departments, leading Aisling Mountain Farm's operators to question whether some officials have overstepped their authority.
 
Farm owner Kathryn Foley purchased the 22-acre property at 185 West Road in 2019 to establish an equestrian facility at the base of Mount Greylock. The farm offers horse boarding and leasing services and, until recently, also provided riding lessons and equine therapy.
 
For several years, Foley and her boyfriend, Christian Rowe, who serves as the farm's estate manager, say they have faced a pattern of harassment, false reporting, and alleged misuse of authority by certain municipal employees. 
 
These actions have been compounded by a separate dispute with the company that constructed the riding arena over unforeseen permitting requirements, which have interfered with the farm's ability to provide some of its services, resulting in the closure of its animal-assisted psychotherapy services and riding lessons. 
 
"I have done everything to try to work quietly with the town, with the company … I am not about causing drama … My whole profession is helping people, and that's all I want to do, and I want to do things right, and I want to do my job the right way for people because that's what they deserve," Foley said. 
 
"It breaks my heart that nobody's getting their services, and the last thing I want to do is create a bunch of extra drama around this."
 
The farm had to sell one of its horses, May, who was frequently used in therapy. Its remaining horses include Guinness, Monty, Asher and Sofie, along with miniature therapy horses Latte and Knick Knack.
 
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