SculptureNow to Relaunch as Sculpture at The Mount

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LENOX, Mass. — The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home, announced that the annual outdoor sculpture exhibition produced in the Berkshires by SculptureNow for the past twenty-five years—and at The Mount for nine years—has been brought in-house as a formal Mount program, beginning with the 2024 exhibit. 
 
With the retirement of SculptureNow's founder and executive director, Ann Jon, the timing was right for a transition.
 
Founded by Jon in 1998, SculptureNow established itself as a platform for contemporary sculpture in Western Mass and beyond, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists. As the annual sculpture exhibit transitions to The Mount's stewardship, the show will continue to feature a diverse range of sculptures in many sizes and media thoughtfully sited throughout the estate.
 
Susan Wissler, executive director of The Mount said, "By formally integrating SculptureNow into our programming, there is great synergy between Wharton's literary legacy and the compelling narratives expressed through contemporary sculpture. We are grateful to Ann Jon and her decades of hard work to provide artists and visitors alike with a space to explore the intersection of literature, sculpture, and nature. She blazed a trail for sculpture in our region."
 
Ann Jon, professional artist, curator, and art educator, shared that "25 years ago, sculpture was sometimes not considered 'fine art'. I am gratified that so many people have interacted and connected with this art form of large-scale sculptures presented on the beautiful grounds of The Mount. I look forward to seeing the exhibitions continue under The Mount's leadership."
 
In 2023, SculptureNow at The Mount welcomed 55,000 visitors. The exhibit is a destination for collectors and visitors and has been favorably reviewed by Sculpture Magazine, the New York Times, National Public Radio, the Boston Globe, Art New England, Berkshire Magazine, WAMC, the Berkshire Eagle, MassLive, and numerous other outlets.
 
The 2024 call for artist submissions is now open at https://sculptureatthemount.artcall.org. A jury will select the sculptures for the 2024 exhibit, which will open on May 24, 2024 and remain onsite until October 20. Artist-led talks will again be made available to visitors and students of all abilities.

Tags: sculpture,   The Mount,   

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Show-Cause Hearing for Pittsfield Bar Continued Again

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bei Tempi will have a show-cause hearing for its liquor license in May after police brought forward pictures that appear to show underage patrons drinking.  

On Monday, the Licensing Board continued a hearing for Zuke's Soups and Variety LLC, doing business as Bei Tempi, to May 18. This is the second month it was continued. In the last year, the bar has been accused of underage service by two different parents.  

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served. 

Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi with photos, one of them with the owner "clearly visible" in the background, Hill said. 

The owners, Richard and Elizabeth Zucco, did not show up in March, and the hearing was continued again this month. 

"This show-cause hearing was scheduled for March 23 of 2026 and the licensee did not appear at that hearing, although I understand that notice went out by way of email," Chair Thomas Campoli reported after the bar's second no-show, adding that the Zuccos' lawyer communicated they had a "planned prepaid trip" that conflicted with the meeting. 

Last year, a different mother approached the Licensing Board asking for accountability after her underage child was allegedly served at Bei Tempi. After drinking at a graduation party, she said her 18-year-old son became further intoxicated at the establishment before returning home late and becoming combative, resulting in an arrest by police. 

In March, the pictures of alleged underage drinking at Iztac were printed and presented to the Licensing Board with faces blurred; the reporting party wished to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

Hill ran the patrons' names through police records to confirm they were not 21. This is the same underage daughter who is said to have drunk at Bei Tempi, and her mother has provided photos. 

The Health Department ordered Iztac to close on March 13 after finding "pests" in the establishment.  On Monday, a notice stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety was no longer on the door but the Health Department confirmed that the closure was still in effect. 

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