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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Ventfort Hall: Making New England Movies

LENOX, Mass. — Jay Craven, American film director, screenwriter, and former film professor at Marlboro College, will present his talk "New England Movies: How and Why" on Sunday, March 1 at Ventfort Hall at 3:30 pm. 
 
Craven will tell the story of his adventures and experiences, developing a sustained filmmaking career in the unlikely settings of Vermont and Massachusetts. A tea will follow his presentation.
 
He will describe working with a wide range of actors, including Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal, Kris Kristofferson, Martin Sheen, Ernie Hudson, and Michael J. Fox.  He'll share the satisfactions and challenges that come from immersion into place-based narrative filmmaking. 
 
According to a press release:
 
Craven's work grew out of years of working as a teacher and arts activist whose mission has been the advancement of community and culture in the region.  For four decades he has written, produced, and directed character-driven films deeply rooted in Vermont and New England, including five "Vermont Westerns" based on the works of award-winning Northeast Kingdom writer, Howard Frank Mosher. His latest film, Lost Nation, digs into the parallel Revolutionary War era stories of Ethan Allen and the pioneering Black Guilford poet, Lucy Terry Prince.  His other films have adapted stories by Jack London, Guy du Maupassant, George Bernard Shaw, Craig Nova and, currently, Henrik Ibsen and Dashiell Hammett. Craven also made the regional Emmy-winning comedy series, Windy Acres, for public television and seven documentaries.
 
Craven's films have played festivals and special screenings including Sundance, South by Southwest, The American Film Institute, Lincoln Center, Cinematheque Francaise, the Constitutional Court of Johannesburg, and Cinemateca Nacional de Venezuela. Awards include the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Producer's Guild of America's NOVA Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces program. His film Where the Rivers Flow North was a named finalist for Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
 
Tickets are $45. Members receive $5 off with their discount code. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.
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