WCMA Berkshires Satellite Reef Project

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) and Williams College Gaudino Fund invite the community to take part in the Berkshires Satellite Reef Project.

 

The next public Coral Crochet workshop will be held on Friday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Berkshire Art Center at the Brothership Building at 141 North St. in Pittsfield.

The Berkshires Satellite Reef, a Gaudino Creative Residencies initiative, is part of the worldwide Crochet Coral Reef, a participatory art project that responds to climate change through the creation of crocheted coral reef sculptures. Conceived by artists Christine and Margaret Wertheim in collaboration with the Institute for Figuring, the project invites individuals of all ages and skill levels to contribute to a community-sourced coral reef installation. The completed reef will be presented at Williams College in the ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance as an immersive exhibition in the spring of 2026. 

The Berkshires Satellite Reef will be hosting monthly workshops throughout the year at the Williams College campus and in locations throughout Berkshire County. No experience is necessary; crochet kits and instructions will be provided, and instructors will be on hand for small-group guidance.

Additionally, weekly drop-in Coral Crochet Circles will be held at Williams College and in partner locations throughout the Berkshires. Summer Crochet Circles are currently scheduled for Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Milne Public Library. 

Community members are invited to contribute crocheted coral reef pieces by dropping them off at one of several locations in Williamstown: the Milne Public Library, WCMA, or the ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance, Department of Theatre. Coral pieces may also be mailed to Amy Holzapfel, Professor of Theatre, Williams College, 1000 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267.

The Berkshires Satellite Reef project also encourages participation through donation of crochet hooks, yarn, or yarn remnants. Drop-off bins will be located at several sites on the Williams College campus, including the ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance (in Centerstage Lobby), WCMA (Lobby), and the Class of 1966 Environmental Center (Entryway). Additional drop-off sites include the Milne Public Library and the Berkshire Art Center’s brothership building in Pittsfield. 

 

For more information on the Berkshires Satellite Reef, contact Amy Holazapfel at ash2@williams.edu or visit https://gaudino.williams.edu/berkshires-satellite-reef/.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Police Looking into Damage at Post Office

Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Police are looking into property damage at the U.S. Post Office on Spring Street.
 
On June 28, the Police Department received a report from a member of the Williamstown Garden Club, who was watering flowers at the Post Office and, "noticed that a granite slab had been displaced and a metal grate had been damaged," according to a police report.
 
Officer David Jennings responded to the scene and reported that it, "appeared that a vehicle or piece of machinery had struck the granite slab, causing it to shift into the metal grate and bend it," Jennings wrote.
 
By the middle of July, the damage to the grate was still apparent.
 
Williamstown Police contacted the postmaster, who said he would notify his supervisor about the damage.
 
Police Chief Michael Ziemba on Wednesday confirmed there is no closed-circuit television footage that provides details on how the damage occurred.
 
The damage is estimated to be worth about $500, according to the police report.
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