image description — Works by three Berkshire artists — Adam Brown of Lenox, Sarah Sutro of North Adams and Shelsy Rodriguez of Pittsfield — are on display outside the governor's office until Sept. 12.

Governor Healey Unveils Art Exhibition by Berkshire Artists

12:59PM / Monday, August 18, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Sarah Sutro's 'Blue Web' on display outside the governor's office.

BOSTON — A temporary art installation outside the governor's office on Beacon Hill features three Berkshires artists.

Gov. Maura Healey unveiled the exhibit this month in partnership with Mass Cultural Council. It includes works in photography, paintings and digital prints.

The artists are Adam Brown of Lenox, Sarah Sutro of North Adams and Shelsy Rodriguez of Pittsfield. Their works will be displayed in the reception area of the governor's office through Sept. 12.

"Western Mass has an incredible legacy of arts and culture, and these artists remind us of the creativity that comes from all across the state," said Healey. "We're grateful for the talents of Adam, Shelsy and Sarah and for our partnership with Mass Cultural Council to display this exhibition for the thousands of visitors to the State House."

The governor has hosted temporary exhibits before, including for months celebrating diversity like Black History Month and American and Pacific Islander Month and for women veterans and for the Cape and Islands. The office also has on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts "Early Summer" and "Showery May Morning" by J. Appleton Brown, "Spring Hillside" by J. J. Enneking, "George Washington" by Francis Alexander, and "Landscape" by Leslie Prince Thompson.

"I'm thrilled to have my painting 'Blue Web' represented," said Sutro, who has a studio in the Eclipse Mill. She primarily works in abstract ink drawing, acrylic painting, and watercolor, although "Blue Web" is done in oils. Her art amplifies cycles of the natural world and explores the inner realities of nature, using colors derived from organic material.

Brown has 44 years of experience in marine consulting and is professional deep-sea diver, and established SilverScreen Marine, a marine production company that provides underwater support services to the motion picture and television industries. His photographic works "Skating Underwater" and "Synchro #3" are on display.

Rodriguez, also known as Stephx. works primarily in painting and photography, and explores her indigenous roots and her cultural diversity. An environmental science scholar, her works "Colombia – Andean and Orinoco Regions" and "Smile from the Heart" are based on her ancestral past, cultural present and the environment.

"This exhibition is bringing the creativity of Western Massachusetts here to Boston, and I am grateful to Adam, Shelsy and Sarah for partnering with us to display their work," said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

Tags: art exhibit, State House,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

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

NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

View Full Story