NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gallery 51 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present "Ecologies of the In\between," an exhibition featuring works by four contemporary artists.

 

The exhibition opens with a public reception on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. and runs through Jan. 4, 2026.

 

Curated by Dr. Victoria Papa, Associate Professor of English & Visual Culture at MCLA, the exhibition brings together artists Johanna Hedva, CAConrad, Kelsey Shultis, and Báyò Akómoláfé, whose diverse practices span drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, and sound.

 

"This exhibition is an invitation to the in\between, a proximal zone of time and space that holds the tensions and potentialities between what was, what is, and what can be," said Dr. Papa. The show examines how artists navigate and represent the complexities of contemporary existence, moving beyond apocalyptic narratives to explore how "ends and beginnings coexist, ecologically."

 

The exhibition's title draws from poet CAConrad's line "end of the world how did you get in my imagination," reflecting the show's exploration of how artists engage with uncertainty while creating space for new possibilities. The works collectively demonstrate how resistance and surrender, affinity and antipathy can coexist in productive tension, stated a press release.

 

As part of the exhibition's programming, poet CAConrad will give a public talk on Occult Poetics at the MOSAIC EventSpace (49 Main St.) on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m.

 

Dr. Papa has also created a comprehensive resource guide for the exhibition, designed for educators and community members interested in teaching with the show or learning more about its artists and themes. The guide includes artist biographies, exhibition programming dates, and curated resources for further reading, watching, and listening.

 

"Ecologies of the In\between" will be on view from Oct. 17, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, at Gallery 51, located at 51 Main Street in North Adams, MA. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

 

Gallery 51 is located at 51 Main Street in downtown North Adams. Gallery hours and additional programming information are available at Upcoming Exhibitions.