Artists Against Generative AI Event in North Adams

03:37PM / Thursday, May 14, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Common Folk Artist Collective will host a free arts showcase and forum during ArtWeek Berkshires for local artists on ways we can organize against generative AI.

The event will feature stories, poetry, artwork, music, and more creative expression from local artists standing against the impact of AI on the arts.

It will be held on May 20, from 6 to 8 pm at the Common Folk Artist Collective, 165 E Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247.

According to a press release:

Facilitated by Hari Kumar: local storyteller, recovering engineer, AI critic, and founder of Convivo. Kumar has been featured on local radio several times, has presented on the harms of AI at a debate at Berkshire Community College, and provides free resources and webinars to raise awareness of AI's costs and realities.

"Most people do not realize that generative AI products do not do what the marketing says they do, and do not know that AI data centers are exponentially worse for the environment than traditional data centers," said Kumar. "let alone the reality that generative AI relies on stealing original work by artists and trained using exploited labor from around the world. This event is intended for artists but also our local community as a way to celebrate and support authentic human creativity."

The event is free, RSVPs are encouraged at: https://bit.ly/artists-against-ai

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North Adams Water Line Break Shuts Off Service on Ashland; McCann Dismisses Classes Early

Staff Reports iBerkshires
10:52AM / Friday, October 30, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A water main that broke Friday morning has affected water service south of Main Street along Ashland and Church streets and caused McCann Technical School to close early.

The break occurred shortly before 9 a.m. near the Roots Teen Center; Ashland Street between Summer Street and American Legion Drive was closed to traffic to allow crews to work on repairs.

"The way it was coming out, we were hoping it was a sprinkler line for the old Nassif's, but there's no sprinkler line in there, so it's a main line," said Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau. "We're trying to get it isolated. Once we get isolated, everything's coming back."

This break is causing areas of the city to have little to no water pressure.

McCann Technical posted that its Tea Room would be closed and then announced early dismissal for 11:15 a.m. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has cancelled all classes.

The Water Department was opening connections around the affected area to close off the gates and redirect the flow until the line could be repaired. Water was flowing out of a hydrant past the post office and streaming down American Legion Drive.

American Legion Drive is open but the work crews are now in the intersection of Ashland and Summer Street and traffic will be disrupted. The city is asking that motorists and pedestrians avoid the affected area whenever possible "to allow our crews to work safely and efficiently."

For questions or concerns, contact the Water Department at 413-662-3157. In the event of an emergency, contact the Dispatch Center at 413-664-4944, Ext. 1.

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