[Forum] Northern Berkshire Arts

[ralph brill]

Hi All:  I have caught some of the Berkshire Arts Forum e-mails over the past weeks.  Is this the correct address for communications?  I am pleased to feel the Positive Energies.  Allow me to add these comments:

1)  It took MASS MoCA several years and tries before it found its place.  Once the Sol LeWitt Galleries are open a Larger and Different Growd will appear in North Adams.  Presently, MASS MoCA announces about 125,000 Visitors per year and The Clark announces 175,000 Visitors.  With the LeWitt Galleries Open and with The Clark's New Galleries these numbers might jump to 200,000 Visitors which translates to about 15,000 Arts Visitors per Month coming through North Adams.  We need to be Ready for that!  Will We?

2)  Pittsfield's 40,000 Population is more than double the population of North Adams and Williamstown Combined.  Pittsfield is benefitting because Artists are finding Affordable Spaces as they are moving out of Great Barrington, Northampton and from Boston and NYC.  They are that much Closer to the Buying Public versus the Viewing Public in North Adams.  It has taken Pittsfield more than 20 Years to transition.  North Adams' turn is next.  If you ask some of the Artists why they chose Pittsfield they will also say there is More To Do There.  Pittsfield's Arts Community has also benefitted from the $Millions that GE was required to give back to that community for Polluting It.

3)  Pittsfield has Several Very Good Restaurants.  Williamstown has a Few.  North Adams has a Shortage.  Good Food and Good Art Go Together.

4)  For whatever reasons, it is a Struggle for the Williamstown Community to travel further East than Wild Oats.  It is easier for those Residents to go South 30 Minutes to Pittsfield than the 10 Minutes East to North Adams.  It should be noted, however, that some of the Concerts held in the Eclipse Mill have brought Williamstowners who stated that they were glad to happen upon our Galleries.

5)  With all its pronouncements, North Adams isn't all that Arts Friendly.  Cities like Beacon, Kingston, Hudson and Pittsfield understand the dynamics and that Supporting the Arts Aids the Economy.  Simple things like Gallery Signage shouldn't have to be so bureaucratic.  It has taken the Eclipse Mill almost a year and I believe the Windsor Mill Signs are taking a long time as well.  I have had several parties complain that they couldn't find the Eclipse Mill.  North Adams' Tourist Office is open only Part Of The Year.  If North Adams sees itself as only a Seasonal Tourist City - then that's what it will become!  Almost 50% of North Adams' Storefronts are Vacant.  A Seasonal City is Not Sustainable for the Mechants and Galleries.  In the meantime, the Vacant Storefronts could become Spaces For The Arts like Pittsfield's Successful Program.  

6)  Now that the Creative Economy Blueprint has been announced it is up to Us to make sure that the Northern Berkshire Arts Community gets a Meaningful Seat at the Table.

7)  Several of the Surrounding States have Hotel/Arts/Food Tourism Packages.

8)  This is the Last Week of my Leonard Freed Show.  The Gallery will be Open Friday Evening and Saturday Afternoon.  Some of the Freed Photos will reappear at the Leica Gallery in NYC in May.  My next Show will be the Paintings and Photographs of Eve Sonneman whose works are in the Collections of MoMA, MET, Corcoran, Pompidou, etc.  Please stop by. - Ralph

BRILL GALLERY
Ralph Brill, Director
Eclipse Mill - Studio 109
243 Union Street
North Adams, MA 01247-0786
800.294 2811
www.brillgallery109.com
     
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