News and Ideas Worth Sharing
Clark Art Institute unveiled design for new Aso O. Tavitian Wing
Williamstown— The Clark Art Institute unveiled Selldorf Architects’ design for the new Aso O. Tavitian Wing, a permanent home for the Aso O. Tavitian Collection, among the most significant private collections of European art assembled in the 21st century and one of the largest gifts in the Clark’s history.
Twelve galleries on a single level will complement the exquisite works in the Tavitian Collection, many intended to be seen up close in an intimate setting. The new purpose-built wing will significantly expand the Clark’s gallery and art storage spaces and seamlessly connect the main museum building and Manton Research Center, both previously renovated by Selldorf Architects.
Reed Hilderbrand, longtime collaborators with the Clark and Selldorf Architects, will accentuate the naturally elegant appearance of the building with a serene landscape design that will help the building blend harmoniously with the surrounding pastoral setting. Like the Manton Research Center and the museum building itself, the facade of the new addition will be made of stone, set in a thoughtfully designed pattern of multicolored veined marble in tones resonant with the adjacent buildings.
“This elegant new addition to the Clark campus will be the physical manifestation of two great visions: the unparalleled eye of collector Aso O. Tavitian, and the peerless design of architect Annabelle Selldorf. When complete, the building will fit seamlessly into our landscape and greatly enhance the experience of all visitors,” said Esther Bell, Hardymon Director of the Clark.
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Great Barrington Public Theater’s ‘iBoss’ utilizes new technology
Great Barrington— The second show of Great Barrington Public Theater’s 2026 Summer Season “iBoss,” written by Thomas Kee and directed by Clay Hopper, is bringing new technology to GBPT’s newly configured space at Saint James Place.
The production will utilize a brand new technology called Random Actor, an interactive design tool that was co-created by director Clay Hopper. This is the first time this software has been used in a professional production of a new play.
The world premiere play takes place in a not so distant future, where the rapidly accelerating intelligence of AI systems has created “Lisa.” Powered by AI, she wields enormous power. Shockingly, Lisa displays an emergent property of AI: sentience. And from this newly sentient being something else emerges: an emotional agenda. The software creates visuals that are an extension of Lisa. The images projected in the space respond to her movement, voice, mood, and intonations, allowing for the visual design of Lisa’a internal state. The images are not recorded or played back from a video. They are created in real time along with the actor’s performance, with a generative algorithm using machine learning to create evocative images that are organic, despite their computational nature.
Hopper said, “The technology already exists that enables graphics designers to design in real time, and the same goes for sound and lighting designers. If we had a tool that could give the same power of real time design to designers without the necessity of coding, but with an intuitive user interface, then we would be able to fully expand and enhance the standard rehearsal system: one where the actors rehearse for three weeks then the designers come in and “install” the design over the actors, effectively designing the play before the actors are a part of it. This is what we usually call ‘technical rehearsals; or in the parlance of the trade, ‘Tech.’
What we found when attempting to stage a play within an immersive, fully projected-media environment for the actors, was that this system of rehearsal was insufficient for the aesthetic application we were pursuing. Because of the inordinate amount of time we spent adjusting/writing code in rehearsal in order to make changes, we developed the idea of a software application that could change the values of any given generative algorithm in real time, as we worked in rehearsal with the actors and other designers. In this way, all of the elements could be created together as a seamless whole: the projection design changing to accommodate the actors staging, the director then staging the actors to accommodate those new design adjustments, which then further refines the design and the values of the generative graphic – all in real time.
And this is how we arrived at our software tool, Random Actor. It is a new application for the design of interactive generative graphics with multiple uses. Whether it’s the theatre, with its specific demands around narrative, or choreography with its extension of human form and movement, or art installations that change the space entirely as people interact with it or within it – even music performance, where a musician’s work can manifest visually in response to the music… all with the capability for real time design and an intuitive user interface with no need to know how to write code.”
Tickets for “iBoss” can be found online.
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Trustees of Reservations and New Marlborough Land Trust preserve Blue Hill Farm
New Marlborough— The Trustees of Reservations and New Marlborough Land Trust have partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, and Berkshire Agricultural Ventures to protect Blue Hill Farm, a 242-acre farm in New Marlborough, and make the property affordable for a New England farm family.
The project permanently protects the farmland, keeps it in active agricultural use, and enables Pat and Kelly McNiff of Pat’s Pastured to become the farm’s new owners. The effort was made possible by the Goodnow family, who owned the farm for decades and wanted to see it permanently protected, as well as support from Mass Audubon’s 30×30 Catalyst Fund, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and the Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has purchased a perpetual Agricultural Preservation Restriction on the property, protecting the land and ensuring that it remains in active agricultural use. New Marlborough Land Trust and Berkshire Natural Resources Council will hold a deed restriction on the farmhouse parcel ensuring that the farm’s residence will remain as part of the farm and affordable for future farmers.
“We are excited to be a partner and help to fund the permanent protection of the Blue Hill Farm through our 30×30 Catalyst Fund,” said David O’Neill, President and CEO of Mass Audubon. “Mass Audubon is thrilled to see that this farm will remain working for future generations and serving the ecological and economic interests of the Berkshires community.”
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Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s ‘Community Coffee Chat’
Pittsfield— Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and 1Berkshire will host a “Community Coffee Chat” on Wednesday, July 22 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., outside on Dunham Mall, located at 100 North Street.
This is the third in an ongoing series of DPI Community Coffee Chats downtown open to representatives from small businesses and nonprofits in Pittsfield and Berkshire County. This is a drop-in event, and coffee and a light breakfast from Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort will be provided.
This month’s chat topic is “Networking and Updates with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.” This informal drop-in session brings together downtown stakeholders to learn about opportunities for volunteerism, sponsorship, business involvement, and upcoming events from Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., including First Fridays at Five, First Fridays Artswalk, Depot After Dark, Dance on Dunham, Let It Shine! Murals, The Downtown Pittsfield App, Local Love Arts Festival, Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive!, and the Festive Frolic. There will also be an opportunity to learn about upcoming events from 1Berkshire, including the Fall Foliage Parade and their Entrepreneurial Meetups.
Registration is not required but is appreciated. Registration is available online.
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MountainOne Bank Appoints Lisa Lotano to Lead its Pittsfield Branch
North Adams— MountainOne Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Lotano as Community Banking Officer for its Pittsfield branch, located at 111 Silver Lake Boulevard.
Bringing 25 years of banking experience, Lotano is responsible for deposit gathering while delivering exceptional service and personalized financial solutions to customers. She also represents MountainOne throughout the Berkshires community by fostering partnerships with local nonprofit and community organizations. Throughout her career, Lotano has been active in the community, volunteering with Junior Achievement’s Reality Store program, mentoring adult learners through the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and teaching financial education to students in grades K through 12.
“Lisa brings a proven track record of leadership, exceptional service, and strategic relationship management to her role as Community Banking Officer,” said Jill Amato, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Community Banking Officer. “Her commitment to customer service, financial education, and the communities we serve makes her a valuable addition to our team and a trusted resource for the customers of our Pittsfield branch.”
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Timberlyn Heights earns national award
Great Barrington— Timberlyn Heights has been recognized as a 2026 recipient of the “Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award” by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care.
This distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors long-term and post-acute care providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to enhancing quality care for the residents they serve.
The rigorous three-level process in which organizations are reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence: the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. The framework helps organizations achieve superior performance over time, ultimately enhancing the quality of care and quality of life for long term care residents. Providers begin this quality improvement journey at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile outlining key elements such as their vision, mission, customer base, and core strengths and challenges.
“Earning the Bronze Quality Award reflects a strong commitment to continuous improvement and delivering quality care every day,” said AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Clif Porter. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients for taking this important step in the quality journey. We are excited to see all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”
The award recipients will be celebrated in October in Boston.
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Samantha James Dalmas opens pop-up curatorial platform
Great Barrington— Aurora Archive(s) will present “Voices Across Time,” a pop-up curatorial platform, or “happening,” that gathers artists, makers, collectors, and neighbors in the space at 70 Railroad Street, a place where the community has long come together to celebrate and converse.
Curated by London-born, New York-based producer and curator Samantha James Dalmas, “Voices Across Time,” builds on the curatorial vision of the platform’s debut, “Time.” This new chapter shifts the focus from objects alone to the conversations and connections that surround them. It is an invitation to participate: to listen, to talk, to share a space where art, design, fashion, and dialogue intersect. Archive pieces and design objects are displayed to enrich the curatorial experience.
“‘Voices Across Time’ grew out of my own experience in the Berkshires, the conversations, the friendships, the unexpected sense of community that forms when people gather around the things they love,” Dalmas said. “A happening felt truer than a marketplace. This is about voices, across generations, disciplines, and time, meeting in one room.”
Open though September 30th, more information about the platform can be found online.
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BCC accepting applications to Fire Science program
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) is now accepting applications for entrance into its Fire Science program, and all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree can attend for free.
The program focuses on fire prevention and fire protection principles and techniques. Students also take general education courses, including human behavior, as well as written and oral communication. All coursework is aligned with Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) standards. The program covers material on the most recent developments in the field and provides excellent preparation for those who work in a variety of occupations in fire science.
“The Fire Science program at BCC is an excellent way to gain credentials for people who want to become firefighters, emergency managers, fire inspectors, insurance underwriters and more,” said Daniel Garner, Fire Science program advisor. “With a demonstrated need in the Berkshires for these professions, graduates of the program tend to find jobs quickly and earn competitive salaries.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, firefighters in Massachusetts earn a median hourly wage of $34.78 and an annual mean salary of $72,330. More information can be found online.
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