Summer Highlights at The Clark
Williamstown, MA

American art takes center stage this summer at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, crowning a summer schedule that provides an exceptionally lively program of events and activities.

Headlining the season are two special exhibitions opening June 9: Winslow Homer: Making Art, Making History and George Inness: Gifts from Frank and Katherine Martucci. Both exhibitions are open until September 8. This summer also marks an important milestone for the Clark as it celebrates the fifth anniversary of Stone Hill Center on July 27.

Also on view through September 8 is the Kidspace exhibition Lions and Tigers and Museums, Oh My! at Stone Hill Center. This interactive, family-friendly exhibition is designed to spark questions of curiosity and to uncover the answers.

Special events, musical offerings, family fun, performances, and films round out the summer. Check out what The Clark has in store this upcoming season…

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Americana Family Day, Sunday, June 30th, 11am–4pm: Families will have the opportunity to go back in time to experience some of the sights and sounds of nineteenth-century America as painted by George Inness and Winslow Homer. Sing along to performances by a troupe of sea shanty men, enter the pie-eating contest, learn to fly-fish, paint with watercolors, stand on the deck of a ship, play lawn games from the 1800s—and much more. Free admission all day.

Stone Hill Center Fifth Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, July 27th, 1–4pm: Join in the excitement as the Clark celebrates the fifth anniversary of Stone Hill Center. Admission to Stone Hill Center is free all day. There will be a cookout on the lawn with grilled fare for sale, and free cake and ice cream will be served at 3:30 pm.

Free Fun Friday, Friday, August 23rd, 10am–5pm: Enjoy free admission to the Clark, with special activities throughout the day for all ages. Grilled barbecue fare will be available for sale from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation.

Free Summer Concerts, Tuesdays in July, 6pm: The Clark’s popular tradition continues on the South Lawn. This summer’s lineup of great music includes Red June (July 2), Across the Pond (July 9), Funk in the Trunk (July 16), Incendio (July 23), and Jammin’ Divas (July 30). Bring a picnic dinner or purchase barbecue fare. Fun for the whole family!

Homericana Film Series, Mondays in July and August at 3pm: The free film series alternates each week between classic films depicting events of Homer’s era and a Homer documentary. Classic films include Glory (July 1), Little Women (July 15), The Yearling (July 29), The Magnificent Ambersons (August 12), and The Whales of August (August 26). The documentary Winslow Homer: Society and Solitude airs July 8, July 22, August 5, and August 19.

Free drop-in watercolor workshops, Tuesdays in July, 2–6pm and Saturdays in August, 10am–2pm: Local artists Andrew Davis and Clare Fox provide instruction for people of all ages and skill levels. Artists are encouraged to observe and paint the abundant natural beauty throughout the Clark’s campus. All materials provided.

Paint It BIG! Paint It Public!—A Teen Mural Workshop, July 15th–19th, 10am–4pm: Students create an 8 x 16-foot public mural, based on Albrecht Dürer’s famous sixteenth-century woodcut The Rhinoceros. The mural will be installed in North Adams in conjunction with the city’s DownStreet Art program. Local artist Andrew Davis instructs. Open to children ages 12 to 16.($$$)  Space is limited; register at clarkart.edu or call 413-458-0524.

Daily talks will be held at 11am and 2pm and in the Clark’s auditorium, providing insights into the Clark’s summer exhibitions, the permanent collection, and the exciting plans for the Institute’s future. In addition, a daily presentation will be held at  pm to provide an update on the Clark’s campus expansion program.

ABOUT THE CLARK

Set amidst 140 acres in the Berkshires, the Clark is one of the few major art museums that also serves as a leading international center for research and scholarship. The Clark presents public and education programs and organizes groundbreaking exhibitions that advance new scholarship. The Clark’s research and academic programs include an international fellowship program and conferences. Together with Williams College, the Clark sponsors one of the nation’s leading master’s programs in art history. The Clark receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The Clark is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The galleries are open daily in July and August (open Tuesday through Sunday from September through June), 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $15 June 9 through October 31; free November through June 8; and free year-round for Clark members, children 18 and younger, and students with valid ID. For more information, visit clarkart.edu or call 413-458-2303. The Clark’s library will be closed for installation of a new fire protection system from June 1 through September 3, 2013.

– Submitted by Amanda Powers