Art Program Launches 13th Season at North Adams Regional Hospital

NORTH ADAMS — The Community Art Program at North Adams Regional Hospital begins its 13th season with an exhibition of more than 200 works by 19 area artists. Hallways and waiting rooms on four floors of the hospital are filled with artwork.

Curated by North Adams artist Sharon Carson, the exhibit includes works in a variety of media, with styles from abstraction to realism. “Those who come to see the exhibit will be treated to an amazing variety of artwork,” said Carson. “This show features a lot of photographers. Participating artists are also showing pastels, mixed-media works, and oil paintings. Each artist shows several pieces, enough for viewers to appreciate their unique sense of creativity.”

The exhibit continues through Oct. 19, and all of the artwork is for sale.

The artists participating in this show are primarily from the immediate area, including Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, and Clarksburg, and a few of the artists are from farther afield – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. All of the artists loan their work for the six-month-long exhibition.

Since 1999, it has been the desire of North Adams Regional Hospital to complement the healing process with artwork through its Community Art Program. The program enhances the hospital environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Artists have the satisfaction of sharing their art to benefit healing as well as an opportunity to have their work viewed by a wide audience in a busy, public location.

The Community Art Program is funded in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The public is welcome to visit the hospital any time to see the art exhibit. Visitors can pick up a copy of the “Self Guided Tour of the Art Exhibit” at the information desk in the main lobby and walk through the exhibit on four floors of the hospital.

Artists participating in the program include Linda Haas of Adams; Cheryl Wildermuth of Clarksburg; from North Adams: Peter Boudreau, Ed Carson, Lynn Gall, Ian Grey, Thomas Mikelson, Sharon Oakes, and Debi Pendell; from Williamstown: Stephen Dankner, Joanna Gabler, Larry Goldberg, Ghetta Hirsch, Ellen Joffe-Halpern, Greg Scheckler, and Carol Stegeman; Robert Lafond of New Jersey; Randall Bentley of New York; and Judy Cantwell of Connecticut.