Hillman-Jackson Gallery Presents 'Free-Form' by Lucien Dante Lazar

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Hillman-Jackson Gallery in The Daniel Arts Center, Bard College at Simon's Rock will present Free-Form: An Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings and Fiber Works by Lucien Dante Lazar. 
 
Opening Reception Monday, Feb. 10 at 5:30PM. Artist's Talk 6PM.
 
According to a press release: 
 
In Free-Form, Lucien Dante Lazar explores the activity of creating as an initiative of love and freedom. He is interested in how human beings can learn to realize themselves as spiritual beings living an earthly experience; and through this realization, to develop agency in becoming emblems of truth, beauty, and goodness for the sake of each other and the world. Through a synthesis of self-transformation and transpersonal experience, Free-Form moves through dialectics of color and form that shape and liberate human consciousness into a consciously free discipline of artistic- scientific-spiritual research into human development. Through paintings, drawings, and fiber works, Lazar hopes to shed light on, and offer hope for, the questions and challenges lying at the root of human identity today. Curated by Jacob Fossum, Bard College at Simon's Rock Faculty in Painting and Drawing.
 
Lucien Dante Lazar (b. June 24th, 1994 in Evanston, IL) is an interdisciplinary artist whose praxis is founded in the intersections of art, science, and spirituality. After his primary and secondary education at Chicago Waldorf School, he received his AA from Bard College at Simon's Rock (2013), his BA from Bard College (2016), and his MFA from California College of the Arts (2020). Lazar is currently working on his PhD in the Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness program at California Institute of Integral Studies. In support of his doctoral work, Lazar is also enrolled in a full-time training at Eurythmy Spring Valley, as well as a part time training at Steiner School of Speech Arts. Additionally, he is enrolled in a part time training through the Association for Anthroposophical Psychology. His dissertation will constitute a unique pedagogy of spiritual development through the diversity of the arts.
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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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