The Making of the Berkshire Carousel at a Tea & Talk

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LENOX, Mass. — Local Berkshire resident, Stephanie Talanian, will tell the story of how the dream of a Berkshire Carousel became a reality on Tuesday July 15, at 4 pm. 
 
A tea will be served after her presentation.
 
According to a press release:
 
From the first piece of wood to the last coat of paint, the dream of Jim and Jackie Shulman turned a community project into a beautiful piece of art for all to enjoy. Hear the story of how two paid staff and 300 volunteers raised the funds, learned the art of building wooden horses and chariots, and turned it all into an amazing carousel for young and old to ride.
 
Stephanie Talanian, a resident of Berkshire County for over 50 years, is a member of the group partnering with Berkshire Carousel, Inc. to raise the needed funds and operate the newly reopened carousel. She grew up riding the carousels at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY and has loved all things carousel related since childhood. When the opportunity presented itself she volunteered for the original Berkshire Carousel project, where she learned to sand, carve and paint the horses. When the carousel ceased operations Stephanie joined with a small group of other volunteers to form Berkshire Collective Creations where they continue to carve and restore carousel animals. They have a studio at Greylock Works in North Adams.
 
Tickets are $45. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Students 22 and under are $22. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Ventfort Hall: Making New England Movies

LENOX, Mass. — Jay Craven, American film director, screenwriter, and former film professor at Marlboro College, will present his talk "New England Movies: How and Why" on Sunday, March 1 at Ventfort Hall at 3:30 pm. 
 
Craven will tell the story of his adventures and experiences, developing a sustained filmmaking career in the unlikely settings of Vermont and Massachusetts. A tea will follow his presentation.
 
He will describe working with a wide range of actors, including Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal, Kris Kristofferson, Martin Sheen, Ernie Hudson, and Michael J. Fox.  He'll share the satisfactions and challenges that come from immersion into place-based narrative filmmaking. 
 
According to a press release:
 
Craven's work grew out of years of working as a teacher and arts activist whose mission has been the advancement of community and culture in the region.  For four decades he has written, produced, and directed character-driven films deeply rooted in Vermont and New England, including five "Vermont Westerns" based on the works of award-winning Northeast Kingdom writer, Howard Frank Mosher. His latest film, Lost Nation, digs into the parallel Revolutionary War era stories of Ethan Allen and the pioneering Black Guilford poet, Lucy Terry Prince.  His other films have adapted stories by Jack London, Guy du Maupassant, George Bernard Shaw, Craig Nova and, currently, Henrik Ibsen and Dashiell Hammett. Craven also made the regional Emmy-winning comedy series, Windy Acres, for public television and seven documentaries.
 
Craven's films have played festivals and special screenings including Sundance, South by Southwest, The American Film Institute, Lincoln Center, Cinematheque Francaise, the Constitutional Court of Johannesburg, and Cinemateca Nacional de Venezuela. Awards include the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Producer's Guild of America's NOVA Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces program. His film Where the Rivers Flow North was a named finalist for Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
 
Tickets are $45. Members receive $5 off with their discount code. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.
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