MCLA Gallery 51 to Present 'Ecologies of the In\between'

08:34AM / Saturday, October 11, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gallery 51 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present "Ecologies of the In\between," an exhibition featuring works by four contemporary artists.

The exhibition opens with a public reception on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. and runs through Jan. 4, 2026.

Curated by Dr. Victoria Papa, Associate Professor of English & Visual Culture at MCLA, the exhibition brings together artists Johanna Hedva, CAConrad, Kelsey Shultis, and Báyò Akómoláfé, whose diverse practices span drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, and sound.

"This exhibition is an invitation to the in\between, a proximal zone of time and space that holds the tensions and potentialities between what was, what is, and what can be," said Dr. Papa. The show examines how artists navigate and represent the complexities of contemporary existence, moving beyond apocalyptic narratives to explore how "ends and beginnings coexist, ecologically."

The exhibition's title draws from poet CAConrad's line "end of the world how did you get in my imagination," reflecting the show's exploration of how artists engage with uncertainty while creating space for new possibilities. The works collectively demonstrate how resistance and surrender, affinity and antipathy can coexist in productive tension, stated a press release.

As part of the exhibition's programming, poet CAConrad will give a public talk on Occult Poetics at the MOSAIC EventSpace (49 Main St.) on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m.

Dr. Papa has also created a comprehensive resource guide for the exhibition, designed for educators and community members interested in teaching with the show or learning more about its artists and themes. The guide includes artist biographies, exhibition programming dates, and curated resources for further reading, watching, and listening.

"Ecologies of the In\between" will be on view from Oct. 17, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, at Gallery 51, located at 51 Main Street in North Adams, MA. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Gallery 51 is located at 51 Main Street in downtown North Adams. Gallery hours and additional programming information are available at Upcoming Exhibitions.

Tags: art gallery, MCLA,

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Deep Dive: A Guide to Ballot Questions for Election 2026

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
03:45PM / Wednesday, October 28, 2026

This is the second in a two-part series looking at ballot measures and the questions being placed before voters in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Part 1 looked at the history and process for ballot measures.

The following is a summary of the nine state ballot measures in the 2026 Massachusetts election, compiled from various sources. Further text and details on these measures are available in the state's official ballot guide and Ballotpedia, a non-partisan non-profit online political encyclopedia.

Question 1: This proposal would expand the Massachusetts Public Records Law to the state Legislature and Office of the Governor. This is intended to improve public access to documents and other records. The current public records law only applies to state agencies and local governments.

A Yes vote would support this change; a No vote would leave the Public Records Law as it is.

On one level, this question is straightforward. However, the details are complex. Massachusetts has often been criticized for a lack of transparency, even with the existing public records law. Passage would send a clear signal of the preferences of voters, but could be challenged or lead to further maneuvering.

A primary proponent of this is State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who had also filed a 2024 ballot question that requires an audit of the state Legislature. Among other effects, Question 1 is intended to advance that by allowing her to gain access to the information needed for an audit. It would also make records more available to journalists, organizations and individuals seeking information on legislative and gubernatorial actions.

Polls indicate strong support for the concept. However the measure has elicited mixed responses among politicians and officeholders. Gov. Maura Healey has said she supports the bill as long as certain exemptions are included. The state Republican Party and the Democratic Committee have expressed support for it.

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