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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Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members.

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."

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