99¢ & Up: ART MALL     
MCLA Gallery 51
51 Main Street
(413)664-8718

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Deals, Deals, Deals!!! A call out to holiday shoppers! ! Once a year, MCLA Gallery 51 slashes prices of works by local and national artists: in a sense these objects are “priceless,” but with a price tag somewhere between “99 cents” and “up.” If you’ve been seeking out that unique gift idea for someone special on your list, with these reduced prices, this show is the time to buy!

DownStreet Art is pleased to present never before seen works by North Adams artist Jarvis Rockwell which will attend the reception. In addition, Rockwell has on exhibit his “MAYA IV sculpture”, works he created in the 1960s and ’70s and a new wall drawing. If you are not following Jarvis’ tweets yet, you must sign up! 

‘Tree of Souls’ is an installation by Melanie Mowinski, MCLA art professor. It consists of a series of hanging silk panels entitled, “Tree of Souls,” that was originally created for and shown as part of the “Festival of Trees” at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA.

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“PRESS: Letterpress as a Public Art ” will unveil the new exhibit, “Patterns and Pressure,” featuring MCLA student projects printed at PRESS during the fall semester by students in Mowinski’s “Intro to Design” and “Concrete Poetry” classes.

In the windows of 109 Main Street, Prof. Melanie Mowinski will curate “Coming up NEXT! MCLA’s Emerging Artists” is a preview of work created by some of the students who will graduate from MCLA this spring. 

NORTH ADAMS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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James Fissel’s work involves the idea of the orb; with its symbolic meaning andiconography. To him, it conveys the idea of the creative spirit and the mysteries of the world. As a painter, Fissel works in several different media, mainly with acrylic, watercolor, and paper collage. 

Also on view at the Library, the first edition of the Occupy Wall Street Paper.

The MCLA Jazz Band, under the guidance of local musician and teacher Jamie Choquette, will perform from 6-7 p.m., at 107 Main St..

MCLA Allegrettos, the College’s a cappella group that has performed throughout the county, as well as on public television. The students will perform traditional songs of the season at different venues throughout downtown the night. 

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Patrick Gray grew up listening to his father play folk music whether around a camp fire or performing on stage to large crowds. He caught the performing bug at an early age and decided to pick up one of his father’s acoustics, he was happy to show him the basic chords G-C-D etc. by junior high he …was running home from school just so I could sit in my room and learn a new song. Bringing his talent to North Adams, where he now lives and works, Patrick Gray will perform at the Public Restaurant from 8:30pm till 11:30pm on December 1.

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Artists Mark Mulherrin and Kirsten Warming will return downtown with their “Artsicle” cart. Artists were asked to participate in the project creating their own “art on a stick,” which will be available during DownStreet Art on Ice. The cart will be then parked at MCLA Gallery 51 as part of the “99¢ and up: Art Mall” show.

This year also marks the return of the ‘Mystery Shopper’, a person who can be identified by a weekly clue. This person can be out anytime between 6-8pm in any down street location during the Hometown Holiday Thursday night celebrations. If you are the first to spot a Mystery Shopper you win a $25 gift certificate to a participating business. This week’s mystery shopper hint is:  If you listen closely you’ll hear snow go thumpetty thump thump.

All businesses are invited to participate in this holiday window decorating contest. Judging will take place on Dec. 1. Judges will include: North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, local artist Jarvis Rockwell, Michael Foster, editor of the North Adams Transcript and Sean Taylor from Freight Yard Pub. A City Councilor’s Choice award and a People’s Choice Award also will be awarded. The trolley will take judges and interested members of the public to all decorated sites throughout the city. For more information about the Window Decorating Contest, contact Veronica Bosley at tourism@northadams-ma.gov or 413-664-6180

A Children’s Scavenger Hunt will be held throughout North Adams, Dec. 1-8, as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration. Clues will be available at Verizon Wireless, I Got Goodies and MCLA Gallery 51 starting Dec. 1, as part of the evening’s events.     

Store specials will include a chance to enter for a gift basket worth $200 at Berkshire Emporium & Antiques, $20 off a purchase of $100 or more at Dilego’s Jewelry, 10% off special orders at I Got Goodies, the 99 cent rack at Mia’s Consignment Shop, 10% off holiday decorations at The Party Place, a $165 one room suite special and 10% off gift certificates ($100 minimum) at Porches Inn, 15% off all holiday purchases, or 50% off one item with 2 donations for the local food pantry at River Hill Pottery, and 10% off one item or 20% off one item with 2 donations for the local food pantry at Shima Boutique. 

Rogue Waves:
The Work of Jennifer Smith and Colleen Williams
NAACO Gallery
33 Main Street
Opening December 8 

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Smith will exhibit fiber collage that combines shimmery thread, beads, metallic paint and bits of fabric mounted onto wooden panels; in addition, she is showing an array of holiday ornaments created using the same materials and process. Williams will show new porcelain works which feature complex surface design on figurative vessel forms. 

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We are still here! Tropical Strom Irene damaged some roads in Berkshire County but, there are ways around them. Check out this site for alternative driving directions and come to North Adams!