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Mass MoCA Releases Fall Program

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art announced its Fall programming for this year featuring an extensive amount of diverse exhibits and events that residents and tourists can look forward to. 
 
Upcoming Exhibitions:
 
On View: Beginning Oct. 29
 
Beginning October 29, contemporary American artist EJ Hill will be having his largest exhibit to date "Brake Run Helix" as his first solo museum show. 
 
According to the press release, the exhibit features a massive installation that incorporates a stage for performances as well as a sculptural installation inspired by the form and function of rollercoasters." 
 
This rideable sculpture fills Mass MoCA's 100-yard-long Building 5 gallery and will incorporate paintings, stage performances, and freestanding sculptures
 
According to the release, Hill considers roller coasters as a public monument to the possibility of attaining joy which he notes is "a critical component of social equity."
 
"Hill's practice focuses on experiences that intermingle public struggle, endurance, trauma, and joy, whether within athletics, religion, the American education system, or amusement parks," the press release says.
 
"In the United States, amusement parks were contested sites throughout Jim Crow-era desegregation efforts for equitable access to pleasure, leisure, and recreation."
 
Mass MoCA will be hosting a member preview reception on Oct. 28 starting at 6 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the exhibition. Tickets cost $20, or are free for Mass MoCA members.
 
On View: Beginning Dec.17
 
Visual artist, composer, and musician Jason Moran's exhibit "Black Stars: Writing in the Dark" will be on view starting Dec. 17 in Robert W. Wilson Building 6. 
 
According to the press release this exhibition explores the embodied experience of live music and the "residues and memories" music making leaves behind.
 
"These pieces emerge from my performance practice, my body in relationship to the piano and to bodies in the audience," the press release said.  
 
Upcoming Events:
 
Sept. 8 though 10, starting at 8 p.m.
 
Writer, choreographer, and director Jack Ferver will be premiering their first full-length work in three years. 
 
According to the press release, Ferver describes "the queer" as someone who is told by society that their life isn't natural and doesn't exist, and therefore is supernatural and has chosen not to exist.
 
In their performance, Ferver weaponizes this vantage point to view and hold our overwhelming global failures with cold journalism to shaky intimacy. 
 
Tickets start at $25
 
Oct. 6 & Nov. 10, 5 until 7 p.m.
 
Experience the work of Assets for Artists' current artists-in-residence. Open Studios will take place in Building 13 and Building 34. 
 
Learn more about each artist cohort on the Assets for Artists website.
 
Free admission
 
Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
 
Mass MoCA will be screening the new documentary "Mija," which chronicles the emotional and complex stories of Doris Anahi Muñoz and Jacks Haupt, the daughters of undocumented immigrants from Mexico, navigating their careers in the music industry. 
 
There will be a Q&A and performance with Muñoz following the performance.
 
Tickets start at $18 
 
Oct. 21 & 22 at 8 p.m.
 
Created by arts collective TRIBE, led by artistic director and choreographer Shamel Pitts, "Touch of RED" has its world premiere at Mass MoCA that is co-presented by Jacob's Pillow. 
 
According to the press release, "Touch of RED" energy builds not out of aggression or combat but through an electrifying effeminacy that heals. 
 
Tickets start at $20
 
Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.
 
Mass MoCA invites people to an evening of cocktails, dinner, and a lively auction in support of the museum's mission. Tickets are available beginning in early September.
 
Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
 
Sophie Allison, aka "Soccer Mommy," will perform pop-inflected indie rock with American indie rock band Lightning Bug. 
 
Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
 
Marking the presentation of Rose B. Simpson's artwork at multiple New England venues, Mass MoCA brings together curators who have brought the artist's sculpture to the region to discuss the curatorial decisions, processes, and collaborative experiences behind each of Simpson's projections from ideation to execution.         
 
Free for all, RSVPs open Sept. 14.
 
Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.
 
Theater artist Taylor Mac returns for a conversation and preview of his new work "The Bark of Millions," which celebrates queer luminaries throughout history. 
 
Tickets start at $20
 
Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.
 
J. Hoard brings his original composition and arrangements to Mass MoCA, melding the core of the Black church and the allure of Broadway.
 
Tickets start at $18

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Mass MoCA Commission Approves Mental Health Practices as Tenants

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Mass MoCA Commission on Thursday approved three new tenants for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 
 
Kimma Stark, project manager at the museum, gave the commission the rundown on each of the new tenants. 
 
Eric Beeman is a licensed mental health counselor who uses art in his therapy. He holds a master's degree in expressive arts and arts therapy from Lesley University, where he's also taught graduate-level practices and principles of expressive art therapy.
 
He integrates creative arts based interventions into his clinical work including drawing painting, poetry, writing, brief drama and roleplay, movement and sound. Beeman works one-on-one and with small groups and said he mostly works with adults. 
 
He will be operating as Berkshires Expressive Arts Therapy on the third floor of Building 1. 
 
Beeman said Stark has been very helpful. "It's different than just renting a space and she's been very helpful and personable and accessible," he said. 
 
Mary Wilkes, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, works with individuals with severe mental illness, with attachment and relationship issues and needing support navigating major life transitions. She works with teenagers, college and students and adults. 
 
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