What gives you hope? The question is hanging in the window of MCLA’s art lab on Main Street over a post box painted like a mosaic. In the sunlight, the colors look as bright and abstract as stained glass — like the bus stop across the street.
The question is part of a community art project, conversation — an open-ended invitation to get involved. Another handwritten note in the window invites anyone walking by to respond — they’ve signed themselves #fieldnotesonhumanity.
This kind of unexpected play is part of my answer. I take a note pad out of a wooden drawer to offer them a thought. On a sunny morning when I’m walking through town just to see what’s here, coming on something new gives me hope. Curious minds give me hope, and voices asking questions.
Feeling energy around town gives me hope too. I keep finding bright color — deep red tunic at Savvy hive, upcycled hoodies at Wallasauce, a wall of free banned books at Installation Space, a galaxy of new worlds at the Bear and Bee Bookshop, a turquoise blue woman spreading her wings on the overpass.
The local couple who kept Chingon taco truck going through the pandemic have opened their Casita restaurant in the Mass MoCA courtyard. The Hoosic River Revival folks will open community conversations on the river at the end of the month. We have momentum.
A turquoise and lapis blue woman spreads her wings on the overpass in Egyptian artist Alaa Awad's mural in North Adams.
Events coming up …
Find more art and performance, outdoors and food in the BTW events calendar.
