For Immediate Release
March 9, 2022

CLARK ART INSTITUTE FIRST SUNDAYS FREE PROGRAM ON APRIL 3 OFFERS FREE ADMISSION AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Williamstown, Massachusetts—The Clark Art Institute’s popular First Sunday Free program continues on Sunday, April 3, offering free admission to the galleries and special exhibitions from 10 am–5 pm, along with a series of special activities. April’s theme is “Photography.” As a part of the Clark’s special programs, visit a pop-up installation of early photography in the Manton Study Center for Works on Paper from 11 am–1 pm, enjoy art-making in the Clark Center’s lower lobby from 1–4 pm, then bring along a camera (phone cameras work just fine) and head outdoors to join a guided hike from 2:30–4 pm to learn best practices for photographing nature.

Visitors can also see the Clark’s current special exhibition, As They Saw It: Artists Witnessing War, which examines the role artists played in documenting the events and experiences of war over four centuries (1520-1920). As They Saw It showcases a diverse selection from the Clark’s holdings: both pro- and anti-Napoleonic imagery (including Francisco de Goya’s The Disasters of War); Civil War photographs and wood engravings; and multiple perspectives on World War I. Also featured are images of Black Americans in military service, whose contributions have often been underrepresented in the historical record. As They Saw It is on view through May 30, 2022. Veterans, active-duty military members, and their families receive daily free admission to the Clark through the run of the exhibition.

Also on view is a year-long installation of contemporary works by artist Tomm El-Saieh. The exhibition, Tomm El-Saieh: Imaginary City, is the latest offering in the Clark’s on-going presentation of contemporary art in public spaces and is on view in multiple locations in the Clark Center and Manton Research Center. The child of Palestinian-Haitian and Israeli parents, El-Saieh's artistic practice is in dialogue with Abstract Expressionism and Surrealist automatism as well as Haitian vodou traditions—all of which coalesce in the artist’s highly distinctive painterly approach. 

Additionally, the Clark’s full permanent collection is on view, featuring a rich array of works by artists including John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Berthe Morisot, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas. A recent acquisition, Tea Service of Famous Women (Cabaret des femmes célèbres) (1811-12) has recently been installed and is now on view in the Clark’s galleries. The tea service painted by Marie-Victoire Jaquotot portrays sixteen women from different periods in European history celebrating the importance of women within governance, literature, and international relations of the time. 

The Clark’s grounds, which are always open free of charge, provide miles of walking trails traversing meadows and woodlands in a setting of profound natural beauty.

While admission to the galleries is free to all visitors on April 3, advance registration is strongly recommended. All visitors age 5 and up must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination at entry and must wear facemasks indoors. Visit clarkart.edu to register and for details on current health and safety protocols.

Family programs are generously supported by Allen & Company.

ABOUT THE CLARK ART INSTITUTE
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of more than 285,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.

The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Advance timed tickets are strongly recommended. Admission is $20. During the run of the As They Saw It exhibition (March 5–May 30), all veterans, active-duty military members, and their families receive free admission. Admission is also free on a year-round basis for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is available through several programs, including a local library pass program and the EBT Card to Culture. For more information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.

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