December 4, 2023
CLARK ART INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY HOURS
Williamstown, Massachusetts—The Clark Art Institute will be closed in observance of Christmas Eve on Sunday, December 24 and Christmas Day on Monday, December 25. The Clark is open Sunday, December 31 and closed on Monday, January 1, 2023 in observance of New Year’s Day. The Clark is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Highlights of the Clark’s winter holiday schedule include:
50 Years and Forward: British Prints and Drawings Acquisitions offers a richly varied selection of works on paper acquired since the Manton Research Center opened in 1973. Highlights include lively figure drawings by Thomas Rowlandson; vibrant watercolor landscapes by J.M.W. Turner, Thomas Girtin, and H.W. Williams; heartfelt interpretations of nature by John Constable and Samuel Palmer; vivid portrait heads by Thomas Frye and Evelyn de Morgan; and an astonishing watercolor interior by Anna Alma-Tadema. This abundant display showcases how the Clark continues, in the wake of the Manton gift, to enrich the British works on paper collection—ensuring that it grows in strength and variety far into the future.
50 Years and Forward: Works on Paper Acquisitions marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Manton Research Center with a selection of prints, drawings, and photographs acquired between 1973 and 2023. Featuring recent acquisitions and other works never shown at the Clark before, the exhibition celebrates not only the growth of classic areas of strength but also the emergence of fresh collecting territories. Along with familiar works by Albrecht Dürer, Francisco Goya, Édouard Manet, and Mary Cassatt, 50 Years and Forward highlights lesser-known parts of the collection, including early twentieth-century art, photographs by Berenice Abbott and Doris Ulmann, and important images of and by Black Americans. With each passing year and decade, the museum reaffirms its commitment to the storied collecting mission of its founders Sterling and Francine Clark, modifying and expanding it to meet the needs of a new era.
Kids Can Cook, the Clark’s popular children’s cooking class returns on December 29 at 11 am. The event is recommended for children ages 5 to 10. Little chefs learn how to prepare international favorites including empanadas and lasagna, and make a tasty dessert. The little cooks have lots of taste tests to sample their work, and take home a goodie bag complete with recipe cards. Tickets $30 ($28 members). Space is limited. For more information and to register, visit clarkart.edu/events.
The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD presentation of The Magic Flute airs in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center, on Saturday, December 30, at 12:55 pm. Mozart’s beloved fable returns in an encore broadcast of Tony Award–winner Julie Taymor’s colorful, puppet-filled production. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the family-friendly production of the delightful fairy tale that has captivated audiences for centuries. The award-winning series of live high-definition cinema broadcasts features the full performance along with backstage interviews and commentary before the show and during intermission. Tickets $25 ($22 members, $18 students, $5 children 15 and under). Advance registration encouraged; capacity is limited. No refunds.
Holiday treats abound in the Clark’s Museum Store, the ideal place to locate imaginative gift ideas for all ages. With a wide selection of jewelry, clothing, home décor, and art books, the Museum Store is a shopper’s delight for unique gifts. The Museum Store is open during the Clark’s normal hours and is available online at store.clarkart.edu.
And if the weather is white, don’t forget to visit the Clark’s campus (open daily with no admission) for snowy fun. The Clark’s Project Snowshoe program offers free use of snowshoes in adult and children’s sizes to trek the campus; the Clark’s Stone Hill is also one of Williamstown’s most popular sledding destinations.
ABOUT THE CLARK
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 some 300,000 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. Admission is free January through March and is $20 from March through December; admission is free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is also available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.
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