RELATED EVENTS
FOURTH OF JULY
July 4, 10 am
Clark Campus
There’s lots to celebrate this July 4 and the Clark’s marking a very special anniversary by offering free admission all day!
- Join the fun of Williamstown’s Annual Hometown Parade at 11 am on Spring Street (details at destinationwilliamstown.org)—the best little small town parade ever!
- Head to the Clark to be among the first to see Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass on its opening day and visit the Guillaume Lethière and Kathia St. Hilaire: Invisible Empires exhibitions and the permanent collection.
- Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Clark’s grand reopening following the completion of the campus expansion project and the opening of the Tadao Ando-designed Clark Center by admiring the architecture and wandering the campus!
- In the evening, celebrate the Fourth like a local and visit the Taconic Golf Club for Williamstown’s fireworks celebration.
Free admission all day. For accessibility questions, call 413 458 0524.
GUIDED BY GLASS: WEEKLY DROP-IN ART-MAKING
July 11, 18 & 25 and August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 1–4 pm
Fernández Terrace
In celebration of Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass, explore the unique characteristics of glass and learn about light, color, and transparency. Drop in anytime between 1–4 pm to decorate a glass object to take home and contribute to a collaborative mural led by emerging local artists.
Free. All materials provided. In case of severe weather, meet in the museum pavilion.
Family programs are generously supported by Allen & Company.
DRAWING CLOSER: KEEP IT GLASSY
July 12, 10:30 am
Manton Research Center, Manton Study Center for Works on Paper
The Manton Study Center for Works on Paper welcomes artists of all experience and skill levels to find inspiration in thematic selections from the Clark’s collection of works on paper. From designs for stained glass windows, to grandiose chandeliers, July’s theme, “Keep it Glassy” (offered in conjunction with Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass) encompasses prints, drawings, and photographs that illustrate artists’ experiments with portraying glass and its various aesthetic effects. Enjoy an open session to participate in the tradition of copying earlier artworks or choose to practice fundamentals and explore ideas.
Basic materials are provided. Artists bringing their own supplies should note that only graphite pencils are allowed in the Study Center.
Free. Advance registration required. Capacity is limited. Register at clarkart.edu/events.
COMMUNITY DAY
July 14, 11 am–4 pm
Clark Campus
Community Day takes over the Clark once again, and you’re invited! Join us as engaging stories unfold and surprising festivities take place inside the museum and around our campus. All day long, enjoy free admission to the permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions, including Guillaume Lethière, Kathia St. Hilaire: Invisible Empires, Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass, Edgar Degas: Multi-Media Artist in the Age of Impressionism, and David Jeremiah: I Drive Thee. Learn about glass, printmaking, and collage through art-making activities and artist demonstrations. Immerse yourself in the themes of our special exhibitions by trying your hand at the technique of live figure drawing. Throughout the day, enjoy live music performances, delicious local food, and surprises for all ages!
Free. Refreshments and select activities available for purchase. Held rain or shine.
Family programs are generously supported by Allen & Company.
OPENING LECTURE
July 20, 11 am
Manton Research Center, Auditorium
Kathleen Morris, Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Collections and Exhibitions and curator of decorative arts, introduces Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass. The exhibition’s twenty-eight objects and pairs, spanning from ancient glass to contemporary creations, reveal an intricate blend of craftsmanship and inspiration drawn from nature.
Free. Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524.
CORNING GLASS MOBILE HOT SHOP
August 5–11, 10 am–5 pm
Clark Center Lawn
In conjunction with Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass, the Corning Museum of Glass presents its Mobile Hot Shop on the Clark’s grounds from August 5–11. Every day during the Clark’s open hours, the Hot Shop offers free glassblowing demonstrations that are sure to excite all ages.
Free. For accessibility concerns, call 413 458 0524.
In addition to free public demonstrations, the Mobile Hot Shop offers exclusive programs for members and Clark Society members.
MEMBER GLASSMAKING FOR KIDS: YOU DESIGN IT, WE MAKE IT!
August 6, 9 am
Corning Glass Mobile Hot Shop, Clark Center Lawn
Invite young children, grandchildren, friends, or family members to create unique drawings of their own. Corning Mobile Hot Shop glassmakers will select one idea designed by a young member and bring it to life with glass. At the end of the glassmaking demonstration, the chosen designer takes their one-of-a-kind piece home!
Advance registration required. Capacity is limited.
To register, email [email protected] or call 413 458 0425.
MEMBER GLASSMAKING DEMO: THE SCIENCE OF GLASS
August 7, 9 am
Corning Glass Mobile Hot Shop, Clark Center Lawn
In this special talk and live demonstration just for members, Corning Mobile Hot Shop glassmakers delve into the science behind what happens when silica and oxygen combine.
Advance registration required. Capacity is limited.
To register, email [email protected] or call 413 458 0425.
CLARK SOCIETY GLASSMAKING DEMO: THE TECHNIQUES OF FRAGILE BEAUTY
August 8, 6 pm
Corning Glass Mobile Hot Shop, Clark Center Lawn
Corning Museum of Glass glassblowers select a specific piece from the Fragile Beauty exhibition and walk attendees through the process and techniques used by the original artist, recreating the piece before your eyes. Light refreshments served.
Advance registration required. Capacity is limited.
To register, email [email protected] or call 413 458 0425.
EXPLORING THE CREATION OF GLASS ART WITH JOSH SIMPSON
October 20, 2 pm
Manton Research Center, Auditorium
Renowned glass artist Josh Simpson, based in Western Massachusetts, offers a glimpse into historical and contemporary glassmaking techniques. Presented in conjunction with Fragile Beauty: Treasures from the Corning Museum, this talk explores the intricate process behind creating one of the exhibition's stunning objects, Megaworld. Drawing parallels to his own work in his rural studio, Simpson discusses how natural and astronomical inspirations translate into glass art. Fragile Beauty will be on view for one more week following this lecture.
Free. Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524.