2019 calendar of events
Chesterwood is open 7 days a week from May 25th through October 27th from 10am to 5pm. Either join a guided tour at 11am, 12pm, 1pm or 2pm, or enjoy “open touring” from 10 to 11am or 3pm to 5pm. Grounds-only tickets to walk the woodland paths and see the contemporary sculpture show are available all season. Half-price admission every second Sunday of the month courtesy the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.
JULY
Thursday nights, July 18th, and 25th: Chesterwood extends its hours until 7:00 p.m. with open touring of the studio and residence, outdoor sculpture exhibition, and woodland walk. Regular admission fees apply.
Thursday, July 25th: Opening Reception of Woodland Light: Photographs of Chesterwood by Margaret Moulton. 5 to 7pm, Woodland Gallery. Free.
AUGUST
August 8th: Artist Biographies: A Conversation with Harold Holzer, author of Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French and Dr. Thayer Tolles, curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This event is sponsored by Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program will take place at Edith Wharton’s The Stable at The Mount, 11 a.m. 2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, Mass 01240. Purchase tickets here.
Saturday, August 10th-Sunday, August 11th: Sculpting the Portrait and Features, during this exciting class, award-winning sculptor Michael Alfano will work one-on-one with students to develop a portrait sculpture. Class members will sculpt each facial feature by breaking their anatomical structures into simple forms and shapes. Class is limited to 6 participants. This program is a collaboration with the New England Sculptor’s Association. $250 plus $25 materials fee. Register here.
Thursday, August 15th: Nejaime’s wine seminar, Studio Piazza at Chesterwood. 4 Williamsville Rd., Stockbridge. Seating is limited. Preregistration is required through Nejaime’s Wine Cellar, located in Stockbridge and Lenox. 413.298.3454 and 413.637.2221. nejaimeswine.com. 5:30pm to 7pm.
Saturday, August 17th-Sunday, August 18th: The Seated Pose, learn to sculpt the figure in a seated pose with teacher Arlene Fins. Using oil-based clay, we will explore some specific considerations that are inherent in building a seated person vs. a standing or leaning figure. Beginners to experienced welcome! Class is limited to 6 participants. This program is a collaboration with the New England Sculptor’s Association. $250 plus $25 materials fee. Register here.
Sunday, August 18th: Author’s Conversation - Why Old Places Matter by Thomas M. Mayes, Acting Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Based on his book of the same title, Mayes explores the cultural, physical, mental, and economic importance of historic places with architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson. This event is sponsored by Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This program will take place at Edith Wharton’s The Stable at The Mount, 11 a.m. 2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, Mass 01240. Purchase tickets here.
Sunday, August 25th: Toadstool Walks: a guided forest walk led by certified forest therapy guide, Tam Willey 10am to 12pm. This program is supported by Handshouse Studio, founded by Rick and Laura Brown, to engage visitors with their current outdoor sculpture exhibition at Chesterwood “One Impulse from a Vernal Wood”. Space is limited to 15 participants, registration required at toadstoolwalks.com/voice-of-the-wood-forest-bathing-with-one-impulse. Free.
SEPTEMBER
Thursday, September 5th: Nejaime’s wine seminar, Studio Piazza at Chesterwood. 4 Williamsville Rd., Stockbridge. Seating is limited. Preregistration is required through Nejaime’s Wine Cellar, located in Stockbridge and Lenox. 413.298.3454 and 413.637.2221. nejaimeswine.com. 5:30pm to 7pm.
Saturday, September 7th: Housatonic Heritage Walk “Chesterwood: An Artists’ Landscape” by Gerry Blache, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. 1pm. Free.
Sunday, September 8th: One Impulse/One Wood: a living sculpture walk with hands-on collaboration, led by Marie Brown with artists Rick and Laura Brown. 1pm to 3pm. This program is supported by Handshouse Studio, founded by Rick and Laura Brown, to engage visitors with their current outdoor sculpture exhibition at Chesterwood “One Impulse from a Vernal Wood”. Registration at www.rickandlaurabrownsculpture.com/events. Free.
Sunday, September 15th: Housatonic Heritage Walk “Sculpting the Land: Daniel Chester French’s Artist-Designed Landscape at Chesterwood” with Valerie Balint, Program Manager of Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios. 10am. Free.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 19th: Studio Sculpting Demonstration with artist Carolyn Wirth. Carolyn Wirth is an artist and educator based in Maynard, Mass. She is Adjunct Professor of Fine Art at Pine Manor College, where she also curates and directs the College’s Hess Gallery. Free with admission.
Sunday, October 20th: Woven Word in the Woods: a creative writing workshop led by poet Lynn Bowmaster. Come enjoy yourself writing a love letter to nature! Choose either Session One: 11am to 1pm or Session Two: 2:30pm to 4:30pm. This program is supported by Handshouse Studio, founded by Rick and Laura Brown, to engage visitors with their current outdoor sculpture exhibition at Chesterwood “One Impulse from a Vernal Wood”. Limited to 10 participants per session, registration required by email to lrbowmaster@gmail.com or 413-584-3373. Free with admission.
Saturday, October 26th: Studio Sculpting Demonstration with artist Arlene Fins. Arlene is a national award winning sculptor, and has exhibited widely throughout the U.S. She teaches sculpture in her studio in Maynard, MA. Free with admission.
On view now OFF-SITE:
On view through August 2nd: Abraham Lincoln: An American Icon, presented by the Chapin Library at Williams College, this exhibition features highlights from the Chesterwood archives collection. Chapin Library, Williams College, 26 Hopkins Drive, Williamstown, Mass. Free.