2018 calendar of events

Chesterwood is open to the public weekends only through October 28, 2018, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with docent led tours leaving on the hour between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Open touring of the residence, studio and grounds are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chesterwood will re-open for the season Memorial Day weekend 2019.

UPCOMING EVENTS at a glance

OCTOBER 2018

Oct. 20th: Special Tour "In Depth: the Architecture of Chesterwood" by architect Stephen Piersanti, 3 p.m., free with admission

Oct. 24th: “To Witness Creativity: Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios in the United States” at The National Arts Club, New York City, 7 p.m., free and open to the public

Oct. 27th: Special Tour “In Depth: Daniel Chester French and His Sculpture” by Donna Hassler, Executive Director of Chesterwood, 11 a.m. free with admission

Oct. 27th: Bird & Nature Walk with Chip Blake, editor-in-chief of Orion magazine, and Gerry Blache, Senior Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds at Chesterwood, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Meet in the parking lot, Members $5, Non-Members $10

DECEMBER

Dec. 15th: 50th Anniversary of Chesterwood as a National Trust Historic Site

MARCH 2019

March 5th: Book launch of Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French by acclaimed Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer, lecture and book signing, McConnell Theater, Simon's Rock, Great Barrington, 5:30 p.m.

2018 SEASON  full descriptions

JUNE

Artists-in-Residence: Rick Brown and Laura Brown have been invited to live and work at Chesterwood for the month of June. Open studio days with the artists will be held on June 16, 17, 23, and 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. A lecture and conversation with the artists will be held on Sunday, June 24 at 4 p.m., followed by a reception.

Rick Brown is a professor of sculpture at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and co-founder and president of Handshouse Studio Inc. In 2015, he was awarded the distinguished teaching of art award from the College Art Association. Laura Brown is on the faculty in the sculpture department of Massachusetts College of Art and Design and is also co-founder and director of Handshouse Studio Inc. The artists have collaborated and exhibited their large-scale, site-specific sculpture in wood in several sculpture shows at Chesterwood as well as other venues and have received numerous awards in their field.

Sundays, June 3 to July 1 (no class June 17): Sunday Drawing with Wednesday Nelena Sorokin in conjunction with IS183 Art School. Held in the studio of famed sculptor Daniel Chester French, these drawing exercises and lessons will focus on a different subject inspired by the setting each week, such as plaster casts, gardens, or architectural views. Rendering an object in 2D form will be covered through demonstrations, exercises, and close observation. Using graphite pencils and charcoal, participants will explore how to convey form, light and surface through shading and compositions. IS183/Chesterwood Member Tuition: $105; Not Yet Member Tuition: $140, plus Chesterwood site fee $18. Drop-in fee per class: $40 plus Chesterwood site fee $18 (to be paid by check at Chesterwood or online via IS183.org). Contact IS183.org or 413.298.5252 x100 for more information and registration. 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17: Painting Early Summer Blooms: A Weekend Workshop with Wednesday Nelena Sorokin, in conjunction with IS183 Art School. In this workshop for painters of all levels, participants will paint on site in Chesterwood’s beautiful gardens designed by Daniel Chester French. The focus will be on using color and shading to capture the essence of flowers through light, shapes, and texture, using both representational and abstract approaches. No experience necessary, though participants are encouraged to select only one medium with which to work – acrylic, watercolor, or oil. IS183/Chesterwood Member tuition: $160; Not Yet Member Tuition: $205 plus Chesterwood Site fee $18. Contact IS183.org or 413.298.5252 x100 for more information and registration. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, June 7: Lecture by Dr. Karen Zukowski: City and Country Studios: French, Frelinghuysen, Morris, Judd and Other American Artists, Lenox Library, 18 Main St., Lenox. Sponsored, in part, by the Lenox Library, Chesterwood and the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio and Connoisseur Fine Art Magazine. A reception follows the lecture. Free. Seating is limited; preregistration recommended by contacting Valerie Balint at vbalint@savingplaces.org. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Thursdays, June 21 to July 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (four meetings, no class July 12): Summer Plein-Air Painting at Chesterwood with Bob Lafond (Session I) in conjunction with IS183 Art School. With the breathtaking grounds of Chesterwood as muse, participants will explore painting in an ever-changing environment. Special attention will be paid to developing approaches to work with spontaneity and maintaining first insights. Students will be supported in whatever style and paint medium they select, with techniques introduced as needed. IS183/Chesterwood Member Tuition: $160; Not Yet Member: $205 plus Chesterwood Site fee $18. Contact IS183.org or 413.298.5252 x100 for more information and registration. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 21: 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. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, June 29: Preview and opening reception of the “40th Anniversary of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2018”. Kinetic work by George Rickey and other notable American artists will be featured in this outdoor exhibition. Reception with cash bar followed by a farm-to-table fundraising event catered by Peter Platt, Old Inn on the Green, in the Studio Garden. $200 for Chesterwood members; $225 for non-members. For dinner ticket information, contact Margaret Cherin at mcherin@savingplaces.org. 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 30, to Monday, Oct. 8: “40th Anniversary of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2018”. Since 1978, Chesterwood has hosted an outdoor sculpture show. Kinetic artist George Rickey was one of the most notable sculptors to participate in the first exhibition. Rickey's work and that of other distinguished American sculptors will be featured in this year's show. Guest curators are Maxwell Davidson III and Charles Davidson of the Maxwell Davidson Gallery in New York. The exhibition is sponsored by the Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation. Highlight tours of the exhibition will be offered with museum admission on Fridays in July and August at 2 p.m.

JULY

Saturday, July 7: “Play with Clay” drop-in art activity, in conjunction with IS183 Art School. An IS183 Art School faculty artist will introduce the tools and basic techniques of sculpting with natural clay. Held on the Woodshed deck at Chesterwood. Materials provided. Free with museum admission. 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 21: “Drawing About” drop-in art activity, in conjunction with IS183 Art School. Drop-in and draw some of the surroundings at Chesterwood, using various basic 2D materials. This is a great chance to get a taste of drawing through quick demos, simple projects, and guidance from an IS183 Art School faculty artist on site. Woodshed deck. Materials provided. Free with museum admission. 1 to 5 p.m.

Thursdays, July 19 to August 16 (four meetings): Summer Plein-air Painting with Bob Lafond (Session II), in conjunction with IS183 Art School. With the breathtaking grounds of Chesterwood as muse, participants will explore painting in an ever-changing environment. Special attention will be paid to developing approaches to work with spontaneity and maintaining first insights. Students will be supported in whatever style and paint medium they select, with techniques introduced as needed. IS183/Chesterwood Member Tuition: $160; Not Yet Member: $205 plus Chesterwood Site fee $18. Contact IS183.org or 413.298.5252 x100 for more information and registration. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Friday, July 13: Free Fun Friday! with art activities for adults and families. Four free tours of French's Studio and Residence will be offered beginning at 11 a.m. Registration is suggested for tours by calling 413.298.3579 x 2023. Each tour is limited to 25 people. Sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation. Free admission all day. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Thursday, July 19: 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. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fridays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27: Highlight tours of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2018. Free with admission. 2 p.m.

AUGUST

Saturday, Aug. 4: “Play with Clay” drop-in art activity, in conjunction with IS183 Art School. An IS183 Art School faculty artist will introduce the tools and basic techniques of sculpting with natural clay. Held on the Woodshed deck at Chesterwood. Materials provided. Free with museum admission. 1 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 8: “A Lincoln Family Album” with Lincoln scholar and author, Harold Holzer.  Local actors Eric Hill and Barbara Sims will read from the personal letters between Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, during the tumultuous yet triumphant years in the White House during the Civil War.  In the Studio at Chesterwood, followed by a wine and cheese reception on the Studio Piazza. $40 members; $50 non-members. Seated is limited. For information and registration contact Margaret Cherin at 413-298-2034 or mcherin@savingplaces.org. 5 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 9: 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. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fridays, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31: Highlight tours of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2018. Free with museum admission. 2 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

Thursday, Sept. 6, 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. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. SOLD OUT

Sept. 15th: Lecture and Book signing with Patricia Harris and David Lyon, Woodshed, 2:00-4:00 pm.  An illustrated lecture, Genius loci: How New England shaped its artists and writers by Patricia Harris and David Lyon authors of the recently released, Historic New England: A Tour of the Region's Top 100 National Landmarks.  The event will also include readings from the book and discussion, followed by a book signing.  Books will be available for purchase at Chesterwood.

This event is free to the public, and light refreshments will be served.  Due to limited seating advance registration is encouraged.  Please e-mail Valerie Balint at vbalint@savingplaces.org or call 413-298-2033 to secure your place.

Patricia Harris and David Lyon are authors of more than thirty books on travel, food, and art— and will discuss some of their favorites sites from their new publication.

This event is co-sponsored by Chesterwood and Historic Artists Homes and Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Saturday, Sept. 15, "Drawing About" drop-in art activity, in conjunction with IS 183 Art School. Drop-in and draw some of the surroundings at Chesterwood, using various basic 2D materials. This is a great chance to get a taste of drawing through quick demos, simple projects, and guidance from an IS183 Art School faculty artist on site. Studio Piazza. Materials provided. Free with museum admission. 1 to 5 p.m.

OCTOBER

Sunday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28: Sunday Drawing Classes in French's Studio, in conjunction with IS183 Art School. IS183/Chesterwood Member Tuition: $105; Not Yet Member Tuition: $140 plus, Chesterwood site fee $18. Drop-in fee per class: $40, plus Chesterwood site fee $18 (to be paid by check at Chesterwood or online via IS183.org). Contact IS183.org or 413.298.5252 x100 for more information and registration. Studio. 2 to 4 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 8: “Fall into Chesterwood” Fun Family Event. Live music, art activities, guided hikes, and pumpkin carving. Discounted admission. 1 to 5 p.m.

Oct. 13th: Bird & Nature Walk with Chip Blake, editor-in-chief of Orion magazine, and Gerry Blache, Senior Superintendant of Buildings & Grounds at Chesterwood, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Meet in the parking lot, Members $5, Non-Members $10

Oct. 20th: Special Tour "In Depth: the architecture of Chesterwood" by architect Stephen Piersanti, 3 p.m., free with admission

Thursday, Oct. 24: “To Witness Creativity: Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios in the United States” at The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC. Illustrated lecture by Valerie Balint, Program Manager, Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, who will discuss the breadth and depth of artists’ homes and studios open to the public throughout the country. Each of these homes is itself a singular expression of the artist(s) who lived there and are often artworks in and of themselves. Free admission with suggested registration by emailing chesterwood@savingplaces.org. 7 p.m.

The National Arts Club is a testament to the strong artistic legacy here in New York; roots tracing back to painters of the Hudson River School, and extending to the myriad artists who still work, live, and exhibit in the Metropolitan area.  Today this heritage remains vibrant and accessible through spaces like the NAC, but also through preserved historic houses of artists Chaim Gross and Donald Judd, both New Yorkers.  Artists who chose other regions of the country, often also had strong connections to New York—the enduring center of the American art world.  Ms. Balint will introduce lecture attendees to the breadth and depth of artists’ homes and studios open throughout the country, their NY ties, and their membership in the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios network.  Ms. Balint will discuss a diverse group of artistic styles, and artists, and the unique immersive experience offered at these preserved sites.

Oct. 27th: Special Tour “In Depth: Daniel Chester French and His Sculpture” by Donna Hassler, Executive Director of Chesterwood, 3 p.m. free with admission

Oct. 27th: Bird & Nature Walk with Chip Blake, editor-in-chief of Orion magazine, and Gerry Blache, Senior Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds at Chesterwood, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Meet in the parking lot, Members $5, Non-Members $10

After Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8, Chesterwood is open on Saturdays and Sundays, October 13-14; 20-21; 27-28, with special tours and hikes scheduled in collaboration with other organizations. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group tours continue through Oct. 31.

DECEMBER

Saturday, Dec. 15: 50th Anniversary Celebration of Chesterwood as a National Trust Historic Site. Holiday cocktail party in the French Family Residence in honor of Margaret French Cresson and Chesterwood Council Emeritus patron Jeannene T. Booher, with Harold Holzer, Lincoln author and scholar, who will sign advance copies of his biography on Daniel Chester French. Books available for sale at the event. Fee charged. For more information contact Margaret Cherin at mcherin@savingplaces.org. 4 to 6:30 p.m.