Arts notes

Patriotic folk art

SHEFFIELD - Beginning in the 18th century, democratic American values began to be expressed through folk art by unbounded representations of patriotic symbols such as flags, the liberty cap and pole, the bald eagle, and classical depictions of Lady Liberty and George Washington.

As interpreted by untrained artisans who made objects largely of utilitarian worth, the new value of democracy and freedom found their way into American culture through women's handiwork, portraiture, advertising and signage, furniture painting, carving, military material, politics, toys, clothing and ephemera.

From Saturday, May 10, through Sunday, June 22, the Sheffield Historical Society will showcase some of those objects in "Red, White and Blue: Patriotic Motifs in American Folk Art," honoring the 275th anniversary of Sheffield's founding in 1733.

The heart of this celebratory exhibit, with selected additions, is from the collection of Steven Leigh of Great Barrington and New York, assembled through decades of collecting. An opening reception will be held Sunday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. During the reception, Leigh will answer questions and give informal tours of

The exhibit will be held at the Old Stone Store, the society's latest acquisition to its seven building campus. Dating from 1834, it is the oldest existing retail building in the town, and now functions as the society's gift shop and exhibition space. It is located on the Green on Route 7 in Sheffield. Info:

sheffieldhistory.org or 413-229-2694.

Bright idea

When is a lamp an object of art?

In a new art exhibit called "Lumens," a project of MCLA Gallery 51, Greylock Arts and Turbulence featuring Ven Voisey, Sean Riley and Matthew Belanger, that's when.

"Lumens" is part of "Networked Realities: (Re)Connecting the Adamses," a series of exhibits and opportunities developed to artistically reconnect the town of Adams and the city of North Adams through the Internet.

"Lumens" will feature scores of household lamps borrowed from the citizens of Adams and North Adams, filling both gallery spaces. Lamps in each space will turn on in response to the presence of visitors and simultaneously control lamps in the other location to make the visitor's presence known in both sites.

In addition, the artists are collecting the individual stories and histories of each lamp to feature in an online gallery hosted on Turbulence. As Internet visitors investigate a particular lamp online, that lamp also will respond in the physical gallery space.

Lamps can be dropped off at MCLA Gallery 51 in North Adams and Greylock Arts on Summer Street in Adams; donors should call 413-241-8692 before dropping a lamp off. Lamps will be returned in their original condition.

The exhibit will run July 10 through Oct. 31. Info: 413-241-8692 or turbulence.org/

networkedrealities.

Student art show

WILLIAMSTOWN - Art majors in the Williams College Class of 2008 worked in a variety of media, including oil paint, charcoal, ink, acrylics, cartoon animation, coffee, spray paint, rubber and aluminum foil.

The work varies greatly, but it all shares resonances, such as themes of beauty, grief, the body space, celebrity, conservation, urbanization, self-identity, hiding and chance.

This work will be on display from May 9 through June 1 in an exhibit titled "...The Horse You Rode In On." It features artists Evan Barrett, Hannah Buchsbaum, Kim Dacres, Karina Godoy, Sean Hayes, Rory Jensen, Elizabeth Kohout, Ben Kolesar, Eugene Korsunskiy, Brandon Lucien, Elspeth Macmillan, Tony Maruca, Sophie Scully and Amanda Zaitchik.

The students have employed a variety of methods to create their art, such as monotype, dry point print, manipulating layers of Mylar and tissue paper, and more unusual methods, such as painting on plywood and Plexiglas, and sculpting masks from used car tires.

The show will open with a free reception on Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the museum. The museum is located on Main Street. Info: wcma.org or 413-597-2429.