Super Sunday ‘Art Slam’ at The Clark

WILLIAMSTOWN -- Looking for an alternative to hours of pregame programming on Super Bowl Sunday? The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is tackling the challenge, providing fun and games in a lively look at its new European paintings catalogue, "19th-Century European Paintings at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute."

The Clark’s "Art Slam" event takes place on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. and provides a light-hearted look at the behind-the-scenes work that went into preparing the first comprehensive documentation of all 374 works in its European paintings collection. The free, hour-long program provides an overview of the catalogue in a variety of presentations that mix facts and fun as participants discover what it took to create this comprehensive look at one of the most significant holdings of the Clark’s collection.

Sarah Lees, the Clark’s associate curator of European art, who spearheaded the ambitious project, will be joined by several of the contributors to the catalogue as they reveal some of the interesting insights and new discoveries that were made during preparation of the two-volume publication.

The program includes conversations, games and quizzes, and plenty of opportunities for audience participation. Prizes will be offered during several portions of the event, and light refreshments will be served.

Kathleen Morris, the Clark’s

Sylvia and Leonard Marx director of collections and exhibitions and curator of decorative arts; Lees; and Michael Cassin, director of the Center for Education in the Visual Arts, will join with other members of the curatorial and catalogue teams to provide a spirited overview of the catalogue and many of the paintings featured in it.

Published on the 100th anniversary of Sterling Clark’s first purchase of a European painting, "19th-Century European Paintings at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute" documents each of the paintings in the Clark’s collection, with essays by prominent scholars, including bibliographic and art historical details, technical notes, and more than 450 color illustrations.

The catalogue is the result of more than twelve years of research and writing and represents one of the most ambitious publication projects in the Clark’s history.

The 1,008-page work is handsomely presented in a slipcase that contains the two-volume book set. While it normally retails at $350, "19th-Century European Paintings at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute" will be offered to "Art Slam" attendees at a discounted one-day-only rate of $250 ($225 for Clark members).

The Clark is located at 225 South St. For more info: clarkart.edu, 413-458-2303.