
Amy Krzanik reports from North Adams.On Saturday, April 6, MASS MoCA marked the conclusion of its Oh, Canada show and the opening of three new exhibits with the 3-2-1! Celebration, a night jam-packed with events. The evening commenced with a cocktail party in the galleries and a silent auction in the lobby, where attendees could bid on art by Sanford Biggers, Mark Dion, and Moyra Davey, among others. The artists who created the night’s three debut exhibits — Life’s Work: Tom Phillips and Johnny Carrera, Mark Dion: The Octagon Room, and The One Minute Film Festival — were on site to discuss their work. Artist Johnny Carrera (near left) and Center for Book Arts founder Richard Minsky are shown in front of one of Carrera's works. A benefit dinner followed under Xu Bing’s fabulous, large-scale Phoenix project in Building 5, and the night culminated in a dance party with Canadian DJ King Khan, a self-described “spiritual guru," spinning a blend of vintage soul, R&B, garage rock, and funk. All proceeds from the evening support new work made at MASS MoCA.


Jonathan Swartz, Kim Cushman, Lisa Cushman, Bruce Armentrout, MASS MoCA's Jodi Joseph, and Michael Cushman; Shawna Boles and Krishna Jain.


Johnny Carrera's mom Mary Jeanne and mother-in-law Katherine Waldman wear outfits emblazoned with Carrera's art; CAC Cincinnati curator Steven Matijcio, Mary Beth Johnson of SECCA, and Sienna Patti.


Sean Blane, Jennifer Campbell, and David Rosen of the Canadian Consulate in Boston; DJ King Khan with Lickety-Split cafe owner Cathy Rayls.


Ali Benjamin and MASS MoCA's Blair Benjamin with Christy and Rob Abel; Sophie Ash and Kate Grumbacher wearing Carrera's art.


Dana Sherwood, artist Mark Dion, and David Borawski; Liz Richards with Alison Hart of Jacob's Pillow.


Molly Kerns and Cornelia Alden; Alexander Pirdy, Athena Mahler, Nora Bates Zale and Synphany Bates Zale of The Academy at Charlemont in front of work by Tom Phillips.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo