Cultural correspondent Bess J.M. Hochstein reports from Williamstown: The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute’s annual summer exhibition openings are always something of a moveable feast, as guests shuttle across the bucolic campus from the party tent to the special exhibition galleries to the Stone Hill Center, and back again. But the weather during the June 12 opening of Picasso Looks at Degas, a revelatory show that explores the two artists’ mutual fascination with women–particularly bathers, dancers, and prostitutes–along with Degas’ influence on Picasso, presented a bit more than the usual logistical challenges. Julie Chase, the Clark’s director of special projects, had arranged for opera singers and a Spanish flamenco dancer to perform on the museum’s marble steps, but a chilly rain scuttled that plan. Fortunately, The Clark’s auditorium proved a suitable stand-in for those who could tear themselves away from the dramatically lit tent, which was warmly furnished to evoke a rustic Spanish tavern with a bar serving Spanish wines and Sangria plus three stations for tapas, paella, and, grilled delicacies. After dining, enjoying the performances, acknowledging curators Elizabeth Cowling and Richard Kendall, and viewing the Picasso/Degas show and the companion exhibition of the work of Juan Munoz at the Stone Hill Center, guests convened in the museum’s lobby for desserts, ending the evening with Spain-inspired sweets, including flan, almond-stuffed dates, and irresistible (if not traditional) dulce de leche cheesecake.
The Clark's director Michael Conforti and his wife, Licia Conforti; art historian and Degas expert Jill DeVonyar and Richard Kendall, co-curator of the Degas Looks at Picasso.
Kate Leitch & Terrence Kooyker; violin teacher Jo Sadler & Boston Globe art critic Sebastian Smee.
The Clark's Kjell Wangensteen with DanielTrussardi, creative director for Ann Taylor, and Bryan Frank.
Berkshire Museum executive director Stuart Chase with Michael & Joan Salke; Juila Merriman & David Traggorth.
The Clark's Deborah Girroux and special events coordinator Julie Chase; Clark curator Jay Clarke with Mattie Kelley, director of collections.
Brian & Tim Cherubini; graphic designer Diane Gottardi & Curtis Scott, head of publishing & information tiles.
Berkshires bon vivant Arthur Collins, a retired University at Albany professor, with Spanish guitarist Manolo Caballos and his wife, Elisa Caballos.
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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
