Chesterwood

Ever wonder what we do on Tuesdays when we are closed to the public?
➡️All of the tasks that require work!

Today came to the site to take some updated photographs of our collections items, including some work that were recently conserved.

Here is a photo of a bronze bust of French's Spirit of Life getting her turn in front of the camera!

There are so many reasons to come back to Chesterwood this season! - https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/august-2024

"Spirits of Chesterwood" returns with all new dances throughout the gardens. This is a not to be missed performance!!! 4 nights only August 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 5:30pm - https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/spirits

Harold Holzer to present "Mr. French and Mr. Lincoln" on Thursday, August 8th! Joined by the marvelous actor Rufus Collins - *|https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/harold-holzer-book|*

Coming up at Chesterwood🎉⁠
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🔵TONIGHT 8/3- 5:30pm- Only a few tickets left!! - Arts Alive! Tableaux Vivant-
Join Mr. and Mrs. French in one of their favorite parlor games - the creation of "living pictures" using costumes and props - all staged within the original, custom built frame designed by Daniel Chester French!

🔵Sun 8/4 - 3pm - Q***r Whispers in Fairyland Special Tour - Daniel Chester French, a meticulous molder of monumental images, carefully crafted the public persona which helped him become one of the most successful American sculptors of his time. Dive beneath Daniel Chester French’s ‘straight-laced’ exterior to explore the ‘q***r whispers’ he left behind for us to puzzle over.
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🔵Thur 8/8 - 5:30pm - Mr. French takes on Mr. Lincoln by Harold Holzer with guest actor Rufus Collins. Hear Lincoln’s greatest words together with French’s rarely and reluctantly expressed thoughts (he preferred to let his sculpture speak for him). And hear some of the words spoken at the dedication of French’s masterwork, the Lincoln Memorial, in 1922. THIS EVENT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BOOK SIGNING FOR THE NEW PAPERBACK EDITION OF HOLZER'S "MONUMENT MAN"
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🔵Sun 8/11- 3-7pm- Join us for an afternoon Croquet Competition! Break out your best croquet casual and sip on prosecco at the Gilded Age Games in the Garden! Swing mallets amidst Chesterwood's Italianate splendor, historic sculptures, and stunning views.Face off against your Berkshire rivals and claim prizes at Chesterwood's first annual Croquet Classic! This informal competition on the lawns of the gardens remembers the French family's fun in the sun at their summer residence and studio in Stockbridge. Whether you're competing or just cheering on, take some time to explore the grounds and historic Studio where DC's vast Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial was made.
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Don't forget📣⁠
🔵Every Sat & Sun - 10am-Noon - Join Chesterwood staff for a facilitated, intergenerational artmaking activity! This is a FREE program for all children 15 & under and up to 4 adults. ⁠Participation in Art Lab activities counts as Site Admission for those who wish to take Studio or Residence tours - sign up for tours online or at our Visitor Center!⁠ We can't wait to create with you! ⁠

🔵Wed-Mon All Season- Enjoy guided tours of the French's studio and the newly re-opened historic family residence with our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides!⁠
⁠
Check out chesterwood.org to learn more and book in advance!⁠
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Images Descriptions:
1) Infographic image - Coming up at Chesterwood with dates event titles and the additional images noted below.
2) Actors in costume and with props recreate a historic painting for an audience while preforming Tableaux Vivant. photo by
3) Historic black and white photo of Daniel Chester French and friend, Ned Powers, performing a Tableaux Vivant of Raphael's Cherubs, while in Italy in circa 1875. photo courtesy Chesterwood Archives, Chapin Library, Williams College.
4) Photo Lincoln scholar and French Biographer, Harold Holzer. Photo by the Matt Capowski
5)Photo of Jayde Violet, performer with Drag Story Hour Berkshires. Photo provided by
6) Historic black and white photo of a woman (Margaret French Cresson) and a man (one of her friends), on the lawn at Chesterwood. She is holding a parasol, and both and wearing 1920's style clothing. Photo courtesy of Chesterwood Archive, Chapin Library, Williams College.

Give Your Home a Historic Touch with 7 Vintage-Inspired Wall Coverings | National Trust for Historic Preservation Inspired by designs at National Trust Historic Sites, refresh your home with these suggested wall coverings.

"Immortal Love," also known as "The Sons of God Saw the Daughters of Men That They Were Fair." A winged n**e male figure embraces a n**e female figure with long, flowing hair. The figures stand on a circular base. This plaster working model is on display in the Chesterwood Studio, and the final marble version was purchased in 1923 by the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC. When the Corcoran closed in 2014, the work was transferred to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.

Tableaux Vivants (or Living Pictures) return to the Studio August 3 at 5:30pm! - *|https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/tableaux-vivants-2024|*

Coming up at Chesterwood🎉⁠
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🔵TONIGHT 7/24- And Wed 7/31 from 6-7:30pm- Evening Explorations: From Italy to the Berkshires - The Piccirilli Brothers: This tour centers the lives and work of the Piccirilli Brothers, 6 Italian immigrants whose immense skills as marble carvers were integral to the creation of sculptor Daniel Chester French's famed Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. -- among many others of his works. The contributions of immigrants to our national conscience and identity are often overlooked. In this program, we acknowledge and remember the artistry of these 6 Italian brothers, and how they shaped the American experience.⁠

🔵Every Sat & Sun - 10am-Noon - Join Chesterwood staff for a facilitated, intergenerational artmaking activity! This is a FREE program for all children 15 and under and up to four adults. ⁠Participation in Art Lab activities counts as Site Admission for those who wish to take Studio or Residence tours - sign up for tours online or at our Visitor Center!⁠ We can't wait to create with you! ⁠
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🔵Sat 7/27- 3-4pm - Author Talk with Michael Roth 📚️AT THE STOCKBRIDGE LIBRARY📚️ From the president of Wesleyan University, an illuminating history of the student, spanning from antiquity to Zoom. In his sweeping book, The Student: A Brief History (Yale University Press, 2023) Michael S. Roth narrates a vivid and dynamic history of students, exploring some of the principal models for learning that have developed in very different contexts, from the sixth century BCE to the present. "The Student" will be available for purchase to be signed by the author! This is a free event and is a collaboration between the Stockbridge Library and Chesterwood. Suggested donation $10. Advance reservations requested. This event will take place at the Stockbridge Library, 146 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA

🔵Sun 7/28- Noon - Artist Joe Wheaton will lead a tour of the 46th annual contemporary outdoor sculpture show: Birth of a Shadow. Joe's piece picured here is “Kubaki Series, Refuge" and is made of enamel on steel. Tour is included with general admission to site.⁠
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🔵Sun 7/28-3pm- Arts Alive! Presents: Close Encounters with Music's High Peaks Festival. Bringing together an international group of strings, pianists & vocalists to converge in the Berkshires for intensive study with distinguished faculty artists. A major component of the program is performing in public and Chesterwood is proud to host the High Peaks Festival students within the historic Studio for its second year.

And don't forget📣
🔵Wed-Mon All Season- Enjoy guided tours of the French's studio and the newly re-opened historic family residence with our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides!⁠
⁠
Check out the link in our bio to learn more and book in advance!⁠
⁠ . .⁠
Images Descriptions:
1) Infographic image - Coming up at Chesterwood with dates event titles and the additional images noted below.
2) Historic, early 20th century, black and white photo of 6 men (The Piccirillis)
3) photo take from above showing kids working on arts and craft projects in the Chesterwood Art Lab
4) Photo of man standing in front of a bookcase, photo if Michael Roth, provided by the author.
3) Contemporary Sculpture of a curving blue form by Joe Wheaton titled "Kubaki Series, Refuge” installed in a tree at Chesterwood; photo by
4) Photo of young cello players provided by

We welcome Close Encounters with Music's High Peaks Festival to the Studio this Sunday - Best acoustics around - Classic to modern for strings and piano *|https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/close-encounters|*

Coming up at Chesterwood🎉
⁠
🔵Every Sat & Sun - 10am-Noon - Join Chesterwood staff for a facilitated, intergenerational artmaking activity! This is a FREE program for all children 15 and under and up to four adults. ⁠Participation in Art Lab activities counts as Site Admission for those who wish to take Studio or Residence tours - sign up for tours online or at our Visitor Center!⁠ We can't wait to create with you! ⁠
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🔵Sat 7/20- Arts Alive! "Director's Insight" with Tina Packer of ! Insights into Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale and her methods of directing. Afterwards continue the conversation with a glass of prosecco🥂
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🔵Sun 7/21- Noon - Artist Natalie Tyler will lead a tour of the 46th annual contemporary outdoor sculpture show on Sunday, July 21 at 12pm. Natalie’s piece “Kaleidoscope” is made up of 47 cast glass butterflies and a bronze branch. Tour included with general admission to site.

🔵Sun 7/21- 1pm-2pm- Sculptor in Residence, Nilda Comas, will hold an artist’s talk in her studio at Chesterwood. Hailing originally from Puerto Rico, Nilda currently works between Pietra Santa, Italy and Florida. While in residence Nilda has been working on her clay model of the civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy Height. Reception to follow. This is a free event.

🔵Wed 7/24- 6-7:30pm- Evening Explorations: From Italy to the Berkshires - The Piccirilli Brothers: This tour centers the lives and work of the Piccirilli Brothers, 6 Italian immigrants whose immense skills as marble carvers were integral to the creation of sculptor Daniel Chester French's famed Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. -- among many others of his works. The contributions of immigrants to our national conscience and identity are often overlooked. In this program, we acknowledge and remember the artistry of these 6 Italian brothers, and how they shaped the American experience.
⁠
🔵Wed-Mon All Season- Enjoy guided tours of the French's studio and the newly re-opened historic family residence with our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides!⁠
⁠
Check out the link in our bio to learn more and book in advance!⁠
⁠ . .⁠
Images Descriptions:
1) Infographic image - Coming up at Chesterwood with dates event titles and the additional images noted below.
2) photo of a woman (Tina Packer) on stage
3) Sculpture by Natalie Tyler titled "Kaleidoscope” installed in a tree at Chesterwood; photo by
4) Photo of Artist in Residence, Nilda Comas working in the Chesterwood Morris Center Studio
5)Historic, early 20th century, black and white photo of 6 men (The Piccirillis)

Tonight’s 5:30 Event with Tanglewood Institute is in the Studio & Still On!!!
🎼🎹🎻

Meet our Artist-in-Residence Nilda Comas!
Sunday, July 21 at 1:00pm Free Artist's Talk
*|https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/nilda-comas|*

Pictured here is Daniel Chester French and his only child, Margaret, sculpting in the Chesterwood Studio. DCF is working on ‘Brooklyn” while Margaret is sculpting a portrait bust. It is due to Margaret’s dedication to preserving her father’s work and legacy that Chesterwood exists as an historic site for public touring today! ⁠ . .⁠
Margaret French Cresson and Daniel Chester French working in the Chesterwood Studio, circa 1926 courtesy of⁠
Chesterwood Archives, Chapin Library, Williams College

Fun Activities for all coming up at Chesterwood:⁠
⁠
🔵Every Sat & Sun - 10am-Noon - Join Chesterwood staff for a facilitated, intergenerational artmaking activity! This is a FREE program for all children 15 and under and up to four adults. ⁠Participation in Art Lab activities counts as Site Admission for those who wish to take Studio or Residence tours - sign up for tours online or at our Visitor Center!⁠ We can't wait to create with you! ⁠
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🔵Sun 7/14- Join Artist, Peter Barrett for a tour of our 2024 site-specific contemporary outdoor sculpture exhibition and discussion about his work!
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🔵Wed 7/17- Arts Alive! Presents The Tanglewood Music Center Fellows performance of "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight"
This is a free community performance and a collaboration between the Tanglewood Learning Institute and Chesterwood. Suggested donation $10.
Seating is limited, reservations are required.
Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight is a chamber cantata based on a 1914 poem by American poet Vachel Lindsay. It portrays Abraham Lincoln walking the streets of Springfield, Illinois, stirred from his eternal sleep, a man, who even in death, is burdened by the tragedies of the modern world. The poem was set to music in 1953 by American composer Roy Ellsworth Harris (1898 – 1979) who wrote music on many American subjects and is best known for his Symphony No. 3.
⁠
🔵Wed-Mon All Season- Enjoy guided tours of the French's studio and the newly re-opened historic family residence with our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides!
⁠ . .⁠
Images Descriptions:
1) Infographic image - Coming up at Chesterwood with dates event titles and the additional 3 images noted below.
2) Youth making arts and crafts projects in the Chesterwood Art Lab
3) Sculpture by Peter Barrett titled "King and Queen" on the lawn at Chesterwood; photo by
4) Photo of Daniel Chester French's 6 ft. model of the seated Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial, on view in the Chesterwood Studio.

Memberships Matters. Here's Why. *|https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/membership-matters|*

Artist-Led Tours, Tanglewood Fellows and Shakespeare's Tina Packer - *|https://www.chesterwood.org|*

Happy 4th of July from your friends at Chesterwood!

{Image: Black & white photograph of French’s Minute Man statue, with an overlay of the American Flag in the background. Image from the Chesterwood Archives, Chapin Library, Williams College; Gift of the National Trust for Historic Preservation / Chesterwood}

Artists' lead tours of Contemporary Sculpture Show, Tanglewood Music Center Fellows in the Studio, and Shakespeare & Co. in the garden - *|www.chesterwood.org|*

Making art at Chesterwood!!!

46th Annual Contemporary Outdoor Sculpture Show to open this Saturday 🤩 - https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces.org/ian-spencer-bell-june-17386080

We are delighted to welcome 3 artists this summer through our partnership with Berkshire Artists Residency program . The view from each studio is stunning! Can’t wait to see what you do .strack

Ian Spencer Bell reprises Isadora Duncan at Chesterwood, kicking off Arts Alive! summer season The show was the first in a full season of artistic performances at Chesterwood. Arts Alive! continues French’s tradition of inviting artists of all genres to share their creativity and gather inspiration at Chesterwood.

Have you been thinking about becoming a Friend of Chesterwood? ⁠
Chesterwood memberships help support the preservation of Daniel Chester French’s home, studio and gardens as a site for creativity for all to enjoy! ⁠
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Join today to enjoy:⁠
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⛲FREE admission to Chesterwood’s buildings and grounds ⁠
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🛍Discount in the Chesterwood Gift Shop and Online Shop⁠
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🎟️FREE or discounted admission to special events and programs⁠
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📜Subscription to Chesterwood’s quarterly newsletter, The Pedestal⁠
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🤝Automatic membership enrollment with the National Trust for Historic Preservation which includes a one-year subscription to their quarterly magazine, Preservation⁠
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🏙️Discounted admission at 28 other National Trust sites across America, and a discount at their museum shops⁠
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🏰Special member rates at participating Historic Hotels of America, and much more!⁠
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➡️Sign up today via the link in our bio!

We are celebrating here at Chesterwood, begining with a new series of Evening Explorations Tours, small groups after hours concluding with prosecco and conversation on the Studio Piazza. Our first "Q***r Whispers in Fairyland" is sold out for tomorrow, but sign up today for our other offerings of this brand new tour running Wednesdays for the rest of month!

Tickets available at: https://trytn.com/en/Chesterwood/details/8cfb370d-7324-4a15-9442-20a014c05b22?typeofproduct=activity

Daniel Chester French, a meticulous molder of monumental images, carefully crafted the public persona which helped him become one of the most successful American sculptors of his time. Dive beneath Daniel Chester French’s ‘straight-laced’ exterior to explore the ‘q***r whispers’ he left behind for us to puzzle over.
🔍 Become a Q***r History Detective: Make use of the tools offered by q***r historiography as we dissect French's life and works to reveal the complexities of his era and identity.
🎨 Explore French's Artistic Expression: Decode the sensual masterpieces of a sculptor who meticulously crafted monumental images, each hiding layers of meaning beneath the surface.
👥 Uncover Forgotten Relationships: Dive deep into French's complex – but often-overlooked – friendship with artist Newton Mackintosh, spanning over four decades, and challenge the assumptions of his straightness.
🤔 Question Presumptions, Make Your Own Determination: Engage in thought-provoking discussions and examine the evidence, as we encourage you to form your own conclusions about the extent of French's possible q***rness

🎉Our Arts Alive! Series is back and we are kicking things off with Ian Spencer Bell this Saturday, June 8 at 5:30pm, performing Isadora Duncan’s ‘The Many Faces of Love’ along with additional original choreography!
🪴 The captivating gardens of Chesterwood are the perfect setting for our community to bond over our shared love for the arts. Participating is a breeze with affordable ticket prices. Plus, who wouldn’t enjoy the chance to mingle with the artists over complimentary prosecco at the post-performance reception? It’s all about enjoying art, making connections, and having fun!

We can’t wait to see you Saturday!
Tickets may be booked in advance at www.Chesterwood.org

Chesterwood, the historic home, studio and gardens of sculptor Daniel Chester French, presents a special program with Ian Spencer Bell to kick off the fourth season of the Arts Alive! performance series on June 8th at 5:30 p.m. https://www.chesterwood.org/arts-alive-2024

Join us in our new Art Lab every Saturday & Sunday this season from 10am-noon for intergenerational artmaking, hosted by one of our experienced staff! Make your own monument, or work with others to design something unique!

This is a free program for all children 15 and under and up to four adults.

Participation in Art Lab activities counts as Site Admission for those who wish to take Studio or Residence tours - sign up up for tours online or at our Visitor Center!

We can't wait to create with you!

Today we’re introducing our second Berkshire Artist-in-Residence, Grigori Fateyev, who will also be hosted at Chesterwood this summer!

Grigori Fateyev, RA, was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he studied Theater Set Design at The State Institute of Theater, Music, and Cinematography. He graduated from Cooper Union School of Architecture in 1998 and is the principal and owner of Art Forms Architecture (AFORMSA).

During the past 25 years, he has designed multiple residential, commercial, and municipal projects in the Berkshires, Hudson Valley, and New York City. He also serves as a curator at Turn Park Art Space in West Stockbridge, MA, and has lectured and exhibited his designs at UMass Amherst.

Fateyev’s work centers on developing contextual and contemporary architectural solutions for cultural institutions, museums, artist studios, private art collections, and performance art centers. As a part of his practice, Fateyev collaborates with artists on a variety of site-specific art installations, public sculptures, and exhibitions.

Stay tuned throughout the summer for updates on Grigori’s residency at Chesterwood!

As our 2024 Berkshire Artist Residency Program kicks off next week, we’re excited to further introduce each of our five resident artists to you this week!

Today we’re introducing our first artist, Dai Ban, who will be one of three artists-in-residence at Chesterwood this summer!

Dai Ban is a visual artist who grew up in Tokyo, Japan. He holds a BFA in sculpture from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and has had numerous group and individual shows both in New York City, Hudson, NY, and the Berkshires. Ban came to Brooklyn, NY in the 80’s to work as a model-maker in the TV, magazine, and film industry. After a stay in the Berkshires for a film project, Ban fell in love with the rural life setting and has never looked back.

Ban started working with his hands at a young age. He chose molding clay over toys; making drawings over reading books. In the third grade, he saw his grandfather construct a beautiful bird cage from a single piece of bamboo, using just a few simple hand tools. Witnessing this, Ban realized that anything is possible. Accordingly, Ban hesitates to limit what kind of art he does. His practice has included jewelry, scenic designs, ceramics, figurative sculptures, abstract sculptures, video images, and photography.

Since the summer of 2023, Ban has taken a new direction with his sculpture. Its previous straight lines and flat planes have given way to contoured forms that invite touch and personal engagement. He is excited to turn his hand to porcelain, and rigid, high-density foam, in a project of rediscovering curve and contour.

Stay tuned throughout the summer for updates on Dai’s residency at Chesterwood!