Downstreet Art opens tonight!

The real fun of the summer begins tonight, Downstreet Art, North Adams. I will be there, at PRESS, and out and about from time to time on the street celebrating with the hundreds of art-loving people who will come out for the night.

Looking at a test of some plates last summer.

When PRESS opened its doors a year ago, I had no idea that the project would become a cornerstone on Main Street, at least for a little while. I stumbled upon this quote by Colin Powell, “A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” The dream of PRESS began twenty years ago, as I thought about my life and wondered how I could bring art and community outreach together. I spent the first couple of years out of college as a Jesuit Volunteer and then a Peace Corps Volunteer. This history of my “do-good-works” as my father calls them, instilled in me this need to bring art to others. Up until now it has been mostly through teaching, but in the past year, that evolved to the PRESS project. Tuesday was a dream day for me at PRESS. Two different artists worked with me at PRESS to either plan their print or print their print, while Team PRESS, Associate Gallery Manager Pam Buchanan, BHIP Intern Sharbreon Plummer and MCLA Intern Andy Cross installed, cleaned and did whatever it took to get the space ready for tonight’s opening. It’s looking so great, and tonight’s celebration will just be plain fun. I remember being so nervous about the project starting last year, and Doug encouraging me to manifest. Manifest Fun. Manifest Faith. Manifest Calm. Manifest Peace. Manifest Love. And that’s what I did, and continue to try to do everyday.

Manifest. Available at PRESS.

Hope we see you tonight!