WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - "This space is the first new gallery space at the Clark in over ten years," said senior curator Richard Rand.
He's talking about the $25 million, state of the art building called the Stone Hill Center. Perched up high on a hill at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, the 32,000 square foot space is only part one of this work of art.
"It's come in on budget and on time, which we're very happy with because it's the first step to a second phase which will increase our gallery space and visitor services down on our main campus," said Rand.
Deciding whether to visit a museum or go for a hike through the mountains may be a decision you and your family have thought about this summer. But as Ryan Burgess tells us, there's one cultural hotspot in the Berkshires where combing art and the outdoors is just the nature of their business.
The Clark raised most of the money needed for construction through a fundraising effort called its Capital Campaign. Thanks to that money, the finishing touches here include some interesting innovations.
"We're using heating from geothermal wells. We've attempted to try to make it as green a building as possible in terms of light and heat," said The Clark Deputy Director Tony King.
As part of the unique design of this building, the architects wanted to find a simple way to combine art with nature. So far, they think they have a masterpiece.
"The effect of this building on the visitor experience has been to open up the nature of wonderful New England countryside to the experience of the visitor. So when you come to The Clark, you see great works of art, but you also revel in the beautiful natural surroundings," said Rand.
The nature of this business is beauty. That's why they hope while walking along their nature paths, the surroundings are something you won't walk away from.