In 1989 Richard Britell and Gabrielle Senza opened Spazi Contemporary Art in a beautiful, expansive space in the Barbieri Lumber Mill in Housatonic. This summer Lauren Clark Fine Art will pay tribute to a few of the artists she encountered when she moved to the Berkshires that same year.
Officially opening July 11th but much of it previewing 4th of July weekend is an exciting show of new work by six of the many artists who showed at Spazi from the late 80’s through the late 90’s. These six artists, Cynthia Atwood, Richard Britell, Reginald Madison, Geoffrey Moss, Gabrielle Senza, and Joe Wheaton who showed 20+ years ago at Spazi are all still working, relevant, artists showing in the Berkshires and beyond.
Excerpted musings on Spazi by two of the artists-
from Richard Britell, “FIRST SHOW: It was decided to use the huge loft space to present an art exhibit of the works of all the artists who happened to be living in the village at that time. It was a show of 13 artists. They were all neighbors and friends. The show was a gigantic and unexpectedly successful event for all involved. Nothing was sold, but it was the sudden birth of an art gallery and an artist community. That is how Spazi began”.
from Geoffrey Moss, “The temptation offered by Spazi’s lofty space urged that I “Fill the Gallery”. The Director’s wisdom prevailed over my impulse to fill some 7,000 square feet of Gallery; wrong time for ego excess. They allowed the space to work, to harmonize with the pieces. Finally a Massachusetts debut; August 31st- November 4, 1996; new large-scale works, with canvases still wet from the studio. I would be showing my Iceberg Series, works on paper, a few from a recent solo show in New York, and a separate Gallery area space given to “My Grandfathers Chair,” Brooklyn memories of my Grandpa’s East 18th Street morning prayers, traditionally orthodox, exotic, brooding, Talis Tsfellin, a less complicated Brooklyn before Brooklyn became Artisanal, Hipster, Chic”.
There will be five special events associated with the show including artists talks, panel discussions, digital visual projections by Joe Wheaton and a performance with Gabrielle Senza. See below for details.
Friday, July 10, 7-8:30pm
Panel Discussion with Warner Friedman, Geoffrey Moss and Joe Wheaton, moderated by Robin Schmitt
Join us for refreshments and a digital visual projection presentation with Joe Wheaton immediately after the talk.
Reception for the Artists:
Saturday, July 11, 4-7pm
Friday, July 17, 7-8:30pm
Panel Discussion with Cynthia Atwood, Reggie Madison and Gabrielle Senza, moderated by Beck Balken
Join us for refreshments and a digital visual projection presentation with Joe Wheaton immediately after the talk.
Saturday, August 1, 6-7:30pm
Artist’s Talk with Richard Britell
Sunday, August 2, 3-5:30pm
Artist’s Talk with Gabrielle Senza
