Battling the pull of a dangerous undertow, rescuers struggle to bring two women safely to shore, their heavy, waterlogged bathing dresses threatening to drag them beneath the waves. The figures feel almost sculptural, their strong, muscular forms modeled after Greek marble statues. In 1883, Winslow Homer witnessed a dramatic seaside rescue near Atlantic City, New Jersey, an event said to have inspired this gripping painting.
Image: Winslow Homer, Undertow, 1886, oil on canvas. The Clark, 1955.4
We are delighted to announce that Georgina Kleege has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing. An acclaimed essayist, cultural critic, and disability studies scholar, Kleege’s work has significantly influenced contemporary conversations about blindness and visual culture.
Learn more: https://www.clarkart.edu/.../Clark.../2026-GEORGINA-KLEEGE
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Join us for an engaging evening of art, history, and conservation as this year’s Lenett Fellow, Charlie Kong (Williams College M.A. Class of 2026), shares the fascinating story behind a remarkable nineteenth-century water cooler and the hands-on conservation work that brought new understanding to the object Monday, May 18 at 5:30 pm in the Hunter Studio!
During his fellowship, Kong investigated a rare flint enamel ware water cooler from the collection of the Bennington Museum, produced by the United States Pottery Company. Octagonal in form, the vessel offered a rich opportunity to explore craftsmanship, materials, and historical context. Through research, close study of comparable objects, and collaboration with conservators and curators, Kong worked alongside conservator Lindsay Ryder at the Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center (W+AACC) to uncover how the object was made and how best to preserve it.
Learn about the careful conservation process from surface cleaning and the removal of earlier repairs to stabilizing fragile areas. Discover how art history and conservation come together to reveal new stories.
A reception follows the event. Details: events.clarkart.edu
Image: Lenett Fellow Charlie Kong examines a ceramic water cooler at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center. Photo by Peter Mahoney
Stop by and see the latest Paginations, "Gridlocked: The Geometry of Weaving" before it weaves its way out on May 17! Discover the art and science of weaving through a fascinating mix of manuals, pattern books, textile samples, and artists’ books. The display explores the many threads of weaving, celebrating both the intentional designs and surprising geometries that emerge through the process.
Drawn from the Clark library’s collections and curated by library staff, this free display is open to all.
Image: Silk brocade sample book. Paris, 1886
Experience "Ground/work 2025" in a whole new way! Join Grammy award-winning composer and conductor Brad Wells for an immersive stroll through art, nature, and sound as you explore the trails and sculptures.
Using a specially created soundscape, you’ll wander through the exhibition with fresh ears and new perspectives. Bring your headphones and download the free ECHOES app before you arrive for the full experience. We’ll meet at the Javier Senosiain sculpture by Schow Pond and let the journey unfold.
Free, but registration is required. Register: events.clarkart.edu
Happy Mother’s Day from the Clark! 🌷 Spend the day celebrating with the people you love surrounded by art and nature in the Berkshires.
Pick up a special themed gallery guide exploring motherhood in all its forms, featuring works by artists like Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, and more. Stroll our scenic campus, experience "Ground/work 2025," and soak in the season in bloom.
Saxophonist, composer, and sonic explorer Cole Pulice crafts music that feels like stepping into another world. 🎷 ✨
On “Land’s End Eternal,” their first album for @LeavingRecords , the Oakland-based artist expands their compositional palette beyond signal-processed saxophone to include layers of electric guitar and lush choral arrangements. The six-part album drifts between meditative and mesmerizing, inviting listeners to get wonderfully lost along the way.
Tickets: events.clarkart.edu
The Clark is proud to be part of ArtWeek Berkshires, the county-wide celebration of creativity happening May 15–25 #intheberkshires. From inspiring exhibitions to unforgettable experiences, artistic discovery awaits around every corner.
Come celebrate the creativity that makes the Berkshires shine!
Details: events.clarkart.edu
Image: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Woman with a Fan, c. 1879, oil on canvas. The Clark, 1955.595
Mother’s Day is almost here, celebrate her with something as special as she is! 💐
Our TYPESCRIPTS scarf, designed by Raffaella della Olga, is the perfect artful gift to wrap her in style, color, and creativity. 💕
Shop for all things mom and more: store.clarkart.edu
Celebrate Mother's Day with a concert of chamber music featuring the talented students of Williams College Chamber Music Dept in the program to include wonderful music by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and more!
Details: events.clarkart.edu
Rehearsals for “Happy End” are heating up! This Saturday, May 9, the Glimmerglass Festival performs the early-twentieth-century classic at the Clark. Step into a smoky speakeasy where deals go down and souls get saved.🍸✨
This early 20th-century cult classic was so bold it was banned after just two performances in 1929 Berlin and it still packs a punch. With sharp satire, shadowy intrigue, and a score that sticks with you "Happy End" delivers wit, grit, and a whole lot of dark glamour.
See the exciting new collaboration between @glimmerglassfestival and @opera.saratoga in the Manton Research Center auditorium this Saturday, May 9 at 3 pm. Tickets: events.clarkart.edu
Images: Brent DeLanoy/The Glimmerglass Festival
