Theater professor Jeremy Winchester holds the phone so Patricia Holt can get in the picture. He and Jerome Socolof, right, chair of the Arts Management Department, were involved in the center's design.
The center, funded in large part by California artist and writer Carolyn Kleefeld, will stand at the corner of Church and Porter Street and across from the college's Church Street Center.
"This has been a three-year collaborative effort among people who love art, love MCLA and who love the enduring promise of creativity and innovation as a foundation to advancing the best of society and liberal arts education," said President Jamie Birge at Wednesday's ceremonial groundbreaking.
"We would not be gathered here today absent the vision and generosity of Carolyn Kleefeld. Carolyn's generative thinking, coupled with her philanthropic ethic, brought us together to envision a space that will allow MCLA students and faculty to experiment with that pedagogy and disciplinary creativity. I think this project is one of the most exciting of my time here."
The London-born contemporary artist grew up in California and studied art and psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. She has written 25 books of on poetry, art and reflection. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in a line of fine art cards.
The arts center proposal hasn't been without some pushback, with some questioning Kleefeld's intentions — the building will host rotating exhibits of her artworks and poetry as part of its curriculum — and the long-term programming and maintenance costs. Kleefeld's gift will be used to sustain the center for at least three years.
College officials have described the center as a "dynamic and flexible space" for student artists to showcase in-progress and completed work, supported by peer and faculty critiques. It will house the Alma Benedetti Teaching Artists-in-Residence (named for the 1937 alum and longtime North Adams art teacher) and student artists-in-residence.
The building will take the place of Gallery 51 that the college has operated on Main Street for two decades.
"I'm thankful to her for recognizing the role of MCLA in our community and the importance of a liberal arts education. This project is a testament to her vision and aligns perfectly with the mission of MCLA," said Board of Trustees Chair Buffy Lord.
The gift, suggested at nearly $10 million, and planning have been through the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation Inc. and Birge pointed to foundation Chair Timothy Cherubini, Lord and past trustees chair Mohan Boodram for their advocacy. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Fine and Performing Arts Department in the center's design and development.
"A project like this benefits from multiple perspectives, a truly liberal arts effort. I'm glad to say that the inputs, ideas and ideals they offer underpin our commitment to elevate the nature of youth and broad learning at a liberal arts college," said Birge.
State Sen. Paul Mark's Director of Communications Casey Pease congratulated the college and Kleefeld's generosity, saying, "the Kleefeld Center will stand as both a cultural landmark and a teaching laboratory, a space where students, artists and the community can collaborate and bring new ideas to life. ...
"I think in this moment, we can all agree, at this moment in history, when so much feels divided and uncertain and sometimes even bleak, that investing in the arts could not be more important."
Kleefeld was not able to attend the groundbreaking and was represented by fellow artist and curator Georgia Freedman-Harvey, as well as her friend and artist Patricia Holt, who participated via Facebook.
The 7,000-square-foot center will require the demolition of 94 and 100 Porter St., former single-family residences that have been utilized for MCLA office space for years. Their razing has been approved by the Historical Commission but Robert Ziomek, vice president for institutional advancement, said if some of the original bricks from the old Mark Hopkins School are found they will be put to some use and plaques will be installed about notable residents and an acknowledgement that it had been the Stockbridge-Munsee nation's land.
Demolition is expected to be completed in March with construction to follow. The art center is set expected open in September 2027. Jones Whitsett Architects is the designer and Skanska is the general contractor.
Birge, Cherubini, Freedman-Harvey, Lord, and Pease donned blue hardhats and dug into a pile of dirt with bright silver shovels — with Murdock the mountain lion and Ziomek overseeing the work.
The artist sees the center as an artistic awakening, a pebble in creating ripples in a pond, said Freedman-Harvey, reading from a statement by Kleefeld. "My wish is to give MCLA the opportunity to expand the arts curriculum, including the development of a multidisciplinary approach to learning and further fostering originality and freedom and artistic expression."
It will be a springboard to creativity and add to the enrichment of "the vibrant arts community in North Adams and the surrounding areas," she wrote.
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