Exhibit highlighting Eastern European immigrants comes to LAVA Center
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host “New Roots in River Banks: Polish and Other Eastern Immigrant Stories,” an exhibit exploring these histories by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
“New Roots” explores the history of the Polish and Eastern European farmers of Franklin County, their arrival in the United States in the late 19th century, and their process of settling and thriving in the Connecticut River Valley.
A work of family genealogy, “New Roots” draws on historical and personal family documents, photographs and other aspects of material culture to present the experience of three Eastern European immigrant families. The Skibkicki/Skibiski family farmed in Sunderland, the Sojka family settled in Turners Falls, and the Grzesik family settled in Holyoke and worked the factories there. This exhibit chronicles their journey from Poland and Ukraine to America and their lives in the U.S.
“New Roots” was the result of a Mass Humanities Expand Massachusetts Stories grant. The exhibit was most recently on display at Holyoke Heritage State Park and will be at The LAVA Center through May.
For more information, visit thelavacenter.org/humanities/new-roots-in-river-banks-polish-immigrant-stories.
Opening reception planned for ‘New England Dreamscapes’ exhibit
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host an opening reception for its latest art exhibit, “New England Dreamscapes: New Paintings on Slate” by Sarah Adam, on Saturday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The exhibit will be on display throughout March and April, and a closing reception is planned for Friday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Adam, in an artist’s statement, said, “I am an interpreter of stories found in slate stone, unearthed from the forest floors of central New England. … My early paintings were kept minimal, not wanting to interrupt the natural beauty of the slate itself. As I allowed my palette to bloom, I embraced the unique shapes in each shard, excited to discover the hidden landscape in each piece.”
For more information, visit thelavacenter.org/exhibits/sarah-adam.
