Visiting Galleries, Chatting with An Artist on a Sunday Afternoon
Art seems to be alive and everywhere in the Tristate region now. A group of women visiting the area for lunch stopped at Furnace in Falls Village — and had the chance to meet artist Stephen Maine, who showed them some of the works he has now at the gallery. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Visiting Galleries, Chatting with An Artist on a Sunday Afternoon

Kathleen Kucka was sitting quietly, listening to jazz and minding her own business at Furnace/Art on Paper Archive in Falls Village, Conn., on Sunday afternoon, May 16, when a reporter barged in asking impertinent questions, such as, “How’s it going? Sell anything?”

The reply was in the affirmative. Kucka said a couple of pieces from the current show by Stephen Maine had sold.

Then three women from New York City showed up. They had driven up from Brooklyn, had a bit of lunch at the Mountainside Cafe on Route 7, and then came over to see Kucka and the new gallery at 107 Main St.

“We’re having what my mother would call ‘a ladies’ toot,’” said one of them.

And to put the butter on the spinach, Stephen Maine the artist arrived a few minutes after the tooters. 

Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, and then the visitors began asking questions about the art.

The artist was happy to oblige, taking out pieces from the flat file to illustrate his points.

It was a very pleasant scene.

To find out the gallery hours, go to www.furnace-artonpaperarchive.com.

Latest News

Red Sox end season with comeback win

Red Sox end season with comeback win

NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.

Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.

Keep ReadingShow less
little league

State Rep. Horn injured in running accident

State Rep. Horn injured in running accident

State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.

Photo by John Coston

The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.

Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.

Keep ReadingShow less
people

Walk-off win sends Pirates to championship

Walk-off win sends Pirates to championship

Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.

Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.

Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.

Keep ReadingShow less
little league

Kevin Kelly’s After Hours

Kevin Kelly’s After Hours

Kevin Kelly

Photo by Christopher Delarosa
“I was exposed to that cutthroat, ‘Yes, chef’ culture. It’s not for me. I don’t want anyone apologizing for who they are or what they love.”— Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly doesn’t call himself a chef; he prefers “cook.” His business, After Hours, based in Great Barrington, operates as what Kelly calls “a restaurant without a home,” a pop-up dining concept that prioritizes collaboration over competition, flexibility over permanence, and accessibility over exclusivity.

Kelly grew up in Great Barrington and has roots in the Southern Berkshires that go back ten generations. He began working in restaurants at age 14. “I started at Allium and was hooked right off the bat,” he said. He worked across the region from Cantina 229 in New Marlborough to The Old Inn on the Green at Jacob’s Pillow before heading to Babson College in Boston to study business. After a few years in Boston kitchens, he returned home to open a restaurant. But the math didn’t work. “The traditional model just didn’t feel financially sustainable,” he said. “So, I took a step back and asked, ‘If that doesn’t work, then what does?’”

Keep ReadingShow less
restaurants