Zucco Opening Gallery 37By Jen Thomas
03:48PM / Thursday, June 07, 2007
 | | "History of Women" by Joshua Griffit is among the works to be displayed at Gallery 37. [Photo by Jen Thomas] |
Williamstown – A new art gallery will join a growing list of Northern Berkshire destinations this month as Dalton native Ron Zucco prepares to open “Gallery 37†at 37 Spring St.
"This gallery’s function is to give the people in town, and the surrounding areas, new and exciting art to choose from," said Zucco in a Thursday morning interview at the gallery space.
Gallery 37
Gallery 37 will boast approximately 100 pieces from 10 different artists, including photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry and furniture. Featured artists include local painter Marguerite Bride, Benjamin Levy, Joshua Griffit, Avri Ohana, Tonino Caputo, Sam Grigorian, Alexander Kaletski, Anthony Beverly, Talia Segal Fidler, and Sandra Goodkind.
"Each particular artist has their own style," said Zucco. "There is no one specific kind of art."
The gallery will officially open on June 16 with a grand opening reception.
Zucco began working on opening a gallery at the space in January, at the insistence of friend Diane Schreiber, who has a home in New Lebanon, N.Y.. Working as partners, with Schreiber acting as the CEO and Zucco as the chief operating officer, the pair hope to share a passion for art.
"I’m just a lover of arts and a collector," said Schreiber. "The idea just popped up and we said ‘Let’s open a gallery.’"
"[Schreiber] really wanted to do this; it’s a real passion for her," said Zucco.
Locating the gallery in Williamstown was a combination of familiarity and personal affection. Zucco previously owned Berkshire Frameworks in Pittsfield, but closed it in January to concentrate on his cafe, A Perfect Blend. The coffee house was destroyed in a March 29 Spring Street fire that closed three businesses indefinitely.
Zucco refused to talk about the fire, preferring instead to talk about his latest venture.
"I’ve been in the art business for 12 years, and I really wanted to open a gallery," said Zucco.
Zucco said he doesn’t feel any competitive pressures from other art galleries in the area.
"We aren’t trying to compete with anyone," he said. "Williamstown is a great artist community, and there’s always a need for another gallery."
Gallery 37 will focus on featuring numerous works from "worldwide, famous published artists," said Zucco. All of the 100 pieces currently selected for exhibition at the gallery were chosen by Schreiber, who knew all of the artists personally.
"Our goal is to enjoy the arts, have other people enjoy our choices, expand, and everyone wants to make money," said Schreiber.
The grand opening for Gallery 37 will take place June 16, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at 37 Spring St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m -5 a.m. weekdays. Gallery 37 can be reached at 458-3700.
Jen Thomas may be reached via e-mail at jtomas@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 23. |
