Renowned Printmaker to Return to MCLA Campus

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces the return of renowned printmaker, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. to North Adams for events taking place from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24.  
 
Kennedy's visit begins with a meet and greet print session on Oct. 22 at the PRESS Room in Bowman Hall Room 301/303 from 2 to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.  
 
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Kennedy will participate in MCLA's annual Day of Dialogue with a talk about his work and its relation to this year's theme, "Reclaiming Lost Narratives," which is centered around cultural erasure, stated a press release.
 
"I put ink on paper for the glory of my peoples. The words of my people have largely been excluded from fine print. I defy this condition and force my peoples' presence into this part of this civilization's culture," said Kennedy.  
 
A variety of Kennedy's letterpress work is currently on display at the Bowman Atrium Gallery on MCLA's campus. Visitors to the exhibit and participants in MCLA's Day of Dialogue will be invited to contribute to the exhibit by visually describing feelings of
erasure and writing to their past self on a piece of paper that will be folded up, crumpled and added to the exhibit.  
 
Kennedy's visit to North Adams will culminate with an event for his newly released book,"Citizen Printer" at MASS MoCA's Research and Development Store on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m., where he will be in conversation with MCLA Professor of Art, Melanie Mowinski, discussing topics such as perfection, failure, and letterpress printing. This event is free for members of the museum and $5 for non-members.  
 
Amos Kennedy Jr. is a printmaker born in Lafayette, Los Angeles, currently based in Detroit who owns and operates the print studio Kennedy Prints. Kennedy had a full career in the corporate world until he discovered letterpress printing in his forties, prompting him to leave his job at AT&T and receive an MFA in graphic design at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 
 
All these events are a part of Print Isn't Dead, a project initiated by MCLA Professor Mowinski; and funded in part by a Hardman Initiative Grant and the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a division of the Mass Cultural Council. 

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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