The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice each year to artists and arts groups from both state and locally-raised funds, and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its' goals include maintaining and preserving the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northampton, programming such annual events of interest to the community as First Night Northampton and Transperformance.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Unveiling of Gregory Stone’s Sculpture “Hope”

On Friday November 11, 2016 at 3:00 PM a new sculpture titled “Hope” by late artist Greg Stone will be unveiled on the lawn outside the Hampshire County Courthouse in the center of downtown Northampton. Members of Stone’s family will be in attendance to unveil the sculpture.

Stone, a prolific artist known for his unflinching urban landscapes, luminous portraits of ordinary people, and expressionist bronze sculptures, passed away September 29th of cancer after a long and public career in the Valley.


Here, in his own words, is Stone’s inspiration for the sculpture:
"The news of our world is filled with conflict and uncertainty, but our region offers reasons for hope. Recently, 12-year-old Saraphina Forman of Northampton organized a walk to benefit the Rainforest Trust. And 8-year-old Lavery Greenfield of Hatfield organized her second annual Food Drive to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.The compassion of our young people has served as my inspiration for the public art installation on the grounds of the Old Courthouse site at 99 Main Street. My vision is of a 48" bronze sculpture of a young girl rescuing an injured dove. The figure represents all young people in our community whose good work is having an extraordinary impact, and the dove represents our compassion and vision of peace for the future."

Throughout his career, he captured the vernacular in his art, including buildings on fire, disabled veterans and ordinary people at work. Stone gained accolades for his portraits of great blues musicians, homeless people on the streets of Northampton and his “Baseball” exhibit memorializing players and the game.


Greg Stone was a familiar figure in Northampton, where his art can be seen everywhere from local restaurants to the pool of the YMCA to Main Street. Join us in celebrating a great artist who left his mark on this community, with the unveiling of his final work in the heart of downtown Northampton.

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