'Shedding Light': Public art project looks back and forward for Amherst's 250th

By Bonnie Wells
Staff Writer

Published on February 13, 2009

On a frigid Friday night late last month, a small but hardy crowd turned out at the Swartz family farm in Amherst for a sneak preview of a public art project planned as a finale to Amherst's 250th anniversary celebration this year.

As the dusk deepened, the tobacco barn that Joe and Sarah Swartz call "the far shed" was transformed into a gigantic lantern. With its ventilation panels opened, and lit from within, it sent broad beams of light deep into the surrounding fields, picking up the contours and glint of the snow.

The art installation "Shedding Light" aims to look back at the town's history of farming and ahead to the rise of green energy. It's the brainchild of Amherst architect Erika Zekos.

"I moved to Amherst five years ago from Boston and fell in love with the tobacco barns," Zekos said. "I was surprised to learn that our tobacco is prized around the world."

Then Zekos discovered that the design of the area barns is unique to the Pioneer Valley. "It has to do with the craft and materials of the people who began tobacco farming in the area 200 years ago," she said. "In the South, they made taller barns in a different shape."

As she held in her mind the dual ideas of tobacco barns and honoring Amherst's agricultural heritage for the 250th, "Immediately what came to mind was a lantern," Zekos said. The plan is to display the light show throughout the month of December and then turn the lights off as the 250th anniversary year ends at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31.

"In a winter landscape the light would be exquisite, and like so much of my work it would draw attention to the beauty of the landscape, the importance of agriculture and the architecture as well with one kind of beautiful brush."

Zekos said the project is about looking back at history, but it's also about looking ahead. The lights will be powered with a photovoltaic (solar panel) array, which will be donated to the Swartzes at the end of the project.

"It's like a dream for us," said Sarah Swartz, who is the vice chair of the Amherst Agricultural Commission. On the project's Web site, www. sheddinglightamherst.blogspot.com, she elaborates. "This particular art proposal means so much to us because it reinforces the special place agriculture has in the history of the town of Amherst and also the imporin that history."

Zekos and the Amherst Public Art Commission are working with a host of collaborators to put the public squarely in public art.

Bruce Wallace of Theatrix Inc. in Belchertown has been consulting on the lighting. At the preview, he set up one of the 12 150-watt CDM (ceramic high-intensity metal halide) lamps planned to light the 150- by 40-foot barn. It's one of the latest "green energy" bulb designs.

"CDM has no mercury," said Wallace, "so it's an eco-friendly bulb, and it uses less energy than what it takes to run your refrigerator."

At the University of Massachusetts, David Damery, director of building materials and wood technology in the department of natural resources, is working with a cadre of students to design the photovoltaic array.

Town Manager Larry Shaffer has given invaluable assistance and advice, and the Amherst Cultural Council has awarded its largest grant this year, $1,500, to the project.

Zekos is also talking with the Youth Action Coalition to invite the organization's young photographers to capture the project in still photography. YAC is an Amherst-based non-profit organization that offers programs and activities designed to promote creative expression, self-esteem, leadership skills and youth activism.

Finally, wünderarts, a gallery of contemporary art on Main St., will provide the project additional life by exhibiting the photos and other artifacts of "Shedding Light" once the monthlong display is complete.

"So many parts of the community are working together to make this happen," said Terry Rooney, chair of the public art commisssion. "It's an example of art making the world a better place."

As the plan evolves this year, organizers are working to add to the cultural council's $1,500 grant with at least $20,000 to purchase the solar panels and more to rent or purchase the "green" lights they'll power during the display month. As Rooney puts it, in addition to applying for grants, they're looking for "art angels," "green angels" or "farm angels" to help make the project happen.

"We want to close out the anniversary year celebrating public art, community, sustainable design and agriculture," Zekos said. "Light represents hope, and public art has a way of bringing a community together around ideas that communication or politics just can't do on their own."

For more information or to offer help, Rooney can be contacted at (413) 253-2708 or by email at trooney@comcast.net.