Montague Cultural Council 2025 Kick-Off Reception

Thursday, February 20, 2025, 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Montague Cultural Council 2025 Kick-Off Reception: An Evening Smorgasbord of Culture in Action. Please join us from 6:00-8:00 at the Shea Theater.

The Montague Cultural Council is pleased to host a reception to announce their 2025 grant recipients on Thursday, February 20 from 6-8pm at the Shea Theater. This event will honor the work of artists and arts organizations who provide substantial public benefit to Montague residents and are committed to the goal of fostering a more equitable and resilient community. The event will feature presentations and live performances by Cloudbelly, Shea Theater and Arts, Antennae Cloud Farm, Good Music Makes Good Neighbors, Weathervane Community Arts, RiverCulture, The Nolumbeka Project, Musica Franklin, Real Live Theater, RPM Fest, Alexis Hott, “Customers from Hell” and more.

The lobby of the Shea Theater will host a Black History Month exhibition by three visual artists and former James Weldon Johnson fellows Kamil Peters, Noland Anderson, Mecina Gomes. Kamil Peters is a contemporary metal artist working out of Ludlow, MA. His work encompasses a wide range of expressions, from intricate mask work to large-scale commercial installations. Peters evokes glimpses of the past with a distinctly modern edge, his work lures you into his interpretations of the natural world. Noland Anderson's celebrates people of color, using oils applied with loose brush strokes on textured canvas surfaces. Mecina Gomes’ large scale portraits are used as a healing modality and a vehicle for meaningful conversation.

Montague Cultural Council 2025 Kick-Off Reception is free, accessible, and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided, and the Shea Theater has a cash bar.

The Montague Cultural Council is part of the Local Cultural Council (LCC) program, sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council, a State Agency.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna •Gagne Wealth Management Group • Gill Tavern • Gilmore and Farrell Insurance Company • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill • Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening V: The Bestiary

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received generous grants from the Mass Cultural Council as well as the Community Foundation of Western MA to support our 2025 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening V: The Bestiary.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 50 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by Aesop's Fables, George Orwell's Animal Farm, newly imagined cautionary tales, and creature myths of all origins.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!