Most Dedicated Most Creative Most Influential
Maquettes of Du Bois were on view prior to a panel of judges, some above, making a final decision, From left, Lauren Clark, Ari Zorn, Reginald Madison, Julie Michaels( board chair), and Bobby Houston.( David Edgecomb)
the complex relationship between intellectual achievement and human experience that characterized Du Bois ' life and work. By portraying him as both scholarly and approachable, Blake challenges viewers to consider Du Bois both for his historical significance and his contemporary relevance. The sculpture’ s design invites reconnection, initiating a relationship between him and the Great Barrington community.
“ His family was here for multiple generations,” says committee member Dubois Thomas.“ He was home here. He came back here. He buried his family members here.” As Blake’ s sculpture takes its place on the steps of Mason Library this month, it joins a broader effort to recover Du Bois’ legacy that is added to the renaming of the Monument Valley Regional Middle School, the creation of a mural in what is now called“ Du Bois Alley” off Railroad Street, the reclaiming of Du Bois’ boyhood home-site on South Egremont Road, and the establishment of the Du Bois Freedom Center in the former Clinton A. M. E. Church. Together, these efforts move Great Barrington from omission to celebration; from silence to conversation. In bronze, Du Bois will now extend his hand to a community that now celebrates him. The sculptor has created more than a monument; he has opened a new chapter.“ This is the gateway to so many things,” says Zorn,“ a testament to how art can bridge history and healing, with one bronze hand reaching across time.” n
The unveiling and dedication ceremony and related events will be held from July 17 to July 20, at various venues in the Berkshires, including Mason Public Library in Great Barrington, Chesterwood in Stockbridge, and Jacob’ s Pillow in Becket. For more details on these events, please go to webduboissculpture. org.
Photo Contest
This year’ s theme is in honor of our sister publication:“ Music in the Berkshires”
The Berkshire hills are alive with music, so show us what you’ ve got! The door’ s wide open to your visual interpretation of music – from people dancing at an outdoor concert to a child exploring a music shop; from someone learning an instrument to a prodigy performing; from a choral concert to a jam session at home. Hit the right note – and get your photo published in Berkshire Magazine!
Entries accepted through October 6, 2025 berkshiremag. com / photo-contest
The 11th Annual BERKSHIRE
Most Dedicated Most Creative Most Influential
Nominations are open at berkshiremag. com
Deadline July 15, 2025
102 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE August July 2025 2025