GREENFIELD — A new art show fusing the cultures of three artists is opening at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center Saturday as part of a jam-packed day of arts and celebration at the venue.
“Three Artists Expressing Their Cultures Through Abstract Art,” which consists of works from Greenfield-based Dawn Leahy, Brooklyn-based Roderic Hampton and Harlem-based Stefon Reed, is opening from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Hawks & Reed will also celebrate its recent partnership with the Cocina Lupita food truck, which has opened outside the venue’s front door.
The artists’ work, which is scattered throughout Hawks & Reed, is a collage of abstract art inspired by each artist’s background that all compliment one another artistically.
“We pretty much all do the same thing, but it looks very different,” Hampton said. “We’re aligned spiritually and mentally.”
Each of the artists described their work as an outlet to release their emotions while also infusing their background and culture into their work.
“When I create abstract art, I’m releasing something or I’m going through something that I need to work through, whether that’s good or bad,” Reed said. “You get caught up in the emotions.”
Hampton, whose work includes three canvases with sneakers created from recycled materials, said his background of blue-collar work reflects in his art in both the material and the final product.
“I have a very industrial background and I work in blue-collar, environmentally friendly companies,” Hampton said. “I like the machinery and I like to incorporate my art with a lot of industrial, heavy metals or recycled stuff.”
The two New York-based artists are excited to bring their art to Greenfield and said it’s a nice contrast from city life.
“It’s a nice, quiet, kind of television town,” Reed said. “It’s very, very relaxing.”
“I’ve been here twice, it’s nice,” Hampton said. “It’s a good vibe, especially getting out of New York, you get that kind of old-country feel.”
Ben Goldsher, Hawks & Reed’s manager, invites the public to come to the reception on Saturday to meet the artists “in the flesh” and take part in the celebration.
“I think the work is absolutely amazing and lights up the room,” Goldsher said. “There’s some pieces that really stick out.”
He said Leahy’s connections with the two New York-based artists helped him set up the show and he is hoping they can “bring the city life to Greenfield.”
Goldsher highlighted Hampton’s sneaker pieces as the artwork that draws him in, but the real draw is each piece of art can instill a unique reaction from each person.
“They take these cool kicks and make it out of all these different materials and into these very big art pieces that have so much nostalgia, for me at least because I grew up loving and getting sneakers.” Goldsher said. “All the work is abstract so everyone will interpret it slightly different.”
Hawks & Reed will also celebrate its new partnership with Cocina Lupita, with a community salsa lesson and a disc jockey “spinning salsa music.”
“It’s been really exciting having them partner with us,” Goldsher said. “We’re inviting people to get food from the food truck and bring it inside during events. … Food is an essential part of the experience we’re trying to create.”
The celebration of Cocina Lupita’s partnership with Hawks & Reed will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Cocina Lupita co-owner Josh Breitner said the partnership has been fruitful.
“It’s been great, Ben’s a great partner,” Breitner said. “I’d say it’s in the early stages with the intention of it being on a permanent basis.”
Breitner said both he and Goldsher reached out to each other at the same time and the partnership formed naturally.
“I wanted to get his advice on how to put together some events and he was looking for food vendors for some shows coming up,” he said. “It really made a lot of sense for us to work together.”
Proof of vaccination is required to enter Hawks & Reed; proof of a negative COVID-19 test will not be accepted. Attendees are also asked to wear a mask at all times unless they are eating or drinking.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.