September 8, 2025
Gallery 51 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present "Ecologies of the In\between," a thought-provoking exhibition featuring works by four contemporary artists who explore the liminal spaces between what was, what is, and what can be. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. and runs through Jan. 4, 2026.
Curated by Dr. Victoria Papa, Associate Professor of English & Visual Culture at MCLA, the exhibition brings together artists Johanna Hedva, CAConrad, Kelsey Shultis, and Báyò Akómoláfé, whose diverse practices span drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, and sound.
"This exhibition is an invitation to the in\between, a proximal zone of time and space that holds the tensions and potentialities between what was, what is, and what can be," said Dr. Papa. The show examines how artists navigate and represent the complexities of contemporary existence, moving beyond apocalyptic narratives to explore how "ends and beginnings coexist, ecologically."
The exhibition's title draws from poet CAConrad's line "end of the world how did you get in my imagination," reflecting the show's exploration of how artists engage with uncertainty while creating space for new possibilities. The works collectively demonstrate how resistance and surrender, affinity and antipathy can coexist in productive tension.
"Ecologies of the In\between" presents art that operates across thresholds and embraces plurality, inviting viewers to consider alternative ways of feeling, creating, and relating during times of profound change. The artists' varied approaches, from intimate gestures to expansive conceptual works, collectively texture what it means to inhabit contemporary life when dominant structures are simultaneously being reinforced and dismantled.
As part of the exhibition's programming, poet CAConrad will give a public talk on Occult Poetics at the MOSAIC EventSpace (49 Main St.) on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m.
Dr. Papa has also created a comprehensive resource guide for the exhibition, designed for educators and community members interested in teaching with the show or learning more about its artists and themes. The guide includes artist biographies, exhibition programming dates, and curated resources for further reading, watching, and listening.
"Ecologies of the In\between" will be on view from Oct. 17, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, at Gallery 51, located at 51 Main Street in North Adams, MA. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
Gallery 51 is located at 51 Main Street in downtown North Adams. Gallery hours and additional programming information are available at Upcoming Exhibitions.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years. The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
