Mary Ann Marschat
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Director Yael Melamede and her mother Ada Karmi Melamade in ‘Ada: My Mother the Architect.’
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The buildings are the easy part: Ada’s creations are unequivocally beautiful, and her daughter is up to the challenge of capturing their essence on film. Using a combination of unique perspective, time-lapse sequences and archival material, we’re treated to a symphony of light.
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“I think that with one beam of light that falls right, it can change everything,” Melamade says, and we see her buildings — Jerusalem’s Supreme Court building and the Ben Gurion Airport among them —bloom and glow in some of the most breathtaking sequences.
But the film’s heart lies in the sometimes strained relationship between mother and daughter. “How [did] you love me for so many years?” Ada asks her daughter during one interview. “I wasn’t with you.” It’s a cutting message that has special resonance during the holiday season: Where are the lines between work and life, and how do we know when they need to be redrawn?
“Ada: My Mother the Architect” will screen at the Moviehouse in Millerton on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. A Q&A with director Yael Melamede will follow the film. Tickets at themoviehouse.net.
Graham Corrigan is a writer and musician from Philadelphia currently living in Lakeville.
Rie McCarthy’s ceramics caught the eye of Keavey Bedell at Salisbury Handmade .
Patrick L. Sullivan
McCarthy’s wares start around $25 for small bowls suitable for condiments to $35 for minimalist tea cups to larger items like serving bowls. She makes them in her studio in Mt. Washington, Massachusetts, and while she will not be at the second event on Dec. 13, her goods are available in Great Barrington at the Railroad St. Collective at 25 Railroad St. or at RIESMceramics.com.
Ambling around the corner, a reporter found Marilyn Davis of Amesville and her assortment of four-color prints of local scenes such as Lake Wonoscopomuc and Twin Lakes, all nicely framed and eminently affordable at $30 and up.
Davis’ work is available online Etsy under the name “FavoritePlacesArt,” or email mollyhardy2@gmail.com.
Continuing the circuit, the reporter, who was in the “driven” camp and looking for consumable gifts for his mother who does not want any more permanent “stuff,” came across Ani Jenkins of Falls Village, with assorted skin care items and herbal teas, all hand made.
This custom bowl by Shaari Horowitz was available at Salisbury Handmade Saturday, Nov. 29, at the White Hart Inn.Patrick L. Sullivan
The teas did the trick. After sampling the two on offer, the decision was made to go with the Peace Blend, consisting of chamomile, tulsi,and sitka rose ($16). It’s loose tea— Jenkins is adamantly anti-tea bag — and she had a couple of mason jar infusers for sale as well.
Jenkins either grows or collects these ingredients, sometimes from Alaska, where she and her husband have a summer cabin. She said she has had many interesting conversations with Transportation Safety Administration officials while bringing back Alaskan herbs. See www.umbotanicals.com for more information.
Shaari Horowitz, a veteran of the Salisbury Handmade scene, had her usual array of truly spectacular wooden bowls, decorated in such a way that actually using them as bowls seems unlikely, like putting the Mona Lisa on a couple of sawhorses as an impromptu picnic table.
No such ambiguity exists with Horowitz’ selection of interesting earrings, starting at $45. Horowitz will be on hand on Dec. 13.
As will Karin Gerstel of Undermountain Weavers. This year the weavers feature rugs and blankets made from Sam’s Wool (Sam Waterston is the Sam involved) starting at $150, plus wool beanies that are perfect for winter ($38).
Salisbury Handmade was established about 18 years ago when a number of local artisans banded together after the closing of Creative Hands, a local craft consignment store.
The group began to organize local shows to showcase local artists and their handmade items under several names, including Renegade Artisans Group, Salisbury Artisans Group and Salisbury Handmade.
Salisbury Handmade promotes four shows per year. The one-day spring show happens outdoors on the White Hart lawn in mid-May. The two-day autumn show, also on the lawn, occurs during the Salisbury Fall Festiva, and two one-day holiday shows are hosted inside the Inn.
Salisbury Handmade shares proceeds from the shows with local non-profits. The group also thanks the White Hart for hosting the shows.
