Arts notebook, Oct. 28, 2021

ORANGE — A reception will be held for artist William Dolan on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Stage on Main.

Having grown up in the suburbs north of Boston, Dolan first moved to the area in the mid-1980s to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While a student there, he started to put down some roots and ended up staying. He and his wife, Dianne, decided to move closer and 17 years ago found a home near Lake Mattawa.

Although Dolan had done some painting on and off for years, it was with this move to Orange that he began to focus more on his art. With their new home came dedicated studio space with room to work. He has taken advantage of a wide variety of informal art education. He has expanded his works to include watercolors and digital art. The natural beauty of their home’s surroundings has proven inspiring to many of his paintings. The result of this activity has been an extensive portfolio and the creation of Dolan Studios.

Masks are required. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

ASHFIELD — The Organ Celebration Series concert by the Bob Sparkman Trio scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30, at the First Congregational Church of Ashfield has been postponed due to illness.

New dates will be released as soon as possible. Check the church website, ashfielducc.org, for more information.

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center will present “Ticket to Terror: Horror Film in the Age of Anxiety,” a presentation by GCC professor Lillian Ruiz, on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m.

A good horror film offers not only entertainment, but social commentary as well. Serving as a lens into the fears and anxieties of its time and place, the horror film examines social and cultural issues such as race, class and gender, among others. From the 1920 “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (considered the first horror film) to the 2017 “Get Out” (winner of an Academy Award), this presentation will address the horror film from a decade perspective.

This presentation will be simulcast on Zoom and in The LAVA Center. Register in advance at bit.ly/3bglhk1.

Ruiz, professor of English at Greenfield Community College, teaches classes in media and popular culture, horror film and Gothic literature, as well as Shakespeare and Women in Literature, among others.

This presentation is co-sponsored by The LAVA Center and the Humanities, Inclusion and Diversity Center and Community Engagement departments at Greenfield Community College.

This event is free; donations will be accepted.