Deerfield Cultural Council accepting grant applications

DEERFIELD — The Deerfield Cultural Council is accepting funding proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs in 2024, with an application deadline of Oct. 17.

“We’re looking forward to reviewing applications,” said Cultural Council Chair Emily Gaylord. “We’re optimistic that we will be able to create programming that showcases our vibrant and talented Deerfield community.”

Projects selected for funding must be accessible to all; of interest to a diversity of patrons and a wide range of age groups (including students and older adults); have an approved, pre-arranged venue; and have a detailed budget. The council will give preference to events that take place in town or have free or reduced ticket prices for Deerfield residents. It will also prioritize proposals that increase awareness of cultural diversity or create opportunities for artists and people identifying as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ, refugee, immigrants or individuals living with a disability.

Guidelines for developing programs, details about preparing and submitting proposals, and an online application form can be found at bit.ly/48Kqb5r. Information specific to the Deerfield Cultural Council can be found at mass-culture.org/Deerfield.

Shutesbury hosting smartphone workshop for seniors

SHUTESBURY — The Shutesbury Council on Aging and the M.N. Spear Memorial Library are sponsoring a smartphone workshop to teach folks how to better use their devices.

The event will be held in two parts on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with one session for iPhone users from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and the other for those with Android phones from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Classes are limited to six people and you can register with the library by calling 413-259-1213 or by emailing library.director@shutesbury.org.

The classes are designed for people who have a basic knowledge of how their phone works, but would like to use their device beyond making a phone call. Library Consultant Barbara Friedman will teach the class and will inform people how to search the internet, send text messages or emails, and use the GPS.

Historic Deerfield hires director of academic programs

DEERFIELD — Historic Deerfield has hired Erika Gasser, an associate professor of history at the University of Cincinnati, to serve as the museum’s director of academic programs.

In the role, Gasser will serve as a scholar and teacher, as well as Historic Deerfield’s public historian. She will lead the museum’s academic programming, which includes public lectures, workshops and field trips for students and adults. Gasser will also work with the curatorial team to develop new programs and exhibits that explore American history and material culture through the lens of Deerfield and the Connecticut River Valley. Additionally, she will direct Historic Deerfield’s Summer Fellowship Program.

Prior to working in Cincinnati, Gasser earned undergraduate degrees from Brown University in American history and educational studies, as well as a master’s degree and doctorate in history and women’s studies at the University of Michigan.

Curatorial fellow welcomed

Additionally, Historic Deerfield has welcomed Lea Stephenson as a Henry Luce Foundation curatorial fellow. For the next two years, Stephenson will work with Historic Deerfield’s collection of 18th- and 19th-century paintings and works on paper, conducting research, curating exhibits and developing public programs that highlight the collection’s unique strengths and perspectives.

Stephenson, who is a Ph.D. candidate in art history at the University of Delaware, holds an undergraduate degree in art history from Temple University and a master’s degree from Williams College, also in art history. She has held previous curatorial and fellowship positions at the Clark Art Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Dallas Museum of Art and the Preservation Society of Newport County.

“We are thrilled to welcome Erika and Lea to the Historic Deerfield team,” John Davis, president and CEO of Historic Deerfield, said in a statement. “Their expertise and passion will be invaluable as we continue to share our unique collections and stories with the public. We are especially grateful to the Henry Luce Foundation for their support of emerging professionals in the field of American art.”

Deerfield student named to Saint Anselm College’s dean’s list

MANCHESTER, N.H. — South Deerfield resident Samuel Felton-Emrick was named to Saint Anselm College’s dean’s list for the spring semester.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or better.