AMHERST — Interstitial Zigzags, by Amherst artist Benjamin Cowden, is the inaugural exhibition at the Portal Gallery on Boltwood Plaza.
A public reception and opening will be held at the site on Sept. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m.
The gallery was the idea of the Public Art Commission, which solicited ideas for reusing the space in the headhouse at the Boltwood parking garage.
Cowden recently completed the installation, transforming five small windows that previously held malfunctioning computer screens into moving, miniature worlds.
Viewed from outside, each window features a brightly colored, interactive diorama, including a spinning cave, blooming flowers and dancing tentacles, each that respond to cues from the viewer, such as light or noise.
“People will be able to play with my sculptures through the glass,” Cowden said in a statement.
The opening will feature a live performance by the Roving Corsairs, a local band of “musical pirates” who perform traditional sea shanties, Celtic folk music and original tunes.
Interstitial Zigzags is supported by the Amherst Center Cultural District with funds from a recovery and rebuilding grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The artwork is scheduled to be on view through November.
The Friends of Hadley Public Library is holding a gift basket silent auction from Thursday through Oct. 2 that is on display in the new Hadley Public Library.
The baskets will be filled with gift certificates, cards and merchandise donated by local businesses, including fine dining, breakfast and lunch eateries, beauty and spas and car detailing.
Bids can be made at any time and winners will be announced on Oct. 2. All auction proceeds will go toward future library programs.
The front lawn of the Jones Library on Amity Street will become a performance space Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Gaia Roots will bring energetic percussion and vocals to create a musical experience for all ages.
In case of bad weather, the event will move to the tent in front of the library.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Libraries and is also supported in part by the Amherst Cultural Council.
The Community Safety Working Group is holding a forum on the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service program Sept. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom.
The forum will gather ideas about how to successfully implement CRESS in Amherst as an alternative to policing. The working group is being joined by an implementation team.
The Town Council has pledged to fund, at a minimum, eight community responder positions that will begin working for Amherst no later than Feb. 1. Also, by the end of January, Town Manager Paul Bockelman is to develop a multiyear plan for funding and growing the program, with the unarmed responders used to handle nonviolent calls that police have typically gone to.
People can join the forum at amherstma.zoom.us/j/85733815330#success/. Other methods of participation can be found on the town website.
Printed street lists with residents age 17 and over are available at the town clerk’s office.
Each book is $10, one with residents listed alphabetically, the other with people listed by precinct and street address.
THURSDAY: Council on Aging, 9 a.m.; Board of Assessors, 11 a.m.; and Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., all virtual via Zoom.