MCLA Student Showcases the Power of Public Art in New Video
North Adams, MA — October 15, 2025 — The North Adams Partnership is proud to announce the release of a new short film by Conall Mannion ’26, an MCLA student majoring in Arts Management. As the Partnership’s first intern, Mannion collaborated with Northern Berkshire Community Television (NBCTC) to document the installation of The Hatchlings at the Eagle Street Parklet—a vibrant example of public art transforming community spaces.
With guidance, training, and equipment provided by NBCTC, Mannion wrote, filmed, and edited the video, capturing how The Hatchlings—an immersive light installation created by local artist Vanessa Till Hooper— brought creativity, collaboration, and joy to downtown North Adams. The film highlights the perspectives of artists, organizers, and residents, exploring how art can foster connection and civic pride.
“This project beautifully illustrates the Partnership’s mission to connect people and ideas that move North Adams forward,” said Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the North Adams Partnership. “Conall’s work captures the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and resilience that defines our community.”
Dr. Lisa Donovan, Professor of Arts Management at MCLA and Mannion’s instructor, praised the project as an example of the power of applied learning. “Conall’s film demonstrates how arts management education can translate to a broad range of disciplines and have a direct impact on community vitality,” Donovan said. “Drawing from coursework in Community Engagement in Arts and Culture and Managing Creativity, Conall was able to bring theory into practice. By documenting the Hatchlings project, he not only showcased the role of public art but also modeled how students can engage meaningfully with their communities through creative practice.”
Reflecting on the experience, Mannion said, “Working on this project showed me how much art can do beyond the walls of a museum or classroom. Seeing how the Hatchlings brought people together—artists, volunteers, and neighbors—made me realize how creativity can strengthen a community. I’m grateful to NBCTC and the North Adams Partnership for helping me tell that story.”
The video is now available for viewing here.
MCLA junior Conall Mannion, the Partnership's first intern, set out to understand and document the impact of public art on a community, through the lens of the Hatchlings installation at the Eagle Street Parklet. Here is the story. Special thanks to Northern Berkshire Community Television for making this project possible.
