‘Anybody and everybody can do it’: New murals to capture the memories, values and culture of the Valley
Blank walls across the cities of Springfield and Holyoke are about to become permanent cultural landmarks. Common Wealth Murals, a Springfield nonprofit that brings mural art to local neighborhoods, recently announced its 2026 cohort of artists for its Community Mural Training program. As part of the initiative, the 16 selected artists are bringing five new…
What places leave behind: After winning an international design competition, Smith College’s Isabel Strauss contemplates the healing power of architecture
As an architect, Isabel Strauss often wonders about physical space. What is here now, and what came before it? What is still possible? Places tell stories — whether they are historical buildings or vacant lots — and she takes everything into consideration. Last autumn, in her first semester of teaching at Smith College, the assistant…
Mixtape: Sebastian Bach “Who doesn’t want to rock? We all want to rock!”
I was lucky enough to catch up with Sebastian Bach over Zoom a couple weeks ago. He’s still rocking that long, blonde hair that has been his signature…
The Latest
Mixtape: It’s all about the EPs, baby: A couple of releases from Murder (sword) and Joshua David Thayer
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Murder (sword) Self-titled Easthampton-based Murder (sword) has been a band that I’ve been seeing a lot on social media and show…
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: What if polyamory goes poorly?
Hi Yana, The first time my partner and I tried nonmonogamy, it went horribly. We discovered all the things not working in our relationship in big, dramatic ways.…
Monte Belmonte Wines: Visiting wine country at last: Discovering Albariño in Rías Baixas
As someone who has written a wine column for almost a decade and who has been tasting wines on the radio for nearly a decade before that, it’s…
For Montague-based songwriter Jamey Wolff, music was once a doorway to self-destruction and is now a window into everyone’s potential to heal
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide and addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. Support is also available online…
