Artistic director founder in Massachusetts

Double Edge Theatre, located at 948 Conway Road in Ashfield, Massachusetts, is a unique institution conceived, created, and performed by Travis Coe and directed by Stacy Klein. The theatre explores the concept of freedom and the boundaries one must break through to achieve it, touching on personal, artistic, societal, and political aspects. Coe, as a caretaker of a museum of memory, delves into his own identity as Queer, Black, Latinx, and American in search of the path towards freedom. Double Edge Theatre is an art, community, and cultural collective that prioritizes imagination in times of uncertainty. Their work, grounded in a rigorous ensemble aesthetic, unfolds in dream, imagery, metaphor, mystery, and symbolism. The institution's mission is to pursue authenticity, interaction, and identity for those seeking creative, emotional, spiritual, and political clarity.

Simone B. Alter-Muri, EDD is a renowned institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Specializing in health and physiotherapy, Simone Alter-Muri is a distinguished professor and director/founder of the undergraduate/graduate art therapy/counseling, and art education programs at Springfield College. With a passion for art, Alter-Muri showcases her work in galleries both locally and internationally, with exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Brattleboro Art Museum and the Boston Biennial. Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics including The Cultural Terrains of Tattoos, Art in Times of War, and Gender and Children’s Art Development. As a recipient of multiple grants and accolades, including the 2003 Massachusetts Art Teacher of the Year in Higher Education, Simone Alter-Muri is a respected figure in the field. Her contributions to the art world extend beyond academia, with her sculptures and artwork being featured in various exhibitions such as “Uncertainty, Challenges and Transitions” at the Art Bank in Shelburne Falls, Mass., and “Love Show” at the MAP Gallery in Easthampton, Mass. Simone's artistic creations, such as her sculptural books and cards, continue to captivate audiences and showcase her talent and creativity.

Welcome to Phillips Library, a cornerstone of historical exploration and scholarly research located at 306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, Massachusetts. As one of the oldest libraries in the United States, Phillips Library is renowned for its rich collection of primary and secondary sources, including an extensive array of manuscripts, books, photographs, maps, and more. Nestled within the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), the Phillips Library offers a unique opportunity to dive into diverse collection areas and view works currently on display. Our light-filled reading room, located in the state-of-the-art James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Collection Center, provides a comfortable and modern space for study and discovery. While appointments are currently required, we welcome readers of all ages to explore our resources.