Lenox, MA – Ventfort Hall | Gilded Age Mansion & Museum is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chelsea Gaia as its first-ever Director of Programming & Events. Under the leadership of Executive Director Wendy Healey, who took the helm in December of 2022, Gaia's role will be pivotal in shaping the mansion's future as a beacon of culture, progress, and inclusivity in the Berkshires. Appointed in January, Gaia has wasted no time in programming a full 2024 Season for the mansion, promising an array of enriching events and programs under the theme Reviving the Spirit of Festival House.

About Chelsea Gaia

Chelsea Gaia, a dynamic leader with over twenty years of experience in business development, audience growth, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship brings a fresh perspective to Ventfort Hall. Having relocated from the Pacific Northwest to the Berkshires in 2022, Gaia has a proven track record of community revitalization and cultural engagement. Her previous roles in the Berkshires include serving as the Director of Marketing & Box Office at Barrington Stage Company and subsequently engaging several local cultural organizations as clients through her Public Relations & Engagement company, Green Bird Business Services. 

At Ventfort Hall, Gaia aims to honor and build upon the mansion's storied legacy.

Gaia states, "There is a Renaissance unfolding at Ventfort Hall, and it is undoubtedly driven by the spirit of those who have kept this place alive in this era and eras passed. While I am humbled to be part of this chapter, I intend to honor the work and stories of everyone who has shaped the legacy of Ventfort Hall as a foundation for my time here."

A New Look for Ventfort Hall

Gaia, a seasoned graphic designer, personally spearheaded and executed the updated logo and branding design. In an effort to signal the organizational momentum to the community at large, leadership believed the timing was right to freshen up their visual presence outside of the mansion itself. 

2024 Season: Reviving the Spirit of Festival House

The 2024 season at Ventfort Hall takes inspiration from the groundbreaking work of Bruno and Claire Aron and their daughters Madeline and Judy during the 1950s. A Jewish family, the Arons transformed Ventfort Hall into an inclusive resort, welcoming individuals from all walks of life and making it a hub for cultural expression. The Aron family embarked on this venture after experiencing a marked exclusion from Berkshire society as Jews.

This year's theme aims to recapture that spirit of inclusivity and celebration of our shared history.

Madeline Aron, daughter of Bruno & Claire, reflects, "I’m thrilled Ventfort Hall is honoring my family’s vision and the era of Festival House. It was clear there was a vacuum in the area for places that were welcoming to anyone and everyone. Festival House became a magnet for diverse community and cultural expression. It was such an enriching time and its impact planted a seed for expanded accessibility to the beauty of the Berkshires and its cultural gems like Tanglewood.”

Season Highlights Include:

An exhibit titled "Breaking Glass & Breaking Barriers: An Obscured History of Baseball in the Berkshires," curated by Larry Moore, running from June 1 to September 20. This exhibit focuses on the stories of women and people of color in Berkshire baseball history. 

The Ventfort Hall Artist in Residence 2024 program, in partnership with the Berkshire Art Center, will provide a residency for a local Berkshire Artist, giving access and resources to an artist from a marginalized community within the Berkshires.