Javotte Ray, granddaughter of Sterling and Francine Clark, with the cake celebrating the 60th anniversary of the museum they founded.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Nearly one year after it completed a $145 million expansion and renovation, the Clark has the blessings of the Clarks.

 

Javotte Ray, the granddaughter of Sterling and Francine Clark, on Sunday visited the art museum they founded to help the Clark Art Institute celebrate its 60th anniversary.

 

Sixty years ago to the day, the Clarks welcomed the world to a white marble building on South Street that the couple built to house its private collection.

 

Six decades later, that white building is just as impressive and the paintings are just as memorable, but little else would be recognizable to Ray's grandparents.

 

On Sunday, she stood with Clark Director Michael Conforti on the Fernandez Terrace — one of many features added as part of the 15-year expansion of the Clark.

 

And she pronounced it good.

 

"She knew the Clark in its earliest years and she certainly knew her grandparents very well," Conforti told the crowd. "Do you think they would have wanted this to happen, Javotte?"

 

"I think they would have," the Swiss resident said. "I think they certainly must be looking at us and enjoying themselves.

 

"You see ... a museum is something to be seen by as many people as possible. Many people will be able to come to the museum and enjoy the pictures, enjoy everything.

 

"They certainly would be happy. This museum has been remarkably developed, and now it is known worldwide. I think my grandfather would be very happy about that."

 

Then Ray and Conforti cut a cake in honor of the 60th anniversary, and the crowd enjoyed the art — on view for free for the occasion — as entertainment was provided by two Williams College a cappella groups, the all-male Williams Octet and the all-female Ephoria.