Location

Photo © Alan Klem, Class of 2007

Hallmark is located in the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts, an area rich in American heritage and offering an abundance of photographic and recreational opportunities. Centrally located at the base of the Berkshires and the historic Mohawk Trail and bisected by Interstate Route 91, Franklin County has a four-season climate making available unlimited photographic possibilities in its colonial architecture, pastoral countryside, winter mountain scenes and riotous autumn colors.

The Institute is a thirty minute drive from Amherst and Northampton, the heart of the five college area of Western Massachusetts. Both communities offer the student abundant opportunities for cultural enrichment and night life. Smith College, the University of Massachusetts and Hampshire College all have art galleries that frequently show photography; they also sponsor dance, theater and music concerts. Numerous night spots present national name and local musical entertainment.

Skiing during the winter months can be found at Berkshire East, just twenty-five miles away, as well as world-class resorts such as Killington in southern Vermont; swimming during the warm weather is done at a number of public beaches. Camping, hiking and rock climbing are all available within a short drive and canoes can be rented locally. One of the finest trout streams in the Northeast (the Deerfield River) runs almost to the school's doorstep.

Other scenic and historic areas within an easy commute from the school would include the glacial potholes and the Bridge of Flowers of Shelburne Falls; the magnificent collection of French Impressionist paintings at the Clark Art Institute; the historic Hoosack Railroad Tunnel; the restored colonial village of Old Deerfield; the awesome engineering feat of the Bear Swamp Hydroelectric Project; the miles of ski touring trails of Northfield Mountain.

Boston is an easy 2 hour drive east on Rt. 2 and New York City is about 3 hours by automobile. A public airport for small aircraft is five hundred yards from the Institute. And, both New Hampshire and Vermont are within twenty minutes of the school.

DIRECTIONS FROM WITHIN MASSACHUSETTS
TO HALLMARK INSTITUTE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

If you would like mapquest directions just click here.

From North/South:
From Interstate 91, take Exit 27 (in Massachusetts) onto Route 2 East. Follow Route 2 East to the second set of lights. This is the town of Gill. There is a Mobil Gas Station on the left. At this light, take a right onto the Turners Falls Bridge. See #3-After Crossing the Turners Falls Bridge.

From East/West:
Follow Route 2 until you come to the traffic lights in the town of Gill, Massachusetts. Traveling West, there is a Mobil Gas Station on the right of the intersection and the Turners Falls Bridge on the left. Turn left at this set of lights and cross over this bridge. See #3- After Crossing the Turners Falls Bridge (Reverse directions if traveling East on Route 2).

After Crossing the Turners Falls Bridge:
You'll pass the Hallmark Museum on your right as you continue on Ave. A to the first light. At the light, look left. You'll see the location of the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography. At this light, take a left onto 3rd Street. After passing the Exxon Station on your right, follow the road up the hill. This road will turn into Unity St. about half way up. Continue up the hill until you reach the top of the hill and the fork in the road. At this fork, you will see Scotty's Convenience Store and Apollo Pool Supplies on your right. Just after Apollo Pool Supplies, bear left at this fork onto Millers Falls Rd. following the signs for the Airport. Our Administrative Office Building is just over a mile ahead on the left. Please park in this main lot and enter our main entrance. A staff member will be available to assist you from here.