Julio Granda Retrospective Spans Two Downtown Pittsfield Galleries

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Pittsfield - Sometimes the work of one artist overflows what a single exhibition space can hold. In the case of celebrated 76-year-old artist Julio Granda, a thirty-five year resident of the Berkshires, former professor and head of the Fine Arts Department of Berkshire Community College, and mentor to dozens of other artists in the region, two gallery spaces are partnering in an innovative show highlighting work from just one decade of this prolific artist’s work. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts gallery and the Storefront Artist Project Mainspace will both be featuring work by Julio Granda from 1980-1990, an active and vibrant period of his career where his paintings and drawings explored the expressive qualities of the line. Berkshire Eagle’s art critic Charles Bonenti wrote of Granda’s work in 1983: "we come away from Granda's work with a sense of having touched some cosmic or spiritual principle. We have been led to confront…the complexity and ambiguity that can exist in linear, spatial and color relationships..." An opening reception for the artist will be held in both exhibition spaces on Friday, August 3. The opening at the Lichtenstein Center gallery, located at 28 Renne Avenue , is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by the reception at the Storefront Artist Project Mainspace, located around the corner at 124 Fenn Street , from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Both shows are open from August 1 to September 15, 2007. The opening receptions are sponsored in part by The Kinderhook Group and Sabor Restaurant: Contemporary Latin American Cuisine. Granda, a prolific artist whose career spans over several decades, is a true poet of line and space. Reminiscent of Lorca's poetry, his works take us into a different universe that denies concrete space. Seemingly simplistic, the juxtaposition of shapes and colors in his paintings and drawings is never pure abstraction but rather an animating force that gives his work dynamism and vitality. Julio Granda has been living in the Berkshires for the past 35 years after moving here from New York City. He received his Master’s of Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and also studied at School of Visual Arts and the Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. He served both as Fine Arts faculty and as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department with the Berkshire Community College. Recent exhibitions include Simon's Rock College of Bard in Great Barrington, Tokonoma Gallery in Housatonic and Ute Stebich Gallery in Lenox. Gallery hours at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, where Granda’s paintings will be shown, are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Public hours at the Storefront Artist Project Mainspace, where Granda’s drawings are highlighted, are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information on the Julio Grand exhibition, visit www.culturalpittsfield.com or contact the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 413.499.9348 or the Storefront Artist Project at 413.442.7201 and www.storefrontartist.org.
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Weekend Outlook: Barn Birthday, Musical Nights

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this week including musical nights, turtles, and more.

Editor's Pick

Round Stone Barn Birthday
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Time: Sunday, 10 to 5

Free community day to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the village's iconic Round Stone Barn. Live music, special performances, food trucks, ice cream, discovery tours, and other kid-friendly activities. Cupcakes served at 2; first come, first served. 
 
More information here.https://tinyl.co/4lgy

Meet the Turtles with Berkshire County Turtle Rescue
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Meet live rescued turtles with wildlife rehabilitator Tracy Zustra, founder of Berkshire County Turtle Rescue, and learn more about turtles in Berkshire County and how to care for pet turtles.  Then make your own turtle crossing signs.

More information here.

Multiple Days

'The Legend of Georgia McBride'
Colonial Theater, Pittsfield
July 31 through Aug. 16

The musical comedy features drag performances with musical numbers from Elvis Presley and Bette Midler to Édith Piaf, Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton. 

More information and tickets here.

Friday 

Misty Blues 2026
Adams Theater
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Misty Blues is returning to Adams with their 18th album and celebrating their 25th year of performing  blues, vintage jazz, and deep-pocket funk.

More information and tickets here.

Beaver Detectives
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Learn and investigate the way beavers live and try and find them as you walk the sanctuary's trails.

Register in advance; tickets are $12 and $15. More information here.

Children's Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The library is hosting a number of programs including Dungeons and Dragons, take-home crafts, switch and play, and an escape game. 

More information here.

Friday Karaoke
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 p.m.

More information here.

Saturday

Fire on the Mountain Jam

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