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State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, records a section of 'Moby-Dick' for a new art installation.

Pittsfield Bench To Spout 'Moby-Dick' For Melville Event

By Joe DurwinSpecial to iBerkshires
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Local author Gabriel Squailia, left, chooses a passage to read with artist Evan Lurie.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Politicians, police, writers and many other area residents lent their voice to a new Melville-themed talking bench for downtown, as part of Pittsfield's summerlong "Call Me Melville" celebration of all things related to the famed author and his whale of an epic.
 
Called the Herman Melville Memorial Moby Dick Reciting Park Bench, this interactive piece of public art will recite pre-recorded passages of the classic 19th-century novel whenever passersby sit on it.  
 
The project is being undertaken by Evan Lurie as part of Artscape, the city's yearly installation of works of art to enhance public areas, which this year will be all Melville-themed. Lurie, who lives in Lanesborough, is a musician and composer for television and film. He plays piano and most recently was the musical director for the "Backyardigans," a globally popular preschool animated series on Nick Jr.
 
Mayor Daniel Bianchi, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and dozens of Pittsfield residents from all walks of life contributed readings, recording a favorite passage or selecting one of many available from the lengthy tome, penned in Pittsfield and first published in 1851.
 
The bench will be installed at Palace Park (the North Street lot formerly occupied by Palace Theatre) and on display throughout the summer, and will issue a randomly selected recording of a local voice reciting "Moby-Dick" whenever someone sits on or otherwise triggers the installation.

Tags: art installation,   downtown,   Melville,   

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Brien Center Announces Vice President of Human Resources

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amy Thomson was recently named Vice President of Human Resources for the Brien Center, Berkshire County's largest behavioral health provider. 
 
In her new position, she will provide strategic direction and oversight for all aspects of the Human Resources functional areas including recruitment and retention, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management and professional development.
 
Immediately prior to joining The Brien Center, Thomson served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Annie Selke Companies. Other career positions include Director of Human Resources for Berkshire Healthcare Systems' Long Term Care Division, Vice President of Human Resources for Legacy Banks and Director of HR for Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. 
 
She is a resident of Pittsfield.
 
"We are excited that Amy has joined our leadership team, "said Christine Macbeth, President and CEO of the Brien Center. "The agency will benefit from her 30+ years in Human Resources and her skills in employee relations, compliance and benefit management, performance management and strategic focus. Her previous experience will serve her well as she leads her team in developing and implementing efficient and creative initiatives that will advance the HR components of the organization's strategic plan."
 
Thomson earned a Masters' Degree in Human Resources Management from Leslie University and a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College. She enjoys skiing, hiking, horseback riding and spending quality time with family and friends.
 
 
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