Pittsfield Woman Tapped as New Executive Director at Snow Farm

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mary Jo Murphy of Pittsfield has been named the executive director of Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program in Williamsburg.

Snow Farm, a nonprofit arts organization, offers studio craft and fine art workshops for people of all ages in a historic residential setting.

Murphy brings over 20 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for the mission of Snow Farm. Most recently, she served as the Leadership Annual Giving officer at Miss Hall's School and the director of development at the Berkshire Museum, both in Pittsfield.
 
Murphy is the fourth director since the New England Craft Program was founded in 1984. She follows Karen Totman, who served as the director since 2009 and is leaving Snow Farm after 20 years.


"Nestled in the hills of Williamsburg, Snow Farm is a special place that draws people from across the country and in every beautiful season," Murphy said. "Creativity and community abound, for students who have come to be absorbed in art and learn a new craft or those who seek to sharpen skills and be inspired in a new way. I am so pleased to join the Snow Farm community."  

Murphy has been involved in arts organizations for many years. She served as an Accreditation Panel Reviewer for the American Association of Museums in Washington, D.C.; a Grant Panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council in Baltimore; Grant Panelist for the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County in Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Consultant for The Center of Military History in Washington, D.C.
 
Janet Dunlap, president of the Snow Farm Board of Directors, said the board is thrilled to welcome Murphy.

"With her nonprofit management experience and excitement for Snow Farm's strategic goals, the organization is well positioned for its next chapter," she said.

 

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Tickets On Sale for Berkshire Flyer

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amtrak, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), announced tickets are now on sale for the Berkshire Flyer.
 
The Berkshire Flyer is a seasonal summer passenger rail service that operates between New York City from Moynihan Train Hall and Pittsfield. The service, which began as a successful pilot in 2022, is scheduled to resume on Friday, June 21 through Monday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day weekend. Trains depart New York City Friday nights and return at the end of the weekend, leaving Pittsfield Sunday afternoon.
 
In addition, for the first time this year, the Berkshire Flyer service now includes a train from New York City to Pittsfield on Sunday mornings.
 
"We're thrilled to announce this season's Berkshire Flyer service," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "The Berkshire Flyer makes visiting Western Massachusetts on weekends convenient, relaxing, and easy. We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation and CSX."
 
The Berkshire Flyer departs from Moynihan Train Hall at 3:16 p.m. on Fridays and arrives at Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center in Pittsfield at 7:27 p.m. The train will make all intermediate station stops as the scheduled Amtrak Empire Service train does in New York State on Fridays, which include Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany-Rensselaer Station. 
 
The Sunday return trip, making all the same station stops, will depart Pittsfield at 3:35 p.m. and arrive in New York at 7:55 p.m. The new Sunday Berkshire Flyer train from New York City to Pittsfield will depart Moynihan Train Hall at 10:50 a.m. and arrive in Pittsfield at 3:15 p.m.
 
The Berkshire Flyer is building upon two successful seasons where some of the Pittsfield-bound trains were sold out well in advance. Based on that experience, passengers planning a trip are encouraged to purchase tickets early by visiting Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
 
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