Downing Seeking Talented Local Artists to Showcase in Boston, Pittsfield

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BOSTON – State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) is seeking local artists to participate in art shows in Boston and downtown Pittsfield.

Downing, along with his Senate colleagues with office space on the 4 East wing of the State House, have secured the approval of the Office of the Senate President to decorate their fourth floor hallway walls with creative works by artists who live in their districts.

Thousands of visitors come to the Massachusetts State House each week. The building, which is both the seat of state government and a historic attraction, is known as “the People’s House” and is open to the public Monday through Friday. Free tours are given daily during business hours.

The 4 East exhibition will be installed on June 15 by the Senate Business Office; it is scheduled to be on display for six months.



Other participating offices include those of Sen. Joan Lovely (D- Salem), Sen. John Keenan (D- Quincy), Sen. Barbara L’Italien (D- Andover) and Sen. Kenneth Donnelly (D- Arlington).

Additionally, since 2007 Downing's Local Artist Exhibition Program has provided artists from the 52 communities in his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District two venues to display their work:  his Pittsfield and State House offices. Downing is currently seeking new artists to showcase in Pittsfield.

Artists interested in participating in this program are asked to contact Bethann Steiner, the senator’s chief of staff, at Bethann.Steiner@masenate.gov by May 26 with electronic images of the wall art they wish to display. Each artist is responsible for insuring their work; neither Downing nor the Massachusetts Senate will be held responsible in the unlikely event of damage or loss. Artists are responsible for transporting their items to Pittsfield or Boston for installation.

 


Tags: art installation,   Ben Downing,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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