The 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival continues daily through Sunday, Feb. 25 and features music, art, theater, dance, film and more. There is something for the entire family, from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival and opera at The Lichtenstein, to 10 Days of Play at the Berkshire Museum and a fireworks extravaganza on the Common.
Artists from the Berkshires and beyond have contributed 10×10 inch original artworks to be auctioned off for $25 each to benefit the programs of the Berkshire Art Association. The preview party begins at 6 p.m. and the auction starts at 7 p.m. To guarantee a piece of art, purchase your ARTtix at the Berkshire Museum before the event. Tickets are on sale now through the night of the 10x10 RAP (or until tickets sell out).
Ten Days of Play is back at the Berkshire Museum during the 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival! From Friday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 25, the Crane Room will be transformed into a child-directed play zone. There will be interactive activities for early learners in LAB 102, dramatic play in the Berkshire Backyard gallery, and the popular Tinker Lab in the Sabic Innovation Studio. Tonight, Friday, Feb. 16, enjoy a FREE Community Nightfrom 5:30-7:30 p.m.
As part of the 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, The Funky Phoenix will be offering daily $10 workshops through its new RE-FORMation Academy. Make a shopping bag out of an old pillowcase, create art with reclaimed objects, make your own journal or body scrub, or learn to twist wire to create jewelry or wall hangings, and MORE!
Radiance Yoga presents an afternoon with Joanna Roche, where you'll discover or rediscover your connection to joy, and learn how to determine the things that bring you the most joy. Journal, create a joymap and discuss how to live more fully in the space in between our busyness. 2-4 p.m.
Hancock Shaker Village and Alchemy Initiative welcome you to the grand opening of theBerkshire Seed Libraryat the Berkshire Athenaeum. Learn from Master Gardeners how to start your own garden; build a Chia Pet; take home local, organic seeds; and design your ideal garden with the Children's Department. 10 a.m. - 1 pm.
As part of Pittsfield's 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, Hotel on North will welcome genealogist Keren Weiner to the Lounge for a brief presentation about genealogy at 5:30 p.m. Then it's your chance to sign up for a 10-minute one-on-one session with Keren! 5:30-8:30 p.m.
For the 13th consecutive year, Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures present the Oscar-nominated Short Films. With all three categories offered (Animated, Live Action and Documentary), this is your annual chance to predict the winners. Don't miss this year's selection!
Pittsfield's city-owned community arts center, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, features nine working artist studios, a ceramics studio, a community room and an art gallery with changing exhibitions, classes, performances and more!
IS183 Art School's Learning Through Arts (LTA) after-school program will showcase the artwork of every one of its students, who attend nine elementary, middle and high schools across the Berkshires
PARKING
Parking is FREE on Monday, February 19 for the President's Day holiday.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Pittsfield Celebrates Robert 'Bob' Presutti on Arbor Day
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Bob Presutti, right, is presented the Hebert Award in 2017 for his volunteer efforts at Springside Park. He died in 2023 at age 88.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A tree has been planted next to the Berkshire Athenaeum in honor of local "giant" Robert Presutti.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
"Today is a day where we yes, celebrate trees, but today is also a day where here in the city we intentionally try to acknowledge the good work of folks in our community who spend their time and their efforts and their talents to make Pittsfield a more beautiful place," he said to a crowd of about 20 people.
"Today we are honoring a longtime community volunteer named Bob Presutti. I'm sure a lot of you here know Bob and know his contributions to the city, not only when it comes to trees and parks but also to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program."
The longtime volunteer passed away last year at the age of 88. He contributed more than 10,600 hours to RSVP and had great impacts on the Parks Department over the years from sharing his knowledge and talents to ensuring that workers were safe when working on trees.
"This morning I went through my emails to see how many emails Bob Presutti sent me since the year 2001 when I started with the city. Bob Presutti sent me 14,000 emails and nearly every single one of those was about trees," McGrath said, prompting laughter and smiles from attendees.
One thread struck him as particularly important because it showed Presutti's empathy when it comes to the safety of city workers while caring for trees.
"There were multiple emails from Bob about the need to get the Parks Department maintenance guys into a program learning about chainsaw safety and learning about ladder safety. He was really into making certain that our city workers were well cared for and had all of the instruction that they needed and in fact, he even offered his own time and services after he became certified to teach our city workers," McGrath said.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
click for more
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
click for more
Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
click for more
The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
click for more