PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The final First Friday Artswalk of the season will take place on Friday, Nov. 6, with a variety of outdoor locations set up for a social distanced walk around downtown Pittsfield, along with a few indoor sites.
The storefront art displays, outdoor sculptures, and 19 of Artscape's Pittsfield Paintboxes will be on exhibit that evening from 5 to 8 and through the rest of the month.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
When participating in the Artswalk, patrons are asked to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from other individuals and wearing a mask is required.
A map above of all indoor and outdoor locations, including hours for the indoor shows, can be viewed at www.FirstFridaysArtswalk.com.
The Marketplace Cafe of 53 North St. will feature works by Kathryn L. Jenson, an artist working with watercolor who has lived and painted the landscapes of Western Massachusetts since 2001. Jenson enjoys painting in watercolor for its interplay of control and spontaneity. For the past three years, she has published the Hilltown Calendar and this exhibit will feature her work from the 2021 calendar, which can be found at www.kathrynjensenart.com. There will be an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renne Ave. will feature "NEXT," the Berkshire Art Association's Juried Biennial Show, through Nov. 20. NEXT features 37 works from 30 artists from New England and New York. These artists were asked to broaden and explore the questions: Where do we go next? What do we do next? What comes next? and respond with a unique artistic expression. This exhibit is open 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 6 with no appointment necessary but admittance will be limited to 10 at a time. To view NEXT at an alternate time, call 413-499-9348 to make an appointment.
The Brothership Building window at 141 North St. will feature "Collage Trees" by teacher Judy Callahan's 5th grade Egremont Elementary class for the month of November, curated by IS183 Art School of the Berkshires.
A BRAINworks (Berkshire Regional Arts Integration Network), Callahan partnered with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires to bring science and social-emotional learning into her virtual classroom through the power of collage. Over two weeks in four virtual classes, students have learned about collage, trees, and frottage: a colorful texture-rubbing visual art technique. Students have expressed that they really enjoyed the lessons and have produced texture rubbings and tree collages made of art materials and recycled household items.
NUarts Studios and Gallery will display the artwork of six artists in the storefront windows along Union Street just across the street from Barrington Stage Company's Mainstage. The display includes a new series of paintings, prints, and designer fashions. The participating artists include Ilene Richards, Karen S Jacobs, Caroline Kelley, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, and Marney Schorr. Each artists works in a variety of genres and media including acrylic and oil paint, fabric on mannequins, pastel, encaustic painting, and mixed media. This work will be on display through November.
Hotel on North at 297 North St. will feature "Horizon" by Andrew DeVries through Nov. 30. There will be a reception with the artist that is open to the public on Nov. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.
This exhibit shows the wide scope of the artist's oeuvre. In the bronze sculptures there are examples that range from his well-known dance pieces to works of abstract symbolism. The paintings are pastels done in his studio using live models, or creations that arise form his sketches drawn in dance studios such as The School at Jacob's Pillow, Julliard, Alvin Ailey and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. There is also an ink and watercolor series that illustrates DeVries' continued interest in bold color and outline.
The November Artswalk will also highlight new downtown murals including: "The Sun Will Rise" by Jesse Tobin McCauley, Jay Tobin and Stephanie Quetti at 443 North St. and "Gaia" on Melville Street created by Mike Carty.
Also highlighted will be Artscape's three outdoor sculptures throughout downtown that have been extended through next April: Paul Angiolillo's "Flame of Hope," Joe Gitterman's "Couple 3," and Joe Chirchirillo's "Joshua Tree #2."
All art exhibits are on display in participating venues throughout the month. For more information on First Fridays Artswalk and to view a listing and map of all participating artists and locations, visit FirstFridaysArtswalk.com
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said.
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said.
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax.
The students have also been able to build friendships and experience new things, such as dancing for community events, taking a trip to Ireland and participating in competitions.
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Independent Connections officially unveiled its Massachusetts branch on Thursdsay with a ribbon cutting. The IT solutions company's specializations include consulting, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
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