6th Berkshires Arts Festival

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The 6th Berkshires Arts Festival hosts a wide range of fine art and fine crafts that will be on sale in a variety of styles from classic to contemporary; functional to fanciful and all on display in a lush summer setting. All 175 artists are jury selected. Live demonstrations, live music and entertainment, gourmet food and activities for children. The show is held rain or shine under tents outdoors as well as in the air-conditioned lodge. This year's highlights include the new Adirondack Style Tent – featuring superbly refined rustic furnishings by many of the top masters of the Adirondack Style. Meet Bim Willow author of Making Gypsy Willow Furniture. His daily workshops and classes are a must see as he first builds his pieces then offers the opportunity for you to build your own. Patrons will make a project of their choice – such as Birdhouse Bench, Birdhouse Chair, Arbor, Potting Bench, Loveseat or a Sculpture There is a nominal fee, depending on the complexity of the piece. - For more info, visit BimWillow.com James Mellick will be showcasing his intriguing, whimsical and captivating dog sculptures. There will also be a rare and engaging performance by this accomplished singer, songwriter and storyteller – fun for people of all ages. - For more info, visit JamesMellick.com Berkshires Arts Festival has become the event of the day for July 4ht holiday and a Berkshire tradition attracting thousands of art lovers who come to the Berkshires for theater, dance, music and art. Producers Richard and Joanna Rothbard are the owners of An American Craftsmen galleries in Manhattan and Stockbridge MA. and the producers of many fine art fairs. Richard is an accomplished craftsman who works in wood. His amazing as well as intriguing puzzle boxes which he refers to as Boxology, will also be on display. For more info on the 6th Berkshires Arts Festival, visit berkshiresartsfestival.com Where: Ski Butternut Ski Basin Route 23, Great Barrington , MA A delightful and scenic backdrop perfect for this high quality juried arts event. When: July 6th, Friday – 10am – 6pm July 7th, Saturday - 10am – 6pm July 8th, Sunday - 10am – 5:00pm Admission: Adults- $10, Seniors - $9, Students - $5, Groups of 25 or more - $7, Weekend pass - $13, Children Under 10 Admitted FREE Plenty of Free parking available.
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Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures. 
 
Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).  
 
The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:   
  • All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;   
  • All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and   
  • All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County. 
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To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.
 
In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated. 
 
"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season." 
 
As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration. 
 
The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:  
  • Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing 
  • Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live 
  • Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents 
  • Create year-round housing for artists 
  • Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment 
  • Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing 
  • Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots 
  • Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence 
 
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