'Tricks of the Trade' Series Looks at Arts & Community

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A Program of the MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center
 Co-presented by Ferrin Gallery and IS183 Art School 

Tricks of the Trade 2011-2012
February: Integration of Art and Community   
MCLA GALLERY 51 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 @7PM (time changed)

Integration of Art and Community:
Round-Table Discussion Part I
MCLA Gallery 51

51 Main Street, North Adams, MA

Speakers/Panelists:

- Hosted by Jonathan Secor, Director of Special Programs at MCLA
-Richard J. Alcombright, Mayor of North Adams
-Nancy Bullet, North Adams City Councilor
-Alan Marden, North Adams City Councilor
-Keith Bona, North Adams City Councilor
-David Bond, North Adams City Councilor
-Veronica Bosley, Director of North Adams Office of Tourism
-Christine Dobbert, Florida Town Administrator

How can you effectively reach out and collaborate with the community through art? Panelists will discuss realized projects as well as possible future ones, sharing obstacles, community reluctance as well as benefits and tangible improvement of public engagement and participation. If you would like to seat right on front, make sure to come in early, this session seems to be very popular and registrants are many!

FERRIN GALLERY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 @6:30PM

Integration of Art and Community:
Round-Table Discussion Part II
Ferrin Gallery 
437 North Street, Pittsfield, MA

Speakers/Panelists:

-Hosted by Helena Fruscio, Massachusetts Creative Economy Industry Director
-Dan Bianchi, Mayor of Pittsfield
-Ben Dowing, State Senator


-Tricia Farley-Bouvier, State Representative
-John Krol, Pittsfield City Councilor 

How can you effectively reach out and collaborate with the community through art? Panelists will discuss realized projects as well as possible future ones, sharing obstacles, community reluctance as well as benefits and tangible improvement of public engagement and participation. All are encouraged to bring their own questions, thoughts and ideas.

IS183 ART SCHOOL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 @6:30 PM

Integration of Art and Community:
Round-Table Discussion Part III

IS183 Art School 
13 Willard Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA

Speaker/Panelist:

- Hosted by Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development for Pittsfield
-Susan Cross, Curator Mass MoCA
-Kate Merrigan, UNITY Program Coordinator of NBCC
-Sandra Newman, Founder and Executive Director of Community Access to the Arts

Can or should we separate the arts from community? We believe in communities where the arts or the arts community is not seen as separate. Each of the panelists will be asked to talk about how arts and community intersect in their work. As always, audience is invited to participate with questions, suggestions, examples.


All events are FREE, ADVANCE REGISTERATION IS REQUIRED 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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