Creative Economy Explored in Three Free Panel Discussions

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' and the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, in cooperation with Berkshire Creative, will present a trio of free "Tricks of the Trade" sessions this March that will explore ways to sustain and grow the creative economy.

"The Berkshires have been and continue to be a leader in recognizing the importance of the creative economy. It's an exciting time to look at where we are and how we continue to grow this essential sector of our economy," said Megan Whilden, director of cultural development for Pittsfield and president-elect of Berkshire Creative's Board of Directors.

The March sessions kick off on Tuesday, March 4, at IS183 Art School in Stockbridge with "The Creative Economy: Advocacy." For the creative economy to continue to grow, it needs to be recognized and supported by government at all levels: local, state and national. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and MassCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson will discuss the importance of making sure local voices are heard and how to be strategic about advocating for resources and policy that benefit artists, arts organizations, designers, creative businesses and more.

The discussion will be moderated by Whilden. IS183 Art School is located at 13 Willard Hill Road in Stockbridge.

The discussion will be moderated by Van Shields, executive director of the Berkshire Museum and president of Berkshire Creative. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is located at 28 Renne Ave., Pittsfield.

On Thursday, March 6, the final session on "The Creative Economy: Education & Training" will take place at MCLA's Gallery 51 at 51 Main St. in North Adams. Like other economic sectors, proper workforce development and training is required for current and future creative economy practitioners, whether they are artists, arts managers, creative businesses or solo practitioners.

Four local providers of creative economy training and education will talk about the field and where it is going. Moderator Lisa Donovan, author and MCLA arts administration professor, will be joined by Blair Benjamin from Assets for Artists and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Hope Sullivan, the executive director of IS183 Art School, Diane Pearlman, executive director of the Berkshire Film & Media Collaboration, and Christine Condaris, MCLA music professor and chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department.

All Tricks of the Trade session are free and open to the public and start at 6 p.m. For more information about the series, call the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center at 413-664 8718.

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring  — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours. 

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls. 

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10  to 5 and Tuesdays 10  to 3 for the holidays. 

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.