Tyler Street Community Mural Unveiling Slated for Saturday

02:54PM / Wednesday, August 23, 2017Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, in partnership with the city of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development, invites the public to attend the official unveiling of the "Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow" mural on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 11:30 a.m.

The mural is located on the northeast side of Goodwill's building at 158 Tyler St.

Goodwill officials and Pittsfield Mayor Linda M. Tyer will unveil the mural in conjunction with the Pittsfield Better Block celebration that will follow from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The mural, created by local artist Kathy Garren, is a community art project that was sponsored by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and the Tyler Street Transformative Development Initiative through MassDevelopment, with assistance from Morningside UP, Sherwin-Williams and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Inc.

Garren was chosen by a jury made up of artists, business owners, and community members in the Morningside neighborhood following a call for art for the Mural Project. She is a children's book illustrator, portrait painter and muralist living in Dalton, Mass. Garren has worked on the restoration of the Vietnam Memorial mural in Pittsfield, and has done indoor murals for various restaurants in the area. Some of her most recent artwork includes illustrating several children's books written by Arlo Guthrie, including Old Bill, the Famous Berkshire Moose.

"I love living in the Berkshires and am so happy to be a part of all of the plans to the Tyler Street area," Garren said. "I think my Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow mural is a perfect symbol for revitalization and growth for that neighborhood."

Goodwill and Berkshire County Head Start will also host a Kidz Zone with games and activities for children of all ages at 214 Tyler St. during Pittsfield Better Block.

Tags: better block, community event, murals,

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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