Berkshire Art Association Extends Application Deadline for Festival

08:28AM / Friday, January 14, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Art Association is seeking donations of original artwork for our annual 10x10 RAP (Real Art Party) show and fundraiser raffle.

In collaboration with the Berkshire Museum and the city of Pittsfield's 10x10 Festival in February, the BAA welcomes submissions from artists from the Berkshires and beyond. All artwork will be included in a raffle to benefit art students of Berkshire County. The raffle and Real Art Party (RAP) will be a free, live and in-person event hosted by the Berkshire Museum on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

A $25 ticket purchase guarantees a 10x10 work of art.

All visitors to Berkshire Museum 18 years and older, must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination accompanied by photo ID. Acceptable forms of proof include a photo or hard copy of an official immunization record of a vaccine administered from within or outside the U.S. Digital forms of state or federally issued proof of vaccination such as the NY Excelsior Pass are also acceptable. Masks are required for everyone over two years of age while indoors.

Art Specs:

All artwork must measure 10x10 inches, prepared with a wire or hooks for hanging (wire and hooks may be provided). Artwork may be in any medium and should reflect the quality of your usual work. Three dimensional work in any media should fit in a 10x10x10 cube. Attach an Art ID (bottom of this document) to the back of each piece you donate (limit three works).

To register, submit your name, guardian's email, plus title and medium for each piece here and email the image to 10x10@berkshireartassociation.org with "5x5=10 RAP" in the subject line. Artists under 10 years old (and websites) will be added to the Artists Registry at berkshireartassociation.org.

DROP OFF 10x10 and 5x5 ENTRIES to the Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield

Feb. 5, Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m.
Feb. 6, Sunday, 1 - 4 p.m.
Feb. 7, Monday, 2 - 5 p.m.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

February 3, 2022 Registration deadline for 5X5 and 10x10 submissions
Feb 14 to 24 - 10X10 RAP EXHIBIT on view at the Berkshire Museum
Feb 24, Thursday - 10x10 RAP (FREE ADMISSION)
5pm - Doors open to the 10x10 Real Art Party
6 pm - 5x5 at 10x10 ARTIX drawn: Each $10 ARTIX guarantees a piece of original 5x5 art to take home.
7 pm -10x10 ARTIX drawn: Each $25 ARTIX guarantees a piece of original 10x10 art to take home.

Tags: art exhibit,

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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