BCHS to Present Exhibit at Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society will present an exhibition of works by contemporary artists Jim Jasper and Christopher Volpe, beginning August 5.

The exhibit explores several themes, including the effect of industrialization on the natural world, ethnic stereotypes, queerness and disability. The exhibition runs through August 26 and is being presented at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield.

"Moby-Dick remains a classic novel because its themes are universal and inspiring," said BCHS Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "This exhibition allows the public to see the novel through the eyes of two contemporary visual artists whose work explores some of the same themes, each in their own way."

Exhibition Curator Erin Hunt worked with Jasper and Volpe to choose works from two of the artists' large series of works. Jasper’s Moby Dick is a single work comprised of 140 drawings meant to be shown together with each representing a single chapter from Melville’s novel.

Some drawings, such as The Affidavit and The Chart, use imagery from whaling captains’ logbooks and sailors’ journals. It is based on Owen Chase’s drawing of the Essex after it was rammed by a sperm whale. Going Abroad references the stereotypical descriptions of ethnically diverse sailors on the Pequod and other whaling ships of the time. Jasper’s drawing flips the perspective by focusing on the act of viewing as opposed to who is being viewed.

In addition to works from Volpe’s Loomings series of paintings that combine tar, oil paint and occasionally gold leaf, the artist has created new works for the exhibition. The title of Volpe’s Loomings paintings quote or reference Moby-Dick and represents the novel’s apocalyptic vision of the American quest.

"From feature films to Far Side cartoons, there is no lack of visual representations of Melville's enduring novel," said exhibition curator Erin Hunt. "Jasper’s and Volpe’s powerful explorations of the story of the great white whale add unique perspectives to the existing canon of interpretations, and I’m excited to be able to bring their work together here in Pittsfield."

The exhibition and related events are sponsored by Berkshire Bank.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.