Maddalina Penna's winning artwork is featured on this year's poster for the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Maddalina Penna had just won one award at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art when she walked into restaurant to seen another of her works prominently displayed.
"It's pretty insane that I've seen my art everywhere," the Pittsfield High junior said on Monday after being recognized as this year's first-place winner in the annual Berkshires Jazz Student Art Contest sponsored by the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival. "It's cool to see it around."
Jazz Chair Edward Bride noted that Penna's art "has been all over the city for a couple of weeks including on this poster for the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival."
More than 70 students from PHS submitted jazz-themed artwork and Monday morning the awards were presented at City Hall by Mayor Linda Tyer and Bride in honor of Jazz Awareness Month.
"The idea is to celebrate art and engage more people in appreciating it," said Bride. "And so we thought we'd call attention to the work that the students do other than making music. [Board member] Art Niedeck, who can't be here with us today, designed this art appreciation, student art contest."
The entrants were judged by professional artists Sally Tiska Rice, Dierdre McKenna and Marion Grant. In addition to first, second and third winners (who also won cash prizes), there were five honorable mentions.
Penna, who placed third last year, won for her bright and colorful pen and marker rendition of three musicians on violin, cello and trombone
The mayor queried Rice, who as in attendance on what the judges had looked for in the works, but not for Penna's.
"I don't need you to explain this to me," the mayor said. "I can see why, it's so intricate. ...
"The colors are amazing. The musicians are very — I love it that they don't have faces — and all this other artwork that you embedded into your piece, it's beautiful."
Penna said she's been seriously working on her art since sixth grade and plans to study art in college. She's sold a few paintings and won some competitions, "but this is the biggest."
Second place went to Katarena Castagna for her oil and pen image of a hard-working trombone players and third went to Abby Malumphy for her painting of instruments that gave the impression of a cityscape and roads.
Honorable mentions went to Ethan Breitmaier, Josephina Pixley, Paige Williams, Charlotte Goodnow and Piper Patton.
Bride thanked art teachers Colleen Quinn, Lisa Ostellino and Michael Greenberg for helping coordinate the event as well as his fellow board members.
"This has been really great. We look forward to this every year," said the mayor. "We'll see the artists next year."
Students participating in the jazz art contest are listed below; their work can currently be seen in the hallway outside the city clerk's office in City Hall.
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Greylock appoints Anthony Rinaldi as Director Emeritus
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Anthony Rinaldi as Director Emeritus in recognition of his longstanding and distinguished service to the credit union.
In March 2024, the Board of Directors voted to confer the Director Emeritus designation on Rinaldi. Individuals who are appointed Directors Emeriti function as an advisory committee to the board of directors. Rinaldi's designation reflects a two-year term.
"I'm honored to have served with Tony and am gratified to recognize his years of dedication and commitment to the members of Greylock," said Board Chair Peter Lopez. "We look forward to his continued involvement with the board as an esteemed advisor and Director Emeritus."
Rinaldi joined the board in 1994 and served as Chairman for five years. He most recently served as chair on the Asset-Liability Committee, or ALCO, and the Compensation committee.
"I've known Tony for many years and it's been an honor to serve with him on our board," said Board Member Sheila A. LaBarbera. "Our board has truly benefitted from Tony's tireless service, expertise, and generosity through the years and we are thrilled to honor him in this way."
Rinaldi recently retired from his role as the Executive Vice President of Fairview Hospital for Berkshire Health Systems. He is a graduate of Boston College School of Management with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He lives in Pittsfield with his wife, Wendy.
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