Berkshire Museum Opens 'Art of the Hills'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Museum presents Art of the Hills 2024, a juried exhibition featuring regional artists working in all mediums and styles
 
Berkshire Museum celebrates the fourth installment of its bi-annual exhibition Art of the Hills. Opening oct. 5 through Jan. 5, this exhibit offers a look into Berkshire-area working artists through various mediums, expressions, and styles. 
 
An opening reception, free to the public, will be held at the museum on Oct. 5 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. 
 
Art of the Hills first debuted at Berkshire Museum as a bi-annual exhibit in 2018 and continues to celebrate the artistic and creative culture of the region through both emerging and established artists working or living within 60 miles of the museum's location in downtown Pittsfield. Over the years this locally focused exhibit has featured the works of well-known artists Julia Dixon, Ralph Frisina, Patricia Hogan, Dan Mead, and Sally Eagle.
 
Works included in Art of the Hills 2024 were selected by jurors Jesse Kowalski and Kentaro Tomio. The exhibit will feature 41 works by 33 artists drawn from over 1,200 submitted works. Kowalski joined the Berkshire Museum as Chief Curator in 2023 after serving as Curator of Exhibitions at the Norman Rockwell Museum, and Director of Exhibitions at the Andy Warhol Museum. Tomio is a retired museum curator who has organized over one hundred exhibitions drawn from collections ranging from old masters, Asian, American, and Mexican folk art, to works by contemporary artists.
 
"The overwhelming response from over 460 regional artists to the Berkshire Museum's call for art speaks to the vibrancy of the Berkshire County artist community, and reinforces the museum's commitment to showcasing these local artists," said William Dore, Exhibitions Manager at the Berkshire Museum. "We are excited to welcome these talented artists 'home' - many have found inspiration in our galleries - to share their latest works in Art of the Hills 2024."
 
Art of the Hills 2024 includes works by the following artists:
 
Adrian Holmes
Antony Zito
Ashley Hyatt
Bart Elsbach
Brian Batista
David Reichard
Deborah Bayly
Deborah H. Carter
Elano Dallmeyer
Elizabeth Buttler
Gabe Kolodner
Gay Malin
James George Windram
Jane Bloodgood-Abrams
Jay Swift
Jeff A. Menges
Jennifer Maher Coleman
Jeremiah Bickford
John Tenney
Jonathan Nix
Marla Greenfield
Mary Claire Hogan
Katarina Spitzer
Michell Rathay
Patricia Weise
Ron Warren
Ronald Piazza
Ruth Sanderson
Skip Marsh
Stephen Earp
Susan W. Bues
Thaddeus B. Kubis
William Bracken
 

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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