Reimagine Dunham Mall Calls for Public Art

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Organizers of Reimagine Dunham Mall announced two calls for public art and a project update on Spring 2025 installations to support the use and beautification of Dunham Mall.
 
Reimagine Dunham Mall aims to support area business, recreation, pedestrian networks, and parking accessibility for residents and visitors of downtown Pittsfield.
 
In the Spring of 2025, Pittsfield residents can expect to see a new public art piece installed in Dunham Mall as part of the first of two installation phases. Also, as part of phase one, 8 large planters with Heritage Birch trees will be installed to provide shade and natural habitats, as well as smaller planters with annuals, bistro seating, bollards (to enhance safety of the pedestrian area), and wayfinding elements like a kiosk and Pittsfield branded banners.
 
Two calls for art are open now for projects to be installed on Dunham Mall. The calls for art close on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11:59 PM.
 
The first is for a Digital Map of Downtown. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a digital map of downtown Pittsfield that will be centralized in Dunham Mall and reproduced for use throughout downtown. Map boundaries will be the Colonial Theatre and Carr Hardware (South/North) and two blocks out in the East/West directions. Final map dimensions (delivered digitally) should be 36"x 24" with standard bleed. The budget for design is $2,000. Artists must have their own technology to produce the image. The chosen artist will be recognized by name in all reproductions of the work, but Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will own the rights to the final image. View the application here: https://forms.gle/ttTY8T8TJ46MhKtSA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final map must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The second call for art is for a large mountable mosaic for Dunham Mall. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a large mosaic that will be installed in Dunham Mall. The piece will be mounted on a brick wall and should have dimensions of 10' wide by 8' high. The budget for art is $3,000 with an additional $500 stipend for materials. Artists must have their own tools to produce the mosaic. View the application here: https://forms.gle/oHL7DeNrV1aNoxESA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final mosaic must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. Designs must be family friendly, and the theme of the work should reference the natural beauty of the Berkshires. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The project timeline for both calls for art is as follows:
  • Sunday, February 2: Artist call closes
  • Friday, February 7: Artist selected
  • Friday, February 28: Initial design sketch due
  • Monday, March 31: Design finalized and delivered
  • TBD: Dates of installation
Reimagine Dunham Mall was made possible by community contributions from residents, friends at Pittsfield Beautiful, and a Commonwealth Places grant. The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA), The City of Pittsfield, MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Pittsfield Community Design Center are spearheading this project.
 
For more information, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

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Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, Name

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond. 

This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February. 

"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said. 

"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just the West Side. We serve people from other parts of Berkshire County. So the hope is just to make it more inclusive." 

The Christian Center was a stop on Berkshire Community College and NAACP Berkshires' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The nonprofit will hold three input sessions at 193 Robbins Ave. to inform future programs and branding, and ensure that West Side voices are heard. 

The sessions will be held on: 

  • Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
  • Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. 

The center dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission started by the Methodist Church to serve newly arrived immigrants and help them assimilate. The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974. 

Over the decades, it has drifted away from a faith-based organization to a space for anyone who needs a meal, a warm jacket, a place to bring their child, or a meeting place. A space for everyone. 

This is what center officials wanted reflected in the name. 

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