Sandisfield Arts Center Announces 30th Anniversary Opening Weekend

07:00AM / Wednesday, May 28, 2025Print Story | Email Story

SANDISFIELD, Mass.— The Sandisfield Arts Center will commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2025 with Opening Weekend events on May 30 and 31. The weekend's theme is "The Landscape We Live," and it will also celebrate the installation of climate-friendly air conditioning and a renovated gallery space.

The season will begin with an art exhibition dedicated to Sandisfield, featuring its landscape, natural elements, and the works of local artists including Bill Carlson, Erika Crofut, Jaye Moscariello, Josie Miner, June Wink, Linda Moronti, Peter Biamonte, Sam Mercier, Susie Crofut, Teresa Bills, and Virginia Overton.

The exhibition will open with a reception on Friday, May 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Garfield Family Gallery, named in recognition of a donation from the Estate of Leslie and Johanna Garfield, who were long-time residents and supporters of the Arts Center. Following the opening, gallery hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends until its closure on July 6.

Saturday, May 31, will feature a Book Talk/Slide Show by Ron Bernard titled "From Church to Synagogue to Arts Center," followed by "Sandisfield in Poetry and Prose: Readings by Local Poets Hannah Fries and Hilde Weisert." The afternoon will conclude at 4 p.m. with "Singing Sandisfield’s Unsung Heroes," a recognition of local residents who contribute to the town.

The complete schedule for the 2025 season, which includes art exhibits, music, talks, workshops, performances, and films, is available at sandisfieldartscenter.org.

Renovations to the Arts Center's historic building, including climate-friendly HVAC, an upgraded electrical system, gallery improvements, and the groundwork for a kitchen and storage shed, were funded by grants from the Homestead Foundation, the Wyomissing Foundation, the Feigenbaum Foundation, the 1772 Foundation, the Estate of Leslie and Johanna Garfield, and individual donors. The project was guided by pro bono work from local architects and a project manager.

The Sandisfield Arts Center, located at 5 Hammertown Rd. in Sandisfield, MA, is a non-profit organization with the aim of preserving its historic building and providing cultural and educational programs for the community. The center is managed by a volunteer board and supported by volunteers and donors. Programs are partially funded by grants from the Sandisfield Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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Monument Mountain Sophomore Wins Congressional App Challenge

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:12PM / Saturday, January 17, 2026

Congressman Neal takes questions from students during his visit.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Monument Mountain Regional High School sophomore Jonah Sanabria is the winner of this year's Congressional App Challenge for the 1st Massachusetts District.

His Health Advocate application acts as just that in your pocket, Sanabria said, helping resolve one of the biggest problems in health care — miscommunication.

"Every day, patients of all ages go to the doctor feeling stressed, confused, scared and uncertain, meaning they often forget what they wanted to say, and they leave without fully understanding what was said or the plan ahead," he said.

"It's not because doctors don't care; it's because the system is set up in a way that makes relaxed communications really hard. Appointments are abbreviated. Patients aren't always sure what they can ask physicians, and nerves often make them forgetful."

The challenge was authorized by Congress in 2015 to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Each representative may host an official computer science competition in their districts. More than 85,000 high school students in all 50 states have since participated, with more than 18,000 in 2025.

Jonah beat out nine other submissions in the 1st Mass. His app will be featured on the challenge page and displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. In addition, he will have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill in the spring at a celebration called #HouseOfCode, where winning teams from across the country hear from lawmakers, interact with sponsors and partners at the STEM Expo, and demonstrate their apps.

Before a scheduled doctor's appointment, the program asks the user about their symptoms, health issues, and health goals and organizes and prioritizes questions to ask during the doctor visit.

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