Berkshire Art Association Celebrates 75 Years
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Art Association is celebrating three-quarters of a century supporting creatives while fostering a sense of community.
Artists, supporters, and board members raised a glass for the nonprofit's 75th anniversary at Hotel on North last week. Artist Jill McLean, who has been involved with the BAA for several years, pointed out that it can also stand for "Be an artist."
"It's woven into every program they do. Inclusion, encouragement, and tangible support that's always needed now more than ever," she said.
"As a young artist that benefited from sponsored art programs and art scholarships, I gladly collaborate with an organization that supports art involvement. I personally felt the good that these programs bestow. However, it's not only the money that helps. Yes, the funds BAA raises will pay for field trips and scholarships, but what they're doing is also exposing curious minds to the creative options that are possible, or allowing emerging artists to actually explore those possibilities for themselves."
President Michael Vincent Bushy admitted that he wasn't sure how to feel about a birthday party centered on the arts association, as "We're so outward facing, this is counterintuitive for us to take a moment and turn inward and say 'Hey, good job. We do a lot of good work.'"
"But we do. We do good work," he said.
"… And whatever we do not only brings resources to people who need it, but it brings joy to people. The things we do people enjoy, the things we do enrich people's lives, the things we do make things better, and we need more of that in the world."
Since 1950, the BAA has worked to connect artists with the community and make art accessible for all through shows and grants for art experiences. It also supports well-known events such as the First Fridays Artswalks and the 10×10 Art Show.
When it was founded, the organization was populated by wealthier people who could put their energies and resources into the arts. That is different today.
"It's changed. The economy's changed. The world has changed. We are now all working members of the board. We're all working members of our own lives, so we are all hands on deck all the time," Bushy said.
"All the events we do, we're constantly scrambling to find the time and the bandwidth in our own lives, and yet, everything comes together because everyone here is such a professional, and everyone here has so much to offer."
He emphasized that the board isn't the only members of BAA — participating artists are as well. Between new donors and artists, it sees between 25 and 35 new members per year.
McLean is approaching her 10th year donating artwork to the 10x10 Real Art Party, "One way we artists get to give back, doing what we do best by making art."
"Whether artists choose to create work to discuss or people appreciate and discuss the artist's work, both are necessary sides of the conversation, and whether that conversation is one of peace, rage, loss, or both, there's often an emotional release in both the making and the observing. Some artworks' existence may be as important to you as it was to the artist that created it," she said.
"So all of the work that BAA does echoes into our local community that art is important. My art is important, your art is important, and that sends a strong message to our youth that their art is important and that they are encouraged for wanting to pursue that art. So Berkshire Art Association wants you to be an artist now more than ever."
In the mid-2000s, Vice President of Exhibitions Sean McCusker displayed his second piece at a BAA art show and remembers "very vividly" being greeted by the BAA members, especially former president Mary Rentz, who passed away earlier in May.
There were "awws" from the small crowd as he held up the painting.
"Since then, I have certainly developed a lot as an artist," McCusker said, explaining that he is an exhibition coordinator at the Becket Arts Center and installs shows for a living. He still paints as well.
Board member Lawrence Klein, who organizes the comics and cartoons show, loves how BAA lets him "geek out" and create an exhibit that brings the community together.
"It's free, it's family friendly, and it allows me to use my creative juices. It inspires some of the kids who have seen the comic artists who draw the comics that have the art that's up on the wall for the movies and the animation and that they can be there and do it and see it and be a part of it, and that's just so amazing," he said.
"And it raises a lot of money, which I enjoy that aspect too, but it's great how all these different aspects, all these different people here, can bring each of their own talents to the Berkshire Art Association."
Rentz was recognized by several of the speakers. Bushy explained that "every single person" who knew her through the board felt special for knowing her and commended her curation of shows.
"And I know that Mary would be incredibly happy to see us all here today, and I know that Mary would be even happier to know that the work continues," he said.
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