W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School Names Next Principal

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — After a search committee including staff, parents, and administrators conducted two rounds of interviews, Seth Lewis Levin has been named the next principal at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School. 
 
The dedicated PK-12 education leader brings more than two decades of experience building inclusive, high-quality school systems to the position, succeeding Principal Jake McCandless who will retire at the close of the academic year.
 
"Seth's references reflect a thoughtful instructional leader who listens well and is deeply committed to supporting students, families, and staff," said Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon. 
 
From leading the PK-8 Tobin Montessori School in Cambridge to expanding secondary schools in New York City, Lewis Levin's career has been defined by a commitment to equity and research-based frameworks, stated a press release. 
 
He currently serves as the Senior Director of Education at Temple Judea in Miami. 
 
Levin holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Long Island University; a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College; a Master of Arts in Teaching from New York University; and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University. 
 
Throughout his career, Lewis Levin has consistently prioritized children first he said.
 
"As someone who is constantly mesmerized by the curiosity and goofiness of tweens, I am thrilled to join W.E.B. Du Bois regional Middle School—a place where I look forward to collaborating with a dedicated staff and partnering with every family and the community," said Lewis Levin who resides in Cannan, New York. 
 
Outside of school, he enjoys various Sunday traditions including hiking Monument Mountain, skiing Butternut, and devouring new fiction at Lakeville Books with his family. 
 
The District plans to schedule a public meet and greet with Lewis Levin prior to his official July 1 start date.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Art Center Announces Fall 2026 Classes & Workshops

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) invites artists of all ages and experience levels to participate in  lineup of Fall 2026 classes and workshops.

With programs offered at Citizens' Hall in Stockbridge as well as partner locations including Berkshire Music School, WANDER Berkshires, and the Mass Audubon's Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, BAC's fall season celebrates creativity through ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and more.

Ceramics students will find opportunities to develop their skills this fall. Faculty Artist Paula Shalan returns with Tableware: Creating with Soft Slabs, where students create functional pottery such as mugs, tumblers, and bowls, as well as Cut, Add, and Stretch: Creating with Soft Slabs, which explores more contemporary approaches to handbuilding. Jess Cropper-Alt teaches Timeless & Tactile: Handbuilding Traditions, while Donna Bernstein leads Wheel Throwing for All, an all-levels course featuring demonstrations, individualized instruction, and ample studio time.

For those looking to try clay for the first time, Lorimer Burns offers Try Your Hand at the Pottery Wheel, a welcoming two-hour introduction to wheel throwing. BAC also offers fun, social workshops including Wall Pocket Party, perfect for beginners, friends, couples, and families with children ages 10 and up, and Pottery Night: Beer Stein Social, an evening of creativity and community where participants craft their own handmade ceramic beer stein.

Mixed media and printmaking enthusiasts will find an inspiring variety of offerings throughout the season. Jody King Camarra teaches Color Theory Through Collage, Print Lab: Collagraph, Drypoint & Relief, Working in a Series: Creating Cohesive Collages, Monoprint Magic, and concludes the season with the festive workshop Handmade Holidays: Winter Layers in Gel Plate Printmaking.

Additional printmaking opportunities include Eco-Printing: Basics and Beyond with Mallorey Caron, where students create beautiful botanical prints using real flowers and leaves, Gelatin Plate Printmaking with Johanna Merfeld, an introduction to playful experimentation with layering, texture, stencils, and image transfers, and Image Transfers & Mixed Media, where Diane Firtell shares versatile techniques that can stand alone or enhance existing artwork.

Photographers can celebrate autumn alongside Thad Kubis, whose seasonal workshops include Photography of Daniel Chester French's Studio at Chesterwood in Stockbridge and Photographing Fall Colors in the Berkshires at Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield.

Painters and drawing enthusiasts will discover classes ranging from foundational techniques to expressive exploration. Jill McLean returns with Watercolor Foundations and Watercolor Landscapes at Berkshire Music School, along with shorter, 1-day workshops including Berkshire Polaroids in Watercolor and Handmade Holidays: Watercolor Bookmarks.

Wednesday Nelena Sorokin offers Creative Writing & Abstraction, where students use stream-of-consciousness writing to inspire expressive abstract paintings, along with Painting Basics, Two-Dimensional Composition Workshop, and the popular Abstract Painting: Color, Design and Spirit. Artists looking for a relaxed, supportive studio environment can also enjoy the return of Friday Painting Studio, featuring a new and more accessible tuition rate and experienced facilitators who provide encouragement, feedback, and creative community while participants work on independent projects.

BAC's monthly workshop series at WANDER Berkshires in Pittsfield also continues this fall. Held on the second Saturday of each month, these welcoming two-hour sessions invite participants to sketch, paint, journal, and experiment in a relaxed community setting—no long-term commitment required. The series begins September 12 with Commonplace Visual Journaling led by Kaily Ritz, followed by Mini Nature Assemblage Boxes with Johanna Merfeld on October 10, Indoor Urban Sketching with Jill McLean on November 14, and concludes December 12 with Watercolor Reset for the New Year, led by BAC Executive Director Laura Thompson.

For a complete schedule of classes and workshops or to register, visit www.berkshireartcenter.org/classes.

 

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories