Annual Pride Art Exhibit Extends Call For Art

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BECKET, Mass. — Organizers of the 2nd Annual Pride Art Exhibit have extended their submission deadline to April 7, 2026. 
 
The exhibit, hosted at the Becket Arts Center, features a jury composed of leaders from some of the region's largest arts institutions.
 
"When the forces of repression rise, it is vital we create spaces where queer artists' works can be seen and celebrated," said Bart Church, Q-MoB Executive Director and one of the key organizers of the Exhibit. "I am so proud that in the Berkshires leaders from many of our largest arts institutions have joined the jury to pull together this important exhibit of local queer artists, many of whom are struggling in the current climate to find ways to exhibit their work. Here in the Berkshires we celebrate diversity in the arts and go out of our way to make spaces for art and artists who some in power are trying to erase."
 
Produced by a coalition of local organizations—including the Becket Arts Center, Q-MoB, and the Berkshire Queer History Project and funded by grants from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation – the exhibit serves as a vital platform for queer creators at a time when national efforts to defund Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ arts initiatives are escalating.
 
Call for Art Details:
  • New Deadline for Submission by Artists: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
  • Exhibition Dates: June 11 – July 5, 2026, at the Becket Arts Center
  • Artist Compensation: Artists retain 75 percent of the proceeds from any works sold, alongside community visibility and patron support.
  • Eligibility: LGBTQ+ artists residing in Berkshire County or the seven surrounding counties (Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden, MA; Bennington, VT; Litchfield, CT; Columbia and Rensselaer, NY).
  • How to Submit: Artists can submit their works online at https://www.becketartscenter.org/pridecall2026
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of arts leaders.
 
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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.
EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.
 
William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 
 
Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.
 
"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.
 
"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."
 
Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.
 
For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series. 
 
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