Sandisfield Arts Center Announce 2026 Daniel Manacher Prize Winners

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SANDISFIELD, Mass. — The Sandisfield Arts Center has announced the winners of the 2026 Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists.

The work of the 2026 winners, alongside the 2025 prize recipients, will be featured in a biennial exhibition at the arts center from August 16 -30, 2026.

The annual prize was established by Adam Manacher and Carol Birnbaum in memory of their son, Daniel Manacher, to honor his passion for art and his love of interacting with others through creativity.

2026 Winners:

The 2026 competition was judged by acclaimed American artist Virginia Overton, the first female artist to hold a solo exhibition at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, New York, and her work is featured in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

?     Mari Maeve Brennan, from Sandisfield, a 2026 graduate of the Monument Mountain Regional High 

?     Tamar Byl, from Montague, MA, a recent graduate of Williams College

?     Moira Ford, from New York, enrolled at Williams College.

?     Katie Maier, from Atlanta, moved to the Berkshires in 2022

2025 Winners:

The 2025 contest was judged by Josephine Halvorson, an accomplished artist and Chair of the MFA Program in Painting at Boston University's College of Fine Arts. Josephine maintains a studio in Sandisfield.

?     Elizabeth Cheng, currently enrolled at Williams College

?     Enaya A. Ogletree, recent graduate of MCLA

?     Annie Scott, Williams College graduate

?     Evelyn Vollmer, recent graduate of Mount Everett Regional High School 

Biennial Exhibition Details

?     Opening Reception: Sunday, August 16, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

?     Exhibition Dates: August 16 – August 30, 2026

?     Location: Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255

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Victim Identified in Fatal Richmond Crash

Staff ReportsiBerkshires

RICHMOND, Mass. — A 25-year-old South County man died Thursday in the fiery crash on Route 41. 

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office on Friday reported that the victim was Christopher Lee Kilmer, 25.

The single-vehicle accident took place on Route 41 in Richmond near 2715 State Road. A Hyundai Sonata driven by Kilmer was travelling northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and off the road; the car was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.

According to the DA's Office, West Stockbridge Fire and County Ambulance declared Kilmer dead at 9:53 a.m. when the Fire Department "was able to extinguish the fire." 

"It was at this time (when the fire was extinguished) that first responders observed a single occupant in the vehicle and made the declaration of death," according to the press release.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the body. 

On Friday morning, several South County fire departments posted tributes on Facebook to Kilmer, who they reported was a member of the West Stockbridge and Alford fire departments.

"Every first responder carries a fear that one day the next emergency call will involve someone they know, a friend, a neighbor, or someone they love. But perhaps the greatest fear of all is when that call involves one of our own," the post read. 

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