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WHO- OR WHAT- IS THE BERKSHIRE ARTISANS?
The idea behind the Artisans is a belief that arts are vital to community life and important to individuals -- and that they should be accessible to all. The place which gives home to this idea is a historic building in the heart of Pittsfield, just a block from the main street of town. Our festive banner and a huge outdoor mural mark the spot. Inside, there’s a gallery and performance area, workshops, and artist’s studios. The people of Berkshire Artisans include administrators, local volunteers and friends, art teachers, students, exhibiting and performing artists, studio tenants, and YOU. It is your participation we seek -- in any of those categories -- so that we can continue to make our idea a reality.
Gallery Exhibits. The Berkshire Artisans Gallery features current work of local and regional artists and craftspeople, both well known and emerging. (If you live in the Berkshires, one of them may be your neighbor!) You’ll find high quality painting, sculpture, photography, and fiber art in media, styles and genres varied enough to please every sensibility. Exhibits change every six weeks, so come back again and again. Opening Parties. The public is invited , free of charge, to all gallery exhibit openings. Openings are parties which celebrate the artists’ accomplishments. Refreshments are served to the accomplishment of live piano music. Come and meet the artists and renew your connection with art and your community. Free Performances. The Berkshire Artisans also offers a regular schedule of free performances and readings by local musicians, dancers, actors and poets. These range from pure fun to the avant garde. Public Murals. Expressions of community art in its noblest forms, our outdoor murals grace the streets of Pittsfield. These feature scenes and dreams of contemporary and historic small-town life. Many local artists contributed to their making and Pittsfield residents had the thrill of being immortalized as subjects of paintings. You can take a walking tour of these masterpieces which leads directly to the door of the Berkshire Artisans. Gallery Rental. Interested parties can rent the gallery space for public receptions. Contact the Artistic Director for more information.
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The Berkshire Artisans is a community arts center. But more fundamentally, it is an idea, a place, and a group of people who share an interest in and a love for art.