Enjoy a dozen art shows and exhibits during the First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, September 2, 5 to 8 pm. Explore art and meet artists during opening receptions on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 8 pm, with most art on display all month long. Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will present a painting exhibition by Nayana LaFond, “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People”, for the month of September. The exhibit will be on view September 2 – 30, and there will be an opening reception and artist talk during the First Fridays Artswalk on September 2 from 5 to 8 pm. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is open Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 am to 3 pm, or by appointment.
The Brothership Building Window at 141 North Street, curated by Berkshire Art Center (formerly known as IS183 Art School of the Berkshires), will feature Arte / Art, September 2-30. The work on display will be from local artists belonging to two Pittsfield-based organizations: Manos Unidas and Roots and Dreams & Mustard Seeds. Participating artists in the show include Matt Brinton, Soka Vanegas, and Nicole Fecteau. Their exhibited work incorporates pastel and charcoal drawings, photography, collages, and fiber sculptures.
Lee Bank, 75 North Street, will present Custom House Portraits by Marguerite Bride for the month of September. This will be a window display on view throughout the month. Select paintings will also be on view inside the bank during normal bank hours.
Marguerite Bride has been painting in the Berkshires for about 27 years. In addition to local scenes, one of her specialties is painting custom house portraits. This exhibit features selections of some of the 200 plus watercolors of homes she has completed over the years.
For the month of September, TKG Real Estate, 137 North Street, will present Finding Gold in West Stockbridge: Unexpected insights into the bucolic heart of quintessential Berkshire County. In this show, artist residents capture the quiet magic of hidden places: a look, a moment of light, a glimpse of another time.
Featured artists are Doane Perry, photographer; Adrian Holmes, painter; Susan Sabino, photographer; Walt Pasko, painter; Sharon Stanfield, painter; Jamie Levine, painter and Sally Lebwohl, pastels. There will be a reception as part of First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, September 2, 5 to 8 pm. The work will be up during the month of September and can be viewed when TKG Real Estate is open.
The Artists at the historic Clock Tower will host an open studios event on Friday, September 2, 5 to 8 pm, on the third floor of the Clock Tower at 75 South Church Street. Six established, visual artists will open their new studios to share their art and provide insight into their creative processes.
The artists at the Clock Tower are Marion Grant, Caroline Kelley, Mark Mellinger, Shany Porras, Ilene Richard, and Sally Tiska-Rice. For more information, visit https://clocktowerartists.gator.site.
The Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street, will present framed art from the children’s book, The Universe Is Rooting for You by Dan Sadlowski, for the month of September. There will be a reception with the author as part of First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 7 pm on September 2.
Dan Sadlowski is a children’s book author dedicated to creating stories that uplift and inspire. Sadlowski’s newest book, The Universe Is Rooting for You is about a little boy who surprisingly discovers everything in the universe and in nature is rooting for him. His first book, Finding Brooklyn – And The Next Great Superhero is beloved by fans worldwide. Sadlowski’s children’s books feature illustrator Allison Pierce, graphic designer Emily Gabriel, and artist Samantha Sadlowski.
The Beacon Cinema, 57 North Street, will feature artworks by Richard Britell for the September Artswalk. Richard Britell, a career painter, studied at Pratt Institute with Philip Pearlstein and Walter Erlebacher. His first show in NYC at Staempfli Gallery was sold out and reviewed in the New York Times. Britell’s new works revolve around large, dreamy cityscapes tending toward abstraction.
Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature “What Keeps My Heart Awake”, paintings by Marita O’Dea Glodt, for the September Artswalk.
“My journey each season through the Berkshires takes me through farms and orchards, across forests and preserves, inside waterfalls, under trees, on lakes and nearby swamps and streams, past rainstorms, morning light, and sunset and to the edge of riverbanks,” says Marita. “It has lifted me through these difficult times and has helped me navigate through the creative process and find joy in the simplest and yet most exquisite things.”
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will present “No Rhyme Or Reason, Back Again” by Amarie for the month of September. There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 2, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk, and the art will be on display through September 25.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will present Indoors Out! Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Friday, September 2, 5-7 pm, at the parklet and outdoor seating area at The Marketplace Café, 53 North Street. This free event is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although older children are welcome. All materials, snacks, and juice will be provided. For the September Paint & Sip, children can paint whatever they like! Children must be accompanied by an adult and masks are recommended. The alternate rain location will be at Hot Harry’s covered outdoor seating area at 37 North Street.
Indoors Out! Free Kids’ Paint & Sip is presented by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and funding has been provided by the Commonwealth Places Program created by MassDevelopment. This event is presented in partnership with First Fridays Artswalk.
Other participating venues are ReDefine (5 Melville Street), The Funky Phoenix (441 North Street), Mission Gastropub (438 North Street), and Soma’s Aromas (81 East Street).
Event Highlights (South to North):
Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield
175 Wendell Avenue
“No Rhyme Or Reason, Back Again” by Amarie
Opening Reception: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
Artists at the Clock Tower
75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Marion Grant, Caroline Kelley, Mark Mellinger, Shany Porras, Ilene Richard, and Sally Tiska-Rice
Open Studios: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
Soma’s Aromas
81 East Street
Art and Photography
Store Hours: September 2, 12 to 8 pm
The Marketplace Cafe
53 North Street
Framed art from the children’s book, The Universe Is Rooting for You!
Story by Dan Sadlowski. Illustrated by Allison Pierce. Graphic Designer Emily Sadlowski. Watercolor Artist Samantha Sadlowski.
Opening Reception: September 2, 5 to 7 pm
Indoors Out! Free Kids’ Paint & Sip
Outdoor Seating at 53 North Street
Rain location: Hot Harry’s (37 North Street)
Friday, September 2, 5 to 7 pm
The Beacon Cinema
57 North Street
Richard Britell
On View: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
Lee Bank
75 North Street
Custom House Portraits by Marguerite Bride
Window Display
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) presents
Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Painting exhibition by Nayana LaFond
Opening Reception and Artist Talk: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
TKG Real Estate
137 North Street
Finding Gold in West Stockbridge
Doane Perry, Adrian Holmes, Susan Sabino, Walt Pasko,
Sharon Stanfield, Jamie Levine and Sally Lebwohl
Opening Reception: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
Brothership Building Window
141 North Street, curated by Berkshire Art Center
Arte / Art
Local artists from Manos Unidas and Roots and Dreams & Mustard Seeds
Window Display
Hotel on North
297 North Street
“What Keeps My Heart Awake”
Paintings by Marita O’Dea Glodt
On View: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
ReDefine
Drop-in art activities and Endless Possibilities Pop Up Market at ReDefine on September 2, 5 to 8 pm. Corazonidos Community School activities, PG13 open mic, and meet 2 new local artists, Hannah and Lee!! Come chat about their creative healing journey! The Endless Possibilities Pop Up Market will have a variety of artists and vendors, and there will be community paint and creativity activities available to do!
5 Melville Street
Methuselah Bar and Lounge
391 North Street
Dramatic Themes/ Cosmic Dust
The Paintings of Edward Pelkey
On View: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
The Funky Phoenix
Cathartic Cazu in The Funky Phoenix parklet on September 2 from 6 to 8 pm with creative music! Community art projects outside to work on! Affordable Bike Repair will have used bikes for sale, a bike repair station, and professional advice and info for the new to experienced cyclist!
441 North Street
Mission Gastropub
438 North Street
Dennis Fougere
On View: September 2, 5 to 8 pm
Thrive Diner
145 Wahconah Street
Mural “Thrive Blooms”
Diane Firtell