Pittsfield City Hall engages thriving arts community

Artist Scott Taylor hangs pieces in Pittsfield City Hall as part of the First Annual Mayor and First Lady’s Invitational City Hall Art Show, opening Friday night.

PITTSFIELD – Inspired by the First Fridays Artswalks in downtown, Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi and his wife, Theresa, are showcasing local artists’ work on the walls in city hall.

“We’ve loved meeting local artists and enjoying their work each month during the First Fridays Artswalk downtown,” Mrs. Bianchi said. “And we wanted to share it with everyone who comes to city hall, from city employees and community members to congressman and senators.”

Mayor Bianchi added, “I would like people to come here for something other than paying taxes.”

The artists featured in the First Annual Mayor and First Lady’s Invitational City Hall Art Show, who are all Pittsfield residents, are Morris Bennett, Marguerite Bride, Joanie Ciolfi, Diane Firtell, Susan Geller, Grier Horner, Anne Roland and Scott Taylor.

“The artistic community is strong in developing the economics in downtown Pittsfield,” said Mr. Taylor, who did most of the setup for the show as well.

The show features both representational work, favored by Mrs. Bianchi, and abstract work, a favorite of the mayor. In fact, the abstract painting “Loop” by Ms. Ciolfi is on display just outside of the mayor’s office.

The opening reception for the show coincides with this Friday’s (Dec. 7) Artswalk, taking place from 5-8 p.m.

“I’m very happy that Pittsfield City Hall will be joining in for the Dec. 7 Artswalk,” Mayor Bianchi said. “Please stop by and see us when you’re making the rounds.”

The artwork will remain on display through Jan. 31 and can be viewed during city hall’s normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., as well as evening hours when the building is open for meetings.

Lichtenstein show

A couple of blocks over, in another building owned by the city, this month’s First Fridays Artswalk will feature the opening of the show “Out of the Studio,” which features work by artists who have studios in the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.

“It was overdue,” said Pittsfield Director of Cultural Development Megan Whilden, who also has her office in the Lichtenstein Center.

Julio Granda (right) hangs a piece of his artwork with some assistance from fellow artist Mario Calouri as part of the “Out of the Studio” show at the Lichtenstein Center.

The featured artists in this show include Lorraine Abruzzo, Mario Calouri, Peg Dotchin, Julio Granda, Jim Horsford, Sean McCusker and Michael Rousseau. Nicole Rizzo, studio resident and founder of Gypsy Layne Burlesque and Cabaret, will also present a special performance at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

If you can’t make it this Friday, the show will be on display through Jan. 19 during the Lichtenstein’s normal hours, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12-5 p.m.

More information about the First Fridays Artswalk, including other shows, can be found online at firstfridaysartswalk.com.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on December 6, 2012. Filed under Arts and Entertainment,Community Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry