Pittsfield Artswalks reach one-year milestone on Friday

PITTSFIELD – Tomorrow (May 3) marks the one-year anniversary of the First Fridays Artswalks, and plenty of celebrations are in store.

“First Fridays Artswalk has been a terrific example of how the arts and local businesses can work together in ways that benefit everyone, and draws both residents and visitors to our downtown,” said Pittsfield Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi. “I am so appreciative of all the work and support that has gone into this initiative.”

More than 30 venues (including galleries, restaurants and shops) will host the work of dozens of artists from 5-8 p.m.

Chair and Co-Founder Mary McGinnis will lead a guided tour of this month’s artswalk, starting at 5 p.m. at Gallery 25 (25 Union St.).

“Everyone’s invited to help us celebrate the one-year anniversary of Artswalk on May 3,” Ms. McGinnis said.

To celebrate the one-year milestone, Spice Dragon will also host a free anniversary party from 8-10 p.m. with live music, refreshments and a cash bar.

Student art a highlight

One highlight of this month’s event is the annual “Art in Our Schools” show at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. The exhibit features work by students in grades six through 12 from Herberg and Reid Middle Schools and Pittsfield and Taconic High Schools.

“It is interesting to see how [students] view themselves as they choose pieces that represent a sense of accomplishment, or vision, or inspiration,” Taconic art teacher Mary Beth Eldridge said. “In hanging the show, art teachers get to see the work and hear anecdotes about how the teachers encouraged and inspired their young artists.”

In total, more than 300 works of student art will be on display at the Lichtenstein. A public reception for the exhibit, including light refreshments, will take place during the artswalk.

New Artsbuck promotion

To mark one year of the arts initiative, Berkshire Money Management (one of the lead sponsors of the First Fridays Artswalk) has also announced a new “Artsbuck” promotion. For those who purchase a work of art for $200 or more, BMM will donate $100 to a local non-profit of the buyer’s choosing.

“We achieved measurable results with last year’s Artsbucks – with more art sold, more foot traffic and, as a business, we benefited as well,” said BMM President Allen Harris. “This was consistent with our hopes and philosophy about culture and the arts bolstering other types of business in Pittsfield and The Berkshires.”

For more information on the First Fridays Artswalk, visit discoverpittsfield.com/firstfridaysartswalk or call (413) 443-6501.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on May 2, 2013. Filed under Arts and Entertainment,Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry