Art show highlights locally-produced food

PITTSFIELD – Two of the city’s latest initiatives, the farmers market and the First Fridays Artswalk, are coming together for a new exhibit at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts (28 Renne Ave.).

“Fresh: From Farm to Gallery” will open during the artswalk on June 7 from 5-8 p.m. The opening is free, open to the public and will feature refreshments from Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market vendors.

“We are big supporters of local artists and also of local farmers and food producers,” Megan Whilden, Pittsfield’s cultural development director, said. “What could be better than bringing the two together?”

The exhibit, a celebration of locally-made food and art, features work by Phil Bastow, Marge Bride, Denise Chandler, Joan Ciolfi, Tom Fiorini, Diane Firtell, Ann Getsinger, Carol Gingles, Kate Knapp, Nina Lipkowitz, Nancy Magnusson, Laurie McLeod, Susan Merrill, Jen Morse, Isha Nelson, Sam Ponder, Gabrielle Senza, Mary Sipp Green, Savannah Spirit and Scott Taylor.

“Twenty accomplished artists are contributing to this colorful and lively show,” said Ms. Firtell, who also curated “Fresh.” “There will be farm animals in ceramic, metal and oil as well as pastoral paintings of bucolic farmland.”

The exhibit runs through June 29, and 30 percent of all art sales will benefit the farmers market.

“‘Fresh’ is a perfect expression of our mission at Alchemy Initiative and of the farmers market: celebrating local creativity and sustainability in one fell swoop,” said Jess Conzo, Alchemy Initiative director and Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market manager.

The farmers market runs every Saturday through Oct. 26 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the First Street parking lot across from the Common.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on May 30, 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