Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield. Making a list and checking it twice usually applies only to Santa Claus when he’s trying to find out who’s been naughty or nice. But on Thursday night, February 19, an entire roomful of people were doing this -- taking pens to a list of 99 donated 10"x10" artworks on display in the Crane Room of the Berkshire Museum in order to choose their favorites. The Real Art Party (RAP), sponsored by the Museum, the Berkshire Art Association (BAA) and the Storefront Artist Project, is part of Pittsfield’s 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, and it allowed supporters to enter a raffle to win a piece of art for only $25. As numbers were called, winners raced around the room to snag their favorite painting, photograph or collage from the wall. Guests enjoyed local artisanal beers from Big Elm Brewery and wines from the city's own Balderdash Cellars. No entrant went home empty handed, and all pieces were claimed by the end of the evening. The party proceeds benefit Berkshire art students through BAA field trip grants and fellowships. Shown left, Sean McLaughlin, contributing artist Melissa Matsuki Lillie and Danielle Steinmann, vice president of the Berkshire Art Association.
Berkshire Museum board member Ethan Klepetar, contributing artist Jayme Kurland and the Museum's executive director, Van Shields; BAA board member Michael Vincent Bushy, writer Darcie Sosa and Matt Chester.
Contributing artist Diane Firtell, Stefanie Weber, Cecilia Hirsch and her daughter, Celina Savage; Lucie Castaldo, contributing artist and the associate program director at IS183, with Dina Noto, manager of Sienna Gallery in Lenox.
Jessica Cote and contributing artist Michael King; Kim Morris, Matt Albert and Shiobbean Lemme.
Berkshire Art Association vice president Danielle Steinmann with board members Jennibeth Gomez, photographer Susan Geller and painter Scott Taylor.
Nina Garlington, Berkshire Museum's Director of Development with Kim Donoughe and James Campagna; Berkshire Museum board president Bill Hines and Berkshire Magazine'sJen Hines.
Artists Jayme Kurland, Amber Doyle and Rebecca Weinman; Bonnie Hoskeer-Kirchner, Kelly Conant and Jerry Hughes.
Raffle winners pose in the Berkshire Museum's Crane Room with their chosen works of art.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
