Lisa Green reports from North Adams. The new administration in D.C. may threaten to shut down the NEA, but artists, creative entrepreneurs, arts administrators and non-profit cultural organizations in the Berkshires will always have 1Berkshire. The organization, which focuses on economic development, hosted its second Creative Resources Conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at MASS MoCA. Nearly 100 participants braved a slushy, sleety mess to attend panels and workshops geared to artists and creative entrepreneurs, which featured a keynote address by Cathy Edwards, executive director of New England Foundation for the Arts. Since one of the main goals of 1Berkshire is to provide opportunities for Berkshire creatives to network, the full day’s program ended with a reception next door at Bright Ideas Brewing. [Above, Bill Bean, one of the day's presenters, with Suzy Helme, director of events for the city of North Adams.]
Walter McTeigue of McTeigue & McClelland, David Curtis of 1Berkshire and Seth Nash of Blue Q;GalleristNatalie Tyler with Jonathan Butler, 1Berkshire's executive director.
Michael Cohen of catchinteract, Brendan Burns, director of Stepstone Art Resources, and Jamie Odegaard, a freelance business operator.
Jonathan Swartz, Daniel Parkins, who is currently working with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, and jewelry designer Robin Sills; 1Berkshire's Laura Wolf Brennan and Milton Ferguson.
Jacob's Pillow staffers Thasia Giles and Abby Wood flank Randal Fippinger, producing director of the '62 Center at Williams College.
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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
