The Berkshires prides itself as having a strong creative economy, and there was double-digit creativity on parade at the IS 183 "Anime Hothouse" benefit on Saturday night in Lenox. It was clear proof once more that beneath the Yankee rectitude the Berkshires is an exciting, slightly eccentic place. Held at Elm Court, one of the great summer cottages, the party felt like a spring version of Halloween: the trick was figuring out what to wear and the treat was raising money for IS 183, the Stockbridge art school that offers classes for both adults and children.
Gwen Davis & Mark Ouillette; David Schechter & VIcki Bonnington in flower-drenched outfits made and designed by Bonnington.
Mary Nash & Lauren Zivyak were just two of several women dressed as anime-obsessed Japanese school girls; landscape designers Lainie Grant & Matt Larkin.
IS 183 executive director Hope Sullivan, party co-chair Lucy Holland, Diane & Deval Patrick, the first lady and governor of Massachusetts ("We underdressed!" he said), Annie Selke of Pine Cone Hill and Charlie Schulze, the co-chair
Jaime Kelly of Pine Cone Hill and Barbara Schulman of Wheeler & Taylor; BIFF's Kelley Vickery and artist Cynthia Wick.
Dr. Mark Vanden Bosch, actress Hilary Somers Deely and Hunter Runnette.
Artist and designer Clifton Jaeger with Maud Gabriel; Sarah McNair with Angela Cardinale of Berkshire Farm & Table.
Jewelry designer Dai Ban and Robin Ban who owns Seeds in Great Barrington; designer Mary Garnish, Blue Q's Seth Nash and Alan Bauman of CompuWorks.
Kate van Olst, Nancy Kalodner of Benchmark Real Estate, and the artist Walton Ford, who donated a work to the live auction.
Michele O'Hana who owns Local in Lenox; Brian Butterworth of the Red Lion Inn with David Rosenthal.
Annie Selke and artist Melissa Lillie; Carolann Patterson of Williamstown Theatre Festival with Reid White.
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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
