Fiona Breslin reports from Pittsfield. Cocktails, a silent auction, live local music, beautiful flower arrangements, and night-long dancing under a disco ball, made Berkshire Creative's annual SPARKLE! on Thursday, December 6, at the Masonic Temple, a downright party as much as a fundraiser. Not to mention, this was one of the best-dressed events RI has been to all season. Partygoers (including Berkshire Creative board chair Cathy Deely and former director of Berkshire Creative and the current Creative Economy Industry Director for the state of Massachusetts, Helena Fruscio, left) put genuine effort into their wardrobes. Guests donned everything from sparkling head-to-toe gowns, festive jewelry, silk ties, velvet jackets, and other interesting fabrics and prints, all of which solidified the fun, sexy feel of the night. After all, this was a party for artist types. The mission of Berkshire Creative is to help foster economic opportunity in the region by encouraging collaborations among artists, designers, cultural institutions, and businesses. This party was a mission accomplished, as leaders and creatives from every corner of the Berkshire arts world were in attendance. Proceeds from SPARKLE! go to help benefit further Berkshire Creative programs and events, most of which are hosted free of charge.
Designers Lani and Maryanne Gillooly were responsible for the evening's flower arrangements; communications manager at Berkshire Film and Media Commission Lauren Zink, with president of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau Lauri Klefos, and executive director at Berkshire Fim and Media Comission Diane Pearlman.
Ethan Klepetar and Lisa Green; quiltmaker Lisa Gamble and Made in the Berkshires co-founder Hilary Somers Deely.
Liz Richards, Jacob's Pillow development manager and SPARKLE! committee member Alison Hart, and Brian Cruey.
BerkChique's Vicki Bonnington, who was also a SPARKLE! committee member, and Wendy Darling; SPARKLE! committee member and designer Crispina Ffrench with Michael Vincent Bushy.
Tom Wheelock, Kate Springman, Laurie Riley, Finn Black, Kevin Riley, and SPARKLE! committee member and photographer Carol Stegeman.
Aaron Wood and The Red Lion Inn's Stephanie Gravalese-Wood; Sarah Thurston and graphic designer Joshua Field.
Val Whaling and Berkshire Creative board chair Cathy Deely ; executive director at Berkshire Museum Van Shields and president of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Jennifer Dowley.
Casey Meade, make-up artist Kayla Jo, Berkshire Creative council chair emerita Nancy Fitzpatrick, and photographer Lincoln Russell.
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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
