Fiona Breslin reports from Pittsfield. Just a few short weeks after Berkshire Museum unveiled its new commission by glass artist Tom Patti, the museum's galleries came alive again after-hours on Thursday, July 12, for the opening reception for Rethink! American Indian Art at Berkshire Museum. The exhibit combines traditional Native American art and artifacts drawn from Berkshire Museum's permanent collections with contemporary work by artists of American Indian heritage, creating a dialog between our cultural past and present. Attendees (including Karen Dolmanisth and David Guarducci at left, who came dressed for the occasion) viewed wall paintings, comics, traditional moccasins and Metis vests, intricately beaded high-top sneakers, woven artwork, video installations and more, before museum director Van Shields and director of interpretation Maria Mingalone, who co-curated the exhibit with art historian Margaret Archuleta and collections manager/registrar Leanne Hayden, made their opening remarks. Rethink! will remain on view through January 6, 2013.
Museum board members Ethan Klepetar and Stacey Gillis Weber; artists Linda Kaye-Moses and Peggy Rivers.
Supporters Patricia Moynahan and John Moynahan; Berkshire Museum's Caitlin Allard, John Lor, and David Hyde.
Joan Gluck, co-curators Margaret Archuleta and Maria Mingalone, and Paul Gluck.
David Glodt, Elaine Christopher, and museum executive director Van Shields; Edward Sullivan and artist Roberto Juarez.
Realtor Barbara Schulman and photography student Camille Breslin in front of a favorite work by Keith Haring; Midge Colin and Janet Eisenstein.
T Square Design Studio'sRichard Tovell and Abby Tovell check out beaded high-tops; museum executive director Van Shields, artist Carol Diehl, and museum development director Nina Garlington.
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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
