Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield.Alchemy Initiative sure knows how to pick a party spot, as evidenced by the choice of venues for its annual Empty Stein fundraiser. Last year, the Inn at Richmond hosted, and this year Herman Melville's Arrowhead had the honors on Monday, July 21. Alchemy board members greeted guests and led them to tables laden with colorful steins, each with a beer ticket inside. The difficult part wasn't drinking libations provided by Big Elm, Wandering Star and three homebrewers, or eating a fine spread of appetizers and On A Roll eggrolls, but in having to decide on only one mug out of the 100 on display. Local potters Daniel Bellow, Stephanie Boyd, Ray Bub, Lorimer Burns, Ben C. Evans and Michael McCarthy, as well as the artists mentioned below, created unique steins to commemorate the occasion. The evening also included a performance by Satellite Shine (with Wes Buckley on guitar and Jason Schultheis on drums). Proceeds from the fundraiser support Alchemy's year-round workshops, Handmade Holiday Festival and management of the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market. Pictured above, standing: Stacy Strain and Patricia Boissevain; seated: Jennet Cook and her mother Janet Cook.
Sara Katzoff and Peter Wise, co-founders of The Berkshire Fringe; Rachel Parzick, Eamonn Barry and Chris Vecchia.
Stan and Jan Spencer with Jenny Benson and George Whaling; Megan Whilden and Berkshire Museum'sLesley Beck.
Alchemy Initiative board members: North Adams city planner Mackenzie Greer, director Jess Conzo, potter Sandra Thomas and Alison Basdekis.
Musician Wes Buckley with Jim Toner; Nina Garlington, Alison Turk, Jennifer Starr and Peter Garlington, Design Director at Interprint.
Danielle Hammell and Jeff Mason with Lyn Mason and Ron Mason; Aurora Cooper and Jen Jaehnig of Big Elm Brewing.
Brett Larmon and Wandering Star owner Chris Post; Chris and farm manager Kristen Laney with daughter Nora in front of the new chicken coop at Arrowhead's CSA farm.
Just a few of the steins guests were able to choose from. Pictured are steins by Amrita Lash (far left), Jackie Sedlock, Michael Boroniec, whose work will be on display at Lauren Clark Fine Art starting July 26, and Sandra Thomas.
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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
