Cultural correspondent Bess Hochstein reports: It felt a little bit like Brooklyn in the Berkshires on Saturday, July 25, as Pittsfield Contemporary opened its second annual show of work by artists living and/or working in Pittsfield. The city’s art crowd, in all its hatted and tatted splendor, filled The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts to celebrate the city’s cultural renaissance and enjoy a smorgasbord of delicacies from Brix Wine Bar. Juried by Maria Mingalone, Berkshire Museum’s director of interpretation, Art in America contributing editor Carol Diehl, and Kathleen Gilrain, executive director of the New York City arts organization Smack Mellon, the wide-ranging show in multiple media will remain on exhibit through August 29. Just don’t expect pianist Michael Gilbert to show up and tickle the ivories, as he did on a whim during the opening.
Massage therapist Malika Limon with artist and personal trainer Jeanet Ingalls; Cultural Pittsfield's Ryan Weightman & Megan Whilden.
Jazu Stine and his mother, Carol Gulias, with his sculpture.
The Berkshires Visitors Bureau's Carrie Saldo with writer Thomas Winstanley; artist Michael McKay in front of his work with B-HIP Cultural Pittsfield intern Christine Dunant.
Arts promoter Joe Durwin with artist Monika Pizzichemi of Empty Set Project Space.
Dave Stuart, Jes Gover, and artist Mike Carty; Autumn Doyle with her self portrait
Stuart Chase of the Berkshire Museum with artist Jay Elling; Mission Bar + Tapas owner Jim Benson with Carol Gulias.
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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
