This past fall, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. held a photo challenge to find the photo that best captures why downtown Pittsfield is the “Heart of the Berkshires”. Entrants were encouraged to capture photos that showcased the beauty and personality of downtown Pittsfield, keeping in mind the theme “Heart of the Berkshires”.
The first-place winner, as determined by a panel of local judges, is Zach Morris of Pittsfield. His photo entitled “Tropical Pittsfield” has won him a prize package donated by local downtown businesses, and his photo will be featured in Pittsfield’s 2019 Downtown Guide and a Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. social marketing campaign.
Our second-place winner, Christy Butler of Cheshire, will also take home a prize package donated by local downtown businesses. His winning photo was of the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company performing at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Zone during the July 2018 Third Thursday.
Alan W. Metzger’s photo of Park Square in the spring takes 3rd place. Honorable mentions are photos by Shaun Muldowney and Maria Brodeur.
All 39 photos that were entered into the contest will be exhibited at Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 33 Dunham Mall, in May 2019 at a reception during the May 3rd First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm. The May 3rd Artswalk will be a part of the Massachusetts-wide ArtWeek.
The winners of the Pittsfield Photo Challenge were decided by an esteemed panel of Pittsfield judges: Senator Adam G. Hinds; Alexander Geller, Outreach Librarian, Berkshire Athenaeum; Cheryl Mirer, Executive Director, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.; Lindsey Schmid, 1Berkshire Director of Marketing and DPI Board Member; Kimberly Gritman, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Marketing Coordinator; Michael J. Wynn, Chief of Police, Pittsfield Police Department; Nicholas Russo, Alta Planning & Design, DPI Board Member, “The Pittsfielder”; Noel Henebury, Sales Manager at Hotel on North, Pittsfield Artscape Chair and DPI Board Member; Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier; and Ty Allan Jackson, Founder – BIG HEAD BOOKS, READ OR ELSE.
Our first-place winner will receive a prize package to include:
- $35 gift card to Patrick’s Pub
- $50 gift card, comfy throw, and tote bag from The Outlet at Pine Cone Hill
- $35 gift certificate to Berkshire Paint and Sip
- A one-month membership to Berkshire Fitness and Wellness and a ½ hour personal training session with owner, Aimee Marshall
- “Lunch with the State Senator” (for up to 4 people) with Senator Adam G. Hinds. Lunch can be in Pittsfield or at the State House – and if at the State House, it would include a State House tour.
- $25 gift certificate to The Marketplace Cafe – Pittsfield
- One 8″ X 8″ matted archival inkjet print by local artist Karen S. Jacobs
- One acupuncture treatment by Dawn Meltzer, LICAC, acupuncturist in Lenox, MA.
- One small painting by local artist Marney Shorr
- 6 inch Carrot Cake from Mary’s Carrot Cake ($25 value)
- 5 Original Cards by local artist Laura Didyk
- Matted Berkshires print by local artist Sally Tiska Rice
- Gift certificate to post flyers in Central Berkshire from “berkshireFLYER” ($50 value)
- 2 tickets to a show in the 2019 season at the Whitney Center for the Arts
Our second-place winner will receive a prize package to include:
- Two class passes ($20 value) to Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness
- $25 gift certificate to The Marketplace Cafe – Pittsfield
- One small painting on paper by local artist Peggy Morse
- A beautiful scarf from Dory & Ginger
- One gift certificate for a 60-minute Relaxation Massage Therapy at Intuitive Spirit Massage Therapy / Healing Arts
- 5 Original Cards by local artist Laura Didyk
- Matted Berkshires print by local artist Sally Tiska Rice