Enjoy art shows, open studios, and community art making during the Holiday First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, December 2, from 5 to 8 pm. Explore art and meet artists during opening receptions on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 8 pm, with most art on display all month long. Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone. The Holiday First Fridays Artswalk is being held in conjunction with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s Festive Frolic.
The Wreath Art Auction makes its return to the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, on Friday, December 2. Dozens of local artists and members of the Springside Greenhouse Group have donated their talent, time, and materials to create one-of-a-kind, original holiday wreaths, centerpieces, kissing balls, and more. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these original works of art will be donated to the South Congregational Church’s food pantry. The preview party begins at 5 pm and the live auction will take place at 6:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $10. Light food and beverages will be available.
Join Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, for a Free Family Drop-In Holiday Art Activity from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Friday, December 2, and on Saturday, December 3, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Families are welcome to participate at their own pace with the guidance and support of a faculty artist. Free Family Drop-Ins are open to the public and all children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required.
The Brothership Building Window at 141 North Street, curated by Berkshire Art Center, will feature “Artful Pots!”, ceramics by Ingrid Raab, for the month of December. As a ceramicist, Ingrid explores balance, containment, and new perspectives. Her shapes are reminiscent of familiar, often ancient functional forms. She interprets these shapes by interchanging contemporary textures, shapes, and materials with traditional ones, hoping to connect feelings and thoughts in new ways.
Lee Bank, 75 North Street, will offer free hot chocolate and drop-in ornament making from 5 to 7 pm on December 2.
The Artists at the historic Clock Tower will host a Holiday Open Studios event on Friday, December 2, 5 to 8 pm, and Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Clock Tower Studios are located on the third floor of the Clock Tower at 75 South Church Street. The Clock Tower Artists have created new original small paintings and have printed items perfect for gift giving. Visit for a festive holiday experience!
The artists hosting open studios at the Clock Tower during the Festive Frolic are Deborah Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Marion Grant, Stacey Healey, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Ilene Richard, and Sally Tiska Rice. For more information, visit https://clocktowerartists.com.
Artists of the Guild Berkshire Artists will bring reasonably priced treasures from their studios to TKG Real Estate, 137 North Street, from 5 to 8 pm on December 2. Find unique, original gifts at amazing prices: earrings, cards, small paintings, prints, and more.
Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature artworks by Ellie Kreischer through January 31, 2023. There will be an opening reception with the artist during the First Fridays Artswalk on December 2 from 5 to 8 pm, and her works can be viewed when the lobby of Hotel on North is open.
Ellie currently teaches studio art at Miss Hall’s School. She studies the life and work of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, traveling to see her shows, reading her writings, and staying in touch with her family. Beyond her connection to Hilma, Ellie draws inspiration for her art from her daily life which includes caring for her six-year-old daughter, supporting her students’ artistic pursuits, walking in the Berkshire woods, and practicing meditation.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will present “Artswalk at the UU. A year in review.” for the month of December. There will be a reception with the artists on Friday, December 2, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk.
This show will feature a varied group of artists that have participated in the Artswalk over the last year at the Unitarian Universalist Church. If you enjoyed visiting the many gifted artists over the last year, or missed a show, now is your chance to see the artist’s most favorite piece and connect with them about their work.
New to Artswalk, Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, will present artworks by Kit Curry for the month of December. In Kit’s work, ruins, ancient and modern, frequently serve as background for folkloric characters, who seem to have returned to the world after some calamity. The images are sometimes macabre, but also serene. This is Kit’s vision of the future; it affirms something that we’ve all had to learn in recent years: the end of the world can, to a certain extent, be lived with.
On Friday, December 2, Witch Slapped will stay open until 8 pm with The Emerald Phoenix popped up and a free Kids’ event from 5 to 8 pm where they can make their own ornament. At 6:30 pm, there will be a Drag Storytime as Island Fawn reads a children’s holiday story!
Soma’s Aromas, 81 East Street, will feature artist Anita Plouffe who will be painting live on Friday, December 2, from 5 to 8 pm.
The Beacon Cinema, 57 North Street, will feature “The Instagram Image Out Of Context” curated by Richard Britell through December 20. For this exhibit, 20 images were selected from Instagram feeds, framed, and hung on the wall as an artistic statement. The exhibit can be viewed when The Beacon Cinema is open.
For more information on First Fridays Artswalk, visit firstfridaysartswalk.com or call 413-443-6501.
Event Highlights (South to North):
Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield
175 Wendell Avenue
“Artswalk at the UU. A year in review.”
Opening Reception: December 2, 5 to 8 pm
Artists at the Clock Tower
75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Deborah Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Marion Grant, Stacey Healey, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Ilene Richard, and Sally Tiska Rice
Holiday Open Studios: December 2, 5 to 8 pm AND Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 10 am to 4 pm
Soma’s Aromas
81 East Street
Artist Anita Plouffe will be painting live on Friday, December 2, 5 to 8 pm.
Witch Slapped
78 North Street
Artworks by Kit Curry
December 2, 5 to 8 pm: Free Kids’ Ornament Making!
6:30 pm: Drag Storytime – Island Fawn reads a children’s holiday story!
The Marketplace Cafe
53 North Street
Opening Reception: December 2, 5 to 7 pm
The Beacon Cinema
57 North Street
“The Instagram Image Out Of Context”
Curated by Richard Britell
On View: December 2, 5 to 8 pm
Lee Bank
75 North Street
December 2, 5 to 7 pm: Free hot chocolate and Drop-in ornament making
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue
Wreath Art Auction
ONE NIGHT ONLY: December 2. Preview party at 5 pm. Live auction at 6:30 pm. Tickets available at the door for a suggested donation of $10.
TKG Real Estate
137 North Street
Artists of the Guild Berkshire Artists will bring reasonably priced treasures from their studios to you! Find unique, original gifts at amazing prices: earrings, cards, small paintings, prints, and more!
December 2, 5 to 8 pm
Berkshire Art Center/Brothership Building Window
141 North Street
Window Display: “Artful Pots!”, ceramics by Ingrid Raab
Free Family Holiday Art Making Drop-In: December 2, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Hotel on North
297 North Street
Ellie Kreischer
Opening Reception: December 2, 5 to 8 pm
Other activities as part of the Downtown Festive Frolic:
City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, December 2, 6 pm
Hot Chocolate Bar & Photo Booth at Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort – Friday, December 2, 5 to 7 pm
Elf Invasion Pub Crawl with Berkshire Mountain Distillers – Friday, December 2, 7 pm to 12 am
Featured images in header (left to right): Ilene Richard and Linda Petrocine