Must see modern artist studios housed in the historic Clock Tower

If you haven’t visited The Clock Tower Artists in Pittsfield yet, the winter months are the perfect time to drop in at an open studios event or stroll their self-guided gallery tour. The Clock Tower Artists are a growing collective of working artists on the 3rd floor of the Clock Tower Business Center at 75 South Church Street in Pittsfield. On the 3rd floor, you will find gorgeous, modern studio spaces that are the home to over a dozen artists, and a stunning new gallery space with ample room for gatherings and performances.

The home of The Clock Tower Artists is the historic Clock Tower which was part of a seven-building complex erected in 1883 by the Terry Clock Company. In the 1890s, the complex was acquired by Arthur W. Eaton and his associates to form the Eaton Paper Company, and at that time, it was the world’s largest plant for converting fine stationary paper. Today, the Clock Tower is home to condominiums, business offices, The Berkshire Eagle, and most recently artist studios.

From May through December, The Clock Tower Artists host an open studios event on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 8 pm (as part of the First Fridays Artswalk) and on the first Saturday of the month from 11 am to 4 pm. These open studios events are always free and open to the public. Artists hosting Open Studios can’t wait to share their artistic process with you and answer any questions you may have about it or their work. Visitors are also welcome to take a Self-guided Gallery Tour, Monday through Friday – 9 am to 5 pm. Although there is no guarantee the artists will be in their studios, there is a good chance you may run into a couple!

There is no obligation to purchase art if you visit, but if you see something you can’t live without, note that artists may accept any combination of cash, card, cash app, or trade.

The Clock Tower Artists are an amazing and accomplished bunch who live, work, and showcase their work locally, and who also exhibit across the United States and internationally.

The Clock Tower Artists are Deborah Carter, Joanie Ciolfi, Marion Grant, Stacey Healey, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Sally Tiska Rice, and Stefanie Weber.

Studio spaces are still available, so this group is sure to grow! If you are an artist interested in a studio space at the Clock Tower, contact Dan Soldato at [email protected].

 

Below is more information about each artist!

 

Deborah Carter

“Deborah is a multi-media artist who creates upcycled, one-of-a-kind apparel. Her couture pieces are constructed from post-consumer waste such as food packaging, wine corks, cardboard, books, wire, plastic and other discarded items and thrifted wares. She manipulates the color, shape, and texture of her materials in a way that compels us to question our habits and attitudes about waste and consumption.” https://deborahhcarter.com

 

Joanie Ciolfi

“Joanie’s paintings are expressive oils infused with energy and texture. Her brilliant use of simple imagery and powerful interplay of light convey stillness and breathtaking beauty.” https://joanpalanociolfi.com

 

Marion Grant

“Marion works in paper, mixed media, and acrylics. She finds inspiration for her abstract works everywhere, in everything, small and large. As a maker of art, she pursues her practice day in and day out, continuously finding pleasure in the endless possibilities of her tools and mediums.” https://mariongrantart.com

 

Stacey Healey

“Stacey is an equine portrait artist working in acrylics. She also enjoys bringing new life to animal skulls with paint and other embellishments.” www.facebook.com/staceyhealeyartist

 

Caroline Kelley

“Caroline is an abstract artist who draws abstract lines and shapes and explores the spaces between them, adding color derived from the natural world or the imagination to give the drawing further depth and density.” www.behance.net/CarolineKelley1art

 

Bruce Laird

“Bruce is a contemporary artist who creates captivating pieces using acrylic, mixed media, and collage. His work is characterized by its bright colors and bold compositions, which often incorporate abstract shapes and patterns.”

 

Mark Mellinger

“Practicing art for 60 years and psychoanalysis for 40, Dr. Mark Mellinger’s work concerns what can be spoken and what transcends language. His works are in painting, sculpture and collage, and are mostly abstract and large scale.”

 

Linda Petrocine

“Linda’s wax paintings are a contemporary adaptation of the ancient art of encaustic painting on wooden panels. She heats beeswax, colored pigments, and plant-based resin to a molten state. Then she applies multiple sheer layers with a paintbrush to create the images, each layer fused with heat to the layer below it. She uses a torch, carving tools, and a pallet knife, and to finish each piece, she polishes the surface until it resembles porcelain.” https://lindapetrocine.com

 

Shany Porras

“Shany is a creative translator who takes one abstract language, music, and translates it into another abstract language, abstract painting. She offers original paintings, licensing, commissions, and private lessons.” https://number5studios.com

 

Ilene Richard

“Ilene’s figurative work is based on her observations of people involved in everyday activities, whether it be the interaction of a couple dancing or a group of strangers standing next to each other in a crowded room. She creates an emotional connection for not only the viewer, but also between the people depicted in her work.” Ilene, a children’s book illustrator and painter, makes her work her own with its strong design, vibrant color palette, and narrative quality which draws the viewer more easily into her world. www.ilenerichard.com

 

Audrey Shachnow

Portraits and pears, gilded and lit, make up the award-winning Audrey Shachnow’s current portfolio. Audrey worked previously as Design Director of the Children’s Magazine Division at Scholastic, Inc., as a Senior Art Director at CBS Records, and as a Designer at Rolling Stone Magazine. https://www.audreyshachnow.com

 

Sally Tiska Rice

“As a versatile multi-media artist, Sally Tiska Rice seamlessly employs a tapestry of techniques, working in acrylics, watercolors, oil paints, pastels, and collages containing botanicals and mixed media elements. Her creative spirit draws inspiration from the idyllic surroundings of her rural hometown, where she resides with her husband Mark and cherished pets.” https://sallytiskarice.com

 

Stefanie Weber

“Stefanie is an action-based artist who specializes in dance, movement, and performance. She has worked with many organizations such as Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Simon’s Rock College of Bard, Williams College, Berkshire Dance Theatre, and many others; as an artist, educator, performer, or choreographer. Presently she is on faculty with Movement Matters and Community Access to the Arts.” https://fertileuniverse.com/about

 

The Clock Tower beckons you to visit. With ample free parking, handicapped accessibility, and a welcoming vibe, there is no reason not to check out what The Clock Tower Artists have been working on. Come to be inspired, to purchase gifts for yourself or loved ones, or to learn more about these amazing artists and their process! Art abounds in Pittsfield, MA! Did we mention we have a robust Virtual Downtown Mural Tour you can access 7 days a week?

For more information on The Clock Tower Artists, visit https://clocktowerartists.com.