November First Fridays Artswalk!

For the month of November, First Fridays Artswalk will present the last Artswalk of 2020 which will encompass a variety of outdoor locations perfect for a social distanced walk around the downtown, as well as 4 indoor locations.

Enjoy indoor and storefront art shows, murals, outdoor sculpture, and 19 of Artscape’s Pittsfield Paintboxes during the First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, November 6, 5 to 8 pm, and all month long. When participating in the November Artswalk, be sure to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from other individuals and wear your mask. A map of all indoor and outdoor locations, including hours for the indoor shows, can be viewed at www.FirstFridaysArtswalk.com.

The Marketplace Café, 53 North Street, will feature works by Kathryn L. Jensen. Jensen is an artist working in watercolor who has lived and painted the landscapes of Western MA since 2001. She enjoys the medium of watercolor for its interplay of control and spontaneity. For the past three years she has published the Hilltown Calendar, and this exhibit features her work for the 2021 calendar.  Her work and the calendar can be found at www.kathrynjensenart.com. There will be an opening reception open to the public on Friday, November 6 from 5 to 8 pm.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will feature NEXT, the Berkshire Art Association’s Juried Biennial Show, through November 20. NEXT features 37 works from 30 artists who are from New England and New York. These artists were asked to broaden and explore the questions: Where do we go next? What do we do next? What comes next?, and respond with unique artistic expression. The exhibit is open to the public with no appointment necessary during the First Fridays Artswalk on November 6, 5 to 8 pm, and persons admitted will be limited to 10 at a time. To view NEXT at an alternate time, please call 413-499-9348 to make an appointment.

The Brothership Building Window, 141 North Street, curated by IS183 Art School of the Berkshires will feature Collage Trees by Mrs. Callahan’s 5th Grade Egremont Elementary Class for the month of November.

BRAINworks educator Judy Callahan (grade 5, Pittsfield), in partnership with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires, brought science and social-emotional learning into her virtual 5th grade classroom this month through the power of collage! Over the last two weeks in four virtual classes with IS183, students have learned about collage, trees, and frottage: a colorful texture-rubbing visual art technique. Judy and IS183 educators Lucie and Brielle designed the lesson to incorporate both science and SEL standards. Students examined the natural characteristics of a tree (for example, its bark and how it protects the tree) and drew connections between the purpose of a tree’s bark and what sort of things make the students feel protected in their own lives. Students have really enjoyed the lessons and have produced beautiful texture rubbings and tree collages made of art materials and recycled household items. The final artworks the students make will be assembled into larger tree collages and displayed in the front window of the Brothership Building beginning November 6.

Also beginning November 6, and continuing all month long, NUarts Studios and Gallery will display the artwork of 6 artists in the storefront windows along Union Street just across the street from Barrington Stage Company’s Mainstage. Displayed will be a new series of paintings, prints, and designer fashions. Participating artists include Ilene Richards, Karen S Jacobs, Caroline Kelley, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, and Marney Schorr. Each artist works in a variety of genres and media including acrylic and oil paint, fabric on mannequins, pastel, encaustic painting, and mixed media. The work will be on display through November.

Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature Horizon by Andrew DeVries through November 30. There will be a reception with the artist, open to the public, on Friday, November 6, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk.

This exhibit shows the wide scope of the artist’s oeuvre. In the bronze sculptures you will view examples that range from his more well-known dance pieces to works of abstract symbolism. The paintings are pastels done in his studio using live models, or creations that arise from his sketches drawn in dance studios such as The School at Jacob’s Pillow, Julliard, Alvin Ailey and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. You will also find an ink and watercolor series that illustrates Andrew’s continued interest in bold color and outline.

The November Artswalk will also highlight new murals downtown including: The Sun Will Rise by Jesse Tobin McCauley, Jay Tobin and Stephanie Quetti at 443 North Street and Gaia on Melville Street created by Mike Carty. Also highlighted will be Artscape’s 3 Outdoor Sculptures throughout downtown which have been extended through April of next year: Paul Angiolillo’s “Flame of Hope”, Joe Gitterman’s “Couple 3”, and Joe Chirchirillo’s “Joshua Tree #2”.

All art exhibits are on display in participating venues throughout the month. For more information on First Fridays Artswalk and to view a listing and map of all participating artists and locations, visit www.FirstFridaysArtswalk.com.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Featured images in header (left to right): Winter on the Wane by Kathryn L. Jensen and Rapture by Andrew DeVries