September 4 First Fridays Artswalk
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield concludes its 5-month season (May through September) on Friday, September 4 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.
Participating venues on Friday, September 4 include Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, O.U.R Resurge (at Makers Market), Sanctum Gallery, Solarium Plant Shop, and the Soda Chef.
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.
Join the Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street on Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm, for an Open Studios event.
Stroll the historic third floor and connect with over 20 professional artists working across a wide range of mediums. Whether you’re an art lover, collector, or curious newcomer, you’re sure to find something that sparks your imagination. Enjoy original artwork, creative conversations, and a warm, welcoming community of artists in the heart of Pittsfield.
Artists include Karen Carmean, Deborah H. Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Mollie Kellogg, Eric Korenman, Bruce Laird, Lisa Loustaunau, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Stanley Singer, Ariel Smith, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson.
The Berkshire Art Association will present TUNE IN, a biennial juried exhibit, at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, Friday, September 4 through Saturday, September 26. There will be an Opening Reception on Friday, September 4, from 5 to 7 pm.
The BAA invites you to probe into and explore the powerful artwork by artists of the Berkshires and the Northeast U.S. presented in their 2026 Biennial Exhibition, TUNE IN.
The concept TUNE IN is meant to challenge literal and visual conventions and will embrace the psyche of both artist and viewer. TUNE IN is a playful engagement in artistic dialogue focused on richness of meaning and evolution of meaning. TUNE IN pays attention to the world all around us, while encouraging connection with curiosity, empathy, and authentic personal realities. TUNE IN willfully calls us to traverse a broad enlightened path of openness.
Jurors for TUNE IN were Michael Boroniec, Artist, designer, and sculptor; Arthur Hillman, Professor Emeritus of Photography, Simon’s Rock College at Bard; and Mindy Hackner, Librarian, museum educator, and artist.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 3 pm, and by appointment.
Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, will feature Alcohol Ink Paintings on Yupo Paper by Marney Schorr now through October 2026. Stop by during the September 4 Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm.
Marney Schorr is an Abstract and Surrealist Artist working mainly in acrylics and gouache. Her imagery emanates from the subconscious creating abstract and surrealist scenes that inspire differing narratives for each viewer. In this series, Marney has experimented with Alcohol-based Inks on Yupo paper, a rich and smooth paper that stays wet and is specifically designed for this media. Her process involves dripping inks, sliding inks, and creating layers of inks.
To create luminosity, she removes gradations of inks with rubbing alcohol, q-tips, tissues, and sponges. She also sprays her works with rubbing alcohol to create a textural effect. The Ink paintings include ethereal and magical scenes, as well as landscapes and flowers, and under the sea paintings.
Sanctum Gallery at 148 North Street will feature “Irresistible Future” by Amy Dawn Kotel, September 4 through September 30. There will be an opening reception with the artist during the September 4th Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm.
Amy Dawn Kotel creates vibrant, immersive artwork that bursts with movement, color, and curiosity. Inspired by nature, spirituality, human connection, and the hidden layers beneath everyday life, her paintings and mixed media works transform countless forms into expansive dreamscapes, surreal imagery, and emotionally rich worlds. Her work invites viewers to wander, wonder, and discover beauty in both the chaos and magic of being human.
Amy’s husband, Matt Swift, is an improvisational musician whose work spans electric bass, guitar, and synths. He will perform during Amy’s opening reception at the gallery. Aisha will also have a table of her beautiful soaps and candles available on a table outside the gallery as well.
Berkshire Art Center (BAC) will host “Kid Artwork Across All Ages, from the Summer in the Studios Program at Berkshire Art Center” at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. located at 437 North Street.
The show will be on view during the September 4 First Fridays at Five from 5 to 8 pm.
Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street, will feature “Layered”- Visionary Alchemy of Paper, Scissors & Glue by Margo Serina during the Artswalk on Friday, September 4, from 5 to 8 pm.
Margo Serina of Sacred Bridge Studio is a Berkshire native and life-long artist who explores with various mediums to create art while gravitating towards collage and watercolor as two of her favorite forms of expression. Her work features contrast, textures, and vibrant color combinations as well as the use of mixed media and elements of nature.
“Layered” – Visionary Alchemy of Paper, Scissors & Glue is a collection of collages Margo has created while exploring and allowing the paper she cuts and collects to come together organically in her creative process with both simplicity and articulation of the elements involved to create multi layered and cohesive images. She finds this process to be both meditative and highly therapeutic.
Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature Autumn Phoenix Photography for the month of September.
Autumn Phoenix is a professional artist and photographer. Her work spans landscapes, animals, cityscapes, and portraiture. Her photographs are defined by unique lighting and vibrant color to capture moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. She is inspired by her grandfather. She views each photograph as a “treasure chest” to preserve experiences long after they pass.
The show will be on view on Friday, September 4, from 5 to 8 pm during the Artswalk.
O.U.R. Resurge will be joining the Makers Market on North Street for the September 4 First Fridays Artswalk and will feature the “Awamu Artist Co-op” with artists Ashley Sposato, Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau, and Rochely DeJesus Melendez. “Awamu” means “Let’s go together” in Luganda!
Ashley Sposato is a chronically ill poet and mixed-media artist based in the Berkshires. Through her project Idyll & Wild, she explores love, longing, grief, and transcendence with myth, ancient history, and the natural world.
On a good day, you can find her by the riverside calling to birds and buried in ancient Greek poetry. We won’t talk about other days (those are reserved for poems). More conventionally, she can be found on Substack as Idyll & Wild, and on Instagram as idyllwildpoetry.
Ashley is published in journals by “The Way Back To Ourselves” and is Pushcart Prize nominated. She is currently working on her inaugural book of poetry, Hymns for the Orchard.
Matthew Brinton’s artwork and writing are inspired by the experiences that have shaped his life. On the page and on the canvas, he attempts to express his understanding of the human condition. Matt’s hope is that by being honest about his experiences, he can connect with a universal truth and remind others that they are not alone in their struggle to find meaning and purpose.
Matt’s drawings are done in a realistic style but often incorporate a painterly and classical linear style. The drawings of landscape and still life he creates are inspired by the sheer beauty of the subjects. His portraiture mainly consists of historical figures who have impacted his life. In his portrayal of these figures, the main focus is to capture their inner spiritual lives.
Nicole Fecteau’s art is an expression of the interconnectedness of life, the unending tapestries of stories we weave as communal beings deeply connected to each other and also profoundly integrated within our natural world. Utilizing fabric, colored pencils, and embroidery, Nicole strives to portray various allusions to life and faith as a journey that brings us deeper into our shared experience, inviting us into more heartfelt levels of compassion and mercy.
Rochely DeJesus Melendez is growing in her art mediums and expanding her vision – she feels that our lives are shifting so much. These seismic oceanic currents we all feel generationally, environmentally, historically, and politically can be funneled and expressed through art in ways that invite curiosity and shift mindsets.
Join Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk as they feature Jill McLean as the September “Art in the Park” artist. Jill will be drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday during the September 4 First Fridays at Five from 5 to 8 pm.
As an unofficial finale to the 2026 season of the Urban Sketching Meetup, Jill will be drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday and invites viewers to come add color to the scene and enjoy how the vibrancy, liveliness, and unpredictability of watercolor paint can capture life in interesting ways.
Urban Sketching Meetup is a free gathering that Jill hosts once a month from June to September. Running every year since 2020, the meetup is an opportunity for people who want to come out and try urban sketching (sketching in public places from life) but may not want to try it alone, or simply want a casual excuse to do art together.
Each event, a downtown Pittsfield location is designated as the meet up spot and participants explore the area with their chosen art supplies. You can practice urban sketching outdoors or indoors and draw anything you see in front of you. It’s a great way to get to know your local community.
Jill McLean is an artist and Pittsfield native inspired by a wide range of local subjects, from still lifes and florals to landscapes and animals. Working in watercolor and oil, Jill’s portfolio includes everything from urban sketches and plein air paintings to planned series and formal studio pieces. Often taking her art outside of the studio, you may find her painting on local hiking trails and at community events.
“Art in the Park” is supported in part by the Feigenbaum Foundation.
“Art in the Park” is supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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. Direct link: https://downtownpittsfield.stqry.app/list/63424
First Fridays Artswalk and “Art in the Park” are supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
First Fridays Artswalk and “Art in the Park” are also supported in part by The Feigenbaum Foundation.
Check out all of the September 4 First Fridays at Five events at lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.
Event Highlights (South to North):
Artists at the Clock Tower, 75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Karen Carmean, Deborah H. Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Mollie Kellogg, Eric Korenman, Bruce Laird, Lisa Loustaunau, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Stanley Singer, Ariel Smith, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson
Open Studios: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street
“Layered”- Visionary Alchemy of Paper,
Scissors & Glue
Margo Serina of Sacred Bridge Studio
On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
North Street in the Makers Market (O.U.R Resurge)
“Awamu Artist Co-op”
Ashley Sposato, Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau, and Rochely DeJesus Melendez
Visit their tent: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
Berkshire Art Association biennial juried exhibit
TUNE IN
Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 7 pm
Palace Park, 122 North Street
“Art in the Park” with Jill McLean
Drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday
Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street
“Irresistible Future”
Amy Dawn Kotel
Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Soda Chef, 161 North Street
Drift & Bloom: The art of Nicole March
Window Display
Hotel on North, 297 North Street
Autumn Phoenix Photography
Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street
Alcohol Ink Paintings on Yupo Paper
Marney Schorr
On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street
Kid Artwork from Berkshire Art Center’s Summer in the Studios Program
On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm
