Festive Frolic: Drag Story Hour with Sativo Green at Indie Readery and Records
2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, and Drag Story Hour Berkshires will present a holiday-themed Drag Story Hour with Sativo Green from 1 to 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 6.

Free Children’s Spring Tea Party and Paint & Sip
2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | WANDER Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101., Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Free Children’s Spring Tea Party and Paint & Sip at WANDER on Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 4 pm.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) will host a free Downtown Celebrates Spring Children’s Tea Party and Paint & Sip on Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 4 pm at WANDER Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101 in Pittsfield.
This free Spring-themed Tea Party and Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 3 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. There will be free lemonade and cookies for the kids, and there will be coffee and tea for the grown-ups available for purchase. All materials for the Paint & Sip will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
This program is supported by The Feigenbaum Foundation, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., and WANDER Berkshires.
For a full event listing and additional information on Downtown Celebrates Spring, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2026/04/celebrates-spring or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

Kids’ Spring Fest in Dunham Mall (Celebrates Spring!)
2026-04-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
Join Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., the Berkshire Museum, and BeatNest for a Spring gathering outside on Dunham Mall at 100 North Street.
The Berkshire Museum will bring objects from their education collection about the living world blossoming in spring such as plants and bugs, and they will bring a craft relating to spring!
Music will be provided by BeatNest’s Spin Club students as they share their DJ skills that they have been working on this session.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host kids’ games and hand out free Officer Winston drawstring backpacks!
Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
For a full event listing and additional information on Downtown Celebrates Spring, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2026/04/celebrates-spring or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

Decorate a pot and Plant a flower at Peace Train Tees (Celebrates Spring!)
2026-04-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Peace Train Tees, 2 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Peace Train Tees at 2 South Street will present a free, drop-in Decorate a pot and Plant a flower Workshop on Wednesday, April 22 from 3 to 5 pm.
For a full event listing and additional information on Downtown Celebrates Spring, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2026/04/celebrates-spring or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

Wildflower seed bombs and Paper flower Workshop (Celebrates Spring!)
2026-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | SOLARIUM Plant Shop, 46 West Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
SOLARIUM Plant Shop at 46 West Street will present a free, drop-in Wildflower seed bombs and Paper flower Workshop on Friday, April 24 from 1 to 3 pm, open to all ages.
For a full event listing and additional information on Downtown Celebrates Spring, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2026/04/celebrates-spring or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

Free Ride Day at the Berkshire Carousel with UCP (Celebrates Spring!)
2026-04-25 12:00 - 17:00 | The Berkshire Carousel, 50 Center Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Assistive Technology Department of UCP of Western Massachusetts invites our community to celebrate accessibility, inclusion, and innovation at a special Free Ride Day on Saturday, April 25, from 12 to 5 pm, at the beautiful Berkshire Carousel at 50 Center Street in Pittsfield.
Families, friends, and community members are invited to stop by for an afternoon of free carousel rides and fun for all ages while learning more about the powerful role Assistive Technology plays in many people’s lives.
Assistive Technology includes devices, tools, and systems that help individuals with disabilities live more independently and participate fully in everyday life. From simple tools that make daily tasks easier to advanced technology that enhances communication and mobility, Assistive Technology helps people of all abilities live, work, and engage with their communities.
This free community event is an opportunity to celebrate inclusion, while highlighting how Assistive Technology empowers people to live a life without limits. There will be a variety of tools on display as well as demonstrations on how the tools help people.
For a full event listing and additional information on Downtown Celebrates Spring, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2026/04/celebrates-spring or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

First Fridays: “Art in the Park” with Peter Vacchina
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will feature Peter Vacchina as the May “Art in the Park” artist.

Peter will be popped up in Palace Park (near 122 North Street) from 5 to 8 pm, inviting the community to add pieces to a “made-on-the-spot” mosaic and discussing his process with all who are interested.

Peter is a sculptor working primarily in marble, mosaic, and the occasional ice sculpture. His art reflects his personal life experiences, particularly his time living and traveling abroad. Before becoming a full-time artist in Pittsfield, Peter lived and taught science in Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, England, Italy, and California. “I appreciate the challenge of working in marble and its potential to last for centuries. In my marble sculptures, I seek to invoke memory in the way a scent or sound might, and in doing so inspire heartfelt stories in the viewer.”

“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.

Jim Horsford will also be popped up in Palace Park hosting a free live pottery demonstration from 5 to 8 pm where he will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel. Jim spent 30 years as an art teacher at Herberg Middle School from 1978 to 2008. Currently, he teaches pottery on the wheel at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts where he has been since 2000. His creations will be available for purchase.

In the case of inclement weather, “Art in the Park” with Peter Vacchina will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.

For a full event listing, visit https://lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.

May 1 First Fridays Artswalk
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield begins its 5-month season (May through September) on Friday, May 1 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.

Participating venues on Friday, May 1 include Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield’s City Hall, 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.

Pittsfield’s City Hall, 70 Allen Street, will feature “How Shall We Live? – Berkshire Youth Artists Explore Their Relationship with the Earth in the Time of Climate Change,” May 1 through June 5, 2026.

Organized by Living the Change Berkshires, The Clark Art Institute, and Cooler Communities, this traveling show spotlights how local students experience climate change and share their resilience and love for the earth. 60+ Berkshire County High School Artists will be featured in the exhibit. There will be a reception on Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm, and Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm, with opportunities for the public to learn about and take climate action.

Berkshire Art Center (BAC) will host their summer Faculty Artist Show at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. located at 437 North Street. This exhibition showcases the work of talented visual artists who also lead BAC classes and workshops, so you can be inspired and learn directly from the experts behind the art.

Explore a vibrant range of mediums, including collage, printmaking, watercolor, photography, pastel, and more. Featuring faculty artists Thad Kubis, Jody King Camarra, Thomas Libetti, Kim Waterman, Jill McLean, and Laura Thompson, this show is a celebration of the breadth of art! Come experience Berkshire Art Center’s talented Faculty Artists’ work and be inspired to take the next step in your own creative journey, wherever you might be starting.

There will be an opening reception with the artists during the May 1 First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm, and there will be an opportunity to sign up for a class taught by one of BAC’s Faculty Artists.

The exhibition will be on view Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm, April 27 through May 28, by visiting the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices at 431 North Street, or by appointment.

Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, will feature “Reduction Prints and Felted Landscapes” by Joan Rooks through May 2, 2026. Stop by during the May 1 First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm to take a look!

The reduction woodblock printing that Joan uses involves carving away sections of a single block to produce multi-color images. At the end of a series the block is completely carved away. The dry felting process involves layering various colors of wool using specialized barbed needles to combine loose wool fibers.

Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street, will present the art of award-winning Navajo painter Walter Dan during the First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, May 1 from 5 to 8 pm.

Monica White will be showcasing the celebrated work of her father, Walter Dan, a renowned Navajo artist. The exhibition offers visitors a rare chance to experience the depth, tradition, and storytelling of Navajo painting through Walter Dan’s powerful artwork. Monica will share the powerful stories of her father’s art with us.

“Sharing my father’s work is a way to honor our family and culture,” said White. “Each piece carries the history, spirit, and creativity of our heritage.”

Walter’s paintings consist of serene southwestern life with landscapes, animals, and portraits most influenced by his Diné and cowboy culture. Walter focuses on using acrylic, oil, pencil, and ink. He was an art student at the Institute of American Indian Arts-IAIA in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the early 1970’s. Walter’s most prominent influence and mentor is Allen Houser, a highly regarded Native American artist, and his IAIA instructor.

Pittsfield High School will present its Senior Show and AP Placement Portfolios for the month of May at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue. These dedicated students have spent years developing their artistic voices, often taking multiple art classes throughout their high school journey. As a culminating experience, they have thoughtfully planned and curated a collection that represents their growth and creativity.

The exhibition features a diverse range of work in a salon-style display, including pieces from Drawing & Painting, Ceramics, and Photography. Adding to the energy of the show, posters from the Pittsfield City Jazz competition will also be on view, creating a vibrant and dynamic celebration of student art.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 1 from 5 to 7 pm. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience the innovative work of our young artists!

New for 2026, the Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street are excited to introduce rotating 2 to 3-person pop-up exhibits in their West Studios Lobby — alongside their regularly scheduled open studios — bringing even more variety and creative energy to every visit!

Join the Clock Tower Artists on Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm, to explore fresh artwork, meet the makers, and celebrate the start of an inspiring spring season.

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 Charles Baum, Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, 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.

Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street, will feature “What Lies Beneath” by Melissa Matsuki Lillie and Lucie Castaldo at a reception on Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm.

Melissa Matsuki Lillie is painter whose artwork references natural forms using a personal visual language of vibrant colors and complex layers to reflect on the macroscopic and microscopic world. Her paintings evoke a sense of space that has been flattened and layered, revealing strands and structures of line and color interacting fluidly with hidden landscapes. In addition to painting, she frequently works sculpturally, creating forms that celebrate both line and color. Born in Maryland, Melissa attended the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She currently lives and works in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.

Lucie Castaldo is a visual artist based in the beautiful Berkshires. Her work is characterized by a blend of artistic techniques – combining printmaking, cut paper, collage, and photography. She holds a BA in Art History and Education from Mount Holyoke College, which informs her interdisciplinary approach to art.

Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature “Tree of Life Series” – acrylic paintings by Mary Davidson, May 1 through June 30, 2026.

There will be an opening reception with the artist on Friday, May 1 from 5 to 8 pm during the First Fridays Artswalk.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will feature Peter Vacchina as the May “Art in the Park” artist.

Peter will be popped up in Palace Park (near 122 North Street) from 5 to 8 pm, inviting the community to add pieces to a “made-on-the-spot” mosaic and discussing his process with all who are interested.

Peter is a sculptor working primarily in marble, mosaic, and the occasional ice sculpture. His art reflects his personal life experiences, particularly his time living and traveling abroad. Before becoming a full-time artist in Pittsfield, Peter lived and taught science in Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, England, Italy, and California. “I appreciate the challenge of working in marble and its potential to last for centuries. In my marble sculptures, I seek to invoke memory in the way a scent or sound might, and in doing so inspire heartfelt stories in the viewer.”

In the case of inclement weather, “Art in the Park” with Peter Vacchina will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.

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/60461

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 May 1 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
Charles Baum, Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, 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, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street
“What Lies Beneath”
Melissa Matsuki Lillie and Lucie Castaldo
Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street
Monica White presents art of award-winning Navajo painter Walter Dan
Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Pittsfield’s City Hall, 70 Allen Street
“How Shall We Live? – Berkshire Youth Artists Explore Their Relationship with the Earth in the Time of Climate Change”
Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
Pittsfield High School presents Senior Show and AP Placement Portfolios
Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 7 pm

Palace Park, 122 North Street
“Art in the Park” with Peter Vacchina
Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Soda Chef, 161 North Street
Nicole March Art
Window Display

Hotel on North, 297 North Street
“Tree of Life Series”
Acrylic paintings by Mary Davidson
Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street
“Reduction Prints and Felted Landscapes”
Joan Rooks
On View: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street
Berkshire Art Center (BAC) Summer Faculty Artist Show
Artists: Thad Kubis, Jody King Camarra, Thomas Libetti, Kim Waterman, Jill McLean, and Laura Thompson
Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 to 8 pm

First Fridays: Kids’ Bike Rodeo
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
There will be a Kids’ Bike Rodeo in the Palace Park Parking Lot on Friday, May 1, from 5 to 8 pm, presented by the Berkshire Bike Path Council, AAA, and Massachusetts Safe Routes to School in honor of Bike Month.

This event is open to young riders, elementary and middle school children, and their families and will feature bike check-ups, bike safety, and a place to practice riding skills. As bikes are not allowed within the First Fridays at Five footprint, we ask that you walk your bike through this area or ideally enter Palace Park via Renne Avenue off Fenn Street.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including arts & crafts, games, and more.
Participating organizations include ALZ.0rg, Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit Council, Department Of Children and Families, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Girl Scout Troop 64834, Mental Health Support For Families, NBT Bank, and VFW Post 448.
Bowey the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations in front of Crawford Square at 137 North Street.

First Fridays: Bowey the Clown
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Bowey the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations in front of Crawford Square at 137 North Street.

June 5 First Fridays Artswalk
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield continues its 5-month season (May through September) on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.
Participating venues on Friday, June 5 include Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield’s City Hall, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 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.
Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, will feature a collection of collage and painting on unconventional surfaces by Brent Ridge for the June Artswalk. Stop by during the June 5 First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm to take a look!
Brent uses patterned recycled papers and fabrics in place of traditional canvas and paper. These works depict the post-industrial landscape through a tension of decay and renewal of image, material, and abstraction. Ridge is a Berkshires-based artist whose work delves into themes of industrial decay, natural beauty, and human resilience. A local artist, originally from Flint, MI, Brent has an artistic history in NYC, abroad, and in Boston before resettling in the Berkshires. He is currently the art teacher at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, where he inspires young artists.
Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street, will feature artists Richard Way and Ed Moran during the First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 8 pm.
Richard Way’s work has been described as ethereal, spiritual, and quietly evocative, at times revealing an undercurrent of tension or subtle humor. Rooted in an intuitive approach, the practice functions as a form of visual journaling, translating fleeting thoughts and emotional states into layered compositions. Drawing primarily from an inward source, the artist engages the external world through a distinct visual language of symbol and metaphor. The resulting works unfold with a dreamlike logic, inviting viewers into a contemplative space where interpretation remains open and deeply personal.
Ed Moran is a painter based in Berkshire County. His creative pursuits also include singing and songwriting, often in collaboration with fellow musicians. When not immersed in his artistic work, he serves as a nurse in the Berkshires.
Moran’s work is rooted in both imagination and lived experience, bridging creative expression with a deep sense of care for the community.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renne Avenue will present the 2026 OLLI Art Exhibition, a showcase of work by members of OLLI at Berkshire Community College, June 3-26.
The exhibition features work by 39 artists in a range of media. OLLI at BCC is a volunteer-driven, inclusive learning community of adults 50+ offering diverse educational programs, social interaction, and community engagement. There will be an opening reception on Friday, June 5, from 5 to 8 pm.
Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 119 Fenn Street, will feature artists from the Cosmic CoArt Cooperative including nature sketches by Matt Brinton, creations by Nicole Fecteau, art by Rochely DeJesus Melendez, and poetry by Ashley Sposato.
There will be a reception with the artists on Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm, including a poetry reading (6:30-7:30 pm), snacks, and a table for kids to make art.
Matt Brinton’s artwork is strongly influenced by nineteenth-century Russian literature. The Russian writers had an understanding of the human condition that spoke to Matt when he had to reevaluate the direction of his life. His drawings of landscape and still life are inspired by the sheer beauty of the subjects, and his portraiture mainly consists of historical figures who have impacted his life.
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.
Ashley Sposato: “Through poetry, I offer my life up: in the immediate, the incarnational, the beautiful, the cataclysmic. It is here I offer my hand and my love.”
New for 2026, the Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street are excited to introduce rotating 2 to 3-person pop-up exhibits in their West Studios Lobby — alongside their regularly scheduled open studios — bringing even more variety and creative energy to every visit!
Join the Clock Tower Artists on Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm, to explore fresh artwork, meet the makers, and celebrate the start of the summer season.
Spend the evening exploring the historic third floor where more than twenty professional artists have work shown, many welcoming visitors into their working studios. Discover painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, and more while meeting the people behind the work. Whether you are an experienced collector, a casual art lover, or simply curious, there is always something that captures attention and starts a conversation.
Artists include Charles Baum, Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, 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.
Pittsfield’s City Hall, 70 Allen Street, will feature “How Shall We Live? – Berkshire Youth Artists Explore Their Relationship with the Earth in the Time of Climate Change,” now through June 5, 2026.
Organized by Living the Change Berkshires, The Clark Art Institute, and Cooler Communities, this traveling show spotlights how local students experience climate change and share their resilience and love for the earth. 60+ Berkshire County High School Artists will be featured in the exhibit. There will be a reception on Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm, with opportunities for the public to learn about and take climate action.
Berkshire Art Center (BAC) is hosting their summer Faculty Artist Show at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. located at 437 North Street.
Explore a vibrant range of mediums, including collage, printmaking, watercolor, photography, pastel, and more. Featuring faculty artists Thad Kubis, Jody King Camarra, Thomas Libetti, Kim Waterman, Jill McLean, and Laura Thompson, this show is a celebration of the breadth of art! Come experience Berkshire Art Center’s talented Faculty Artists’ work and be inspired to take the next step in your own creative journey, wherever you might be starting.
The show will be on view during the June 5 First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm, as well as Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm, now through June 25, by visiting the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices at 431 North Street, or by appointment.
Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street, will feature “What Lies Beneath” by Melissa Matsuki Lillie and Lucie Castaldo at a reception on Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm.
Melissa Matsuki Lillie is painter whose artwork references natural forms using a personal visual language of vibrant colors and complex layers to reflect on the macroscopic and microscopic world. Her paintings evoke a sense of space that has been flattened and layered, revealing strands and structures of line and color interacting fluidly with hidden landscapes. In addition to painting, she frequently works sculpturally, creating forms that celebrate both line and color. Born in Maryland, Melissa attended the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She currently lives and works in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
Lucie Castaldo is a visual artist based in the beautiful Berkshires. Her work is characterized by a blend of artistic techniques – combining printmaking, cut paper, collage, and photography. She holds a BA in Art History and Education from Mount Holyoke College, which informs her interdisciplinary approach to art.
Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature “Tree of Life Series,” acrylic paintings by Mary Davidson, now through June 30.
There will be a reception with the artist on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 8 pm during the First Fridays Artswalk.
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/61485
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 June 5 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
Charles Baum, Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, 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, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street
“What Lies Beneath”
Melissa Matsuki Lillie and Lucie Castaldo
Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 119 Fenn Street
Cosmic CoArt Cooperative
Rochely DeJesus Melendez, Ashley Sposato, Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau
Artist Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Pittsfield’s City Hall, 70 Allen Street
“How Shall We Live? – Berkshire Youth Artists Explore Their Relationship with the Earth in the Time of Climate Change”
Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
2026 OLLI Art Exhibition
A showcase of work by 39 members of OLLI at BCC in a range of media
Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Palace Park, 122 North Street
“Art in the Park”
Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street
Richard Way and Ed Moran
Opening Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Soda Chef, 161 North Street
Nicole March Art
Window Display
Hotel on North, 297 North Street
“Tree of Life Series”
Acrylic paintings by Mary Davidson
Reception: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street
Collage and painting on unconventional surfaces
Brent Ridge
On View: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm
Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street
Berkshire Art Center (BAC) Summer Faculty Artist Show
Artists: Thad Kubis, Jody King Camarra, Thomas Libetti, Kim Waterman, Jill McLean, and Laura Thompson
On View: Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm

First Fridays at Five: The Housie Shakers
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Persip Park, 175 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature a live performance by The Housie Shakers from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing Co. and local food vendors within the vicinity.
The Housie Shakers bring a variety of styles to the mix, with wide-ranging covers and original music spanning rock, blues, pop, bluegrass, reggae, Americana, and improvisational groove. They don’t take themselves too seriously and have no ambitions to go on the road (as if the 12 kids they have collectively would make that possible anyway)… they’re just out to play local gigs and give people a chance to hang out, let loose, dance, and have a good time! The band’s name is a nod to their home community and the people and places that have shaped their musical journeys.
The Housie Shakers are Simeon Bittman (drums & vocals), Noah Cook-Dubin (guitar, cavaquinho & vocals), Jonathan Denmark (guitar & vocals), and Colin Ovitsky (bass).
In the case of inclement weather, The Housie Shakers will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.

First Fridays at Five: artistic face painting with Melissa Matsuki Lillie
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Palace Park will feature free artistic face painting with Melissa Matsuki Lillie of Chroma Chameleon.
Melissa Matsuki Lillie is painter whose artwork references natural forms using a personal visual language of vibrant colors and complex layers to reflect on the macroscopic and microscopic world. Her paintings evoke a sense of space that has been flattened and layered, revealing strands and structures of line and color interacting fluidly with hidden landscapes. In addition to painting, she frequently works sculpturally, creating forms that celebrate both line and color.
Born in Maryland, Melissa attended the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She currently lives and works in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
In the case of inclement weather, facepainting with Melissa Matsuki Lillie will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including arts & crafts, games, and more.

Participating organizations include 914 LOCK INC, ALZ.0rg, Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Football Officials Association, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit Council, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Woodworkers Guild, BRPC/ SPARK – BE3C Coalitions, Department of Children and Families, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Girl Scout Troop 64834, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Mental Health Support For Families, NBT Bank, The Mount/Edith Wharton Cultural Center, and VFW Post 448.

Bowey the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations in front of Crawford Square at 137 North Street.

June First Fridays at Five
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA) have announced details for the second First Fridays at Five of the 2026 season. The event on Friday, June 5 presented by MountainOne, will feature live music and dance, art, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs so they can sit and enjoy a variety of food, beverages, and entertainment.

Persip Park, 175 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

– The Housie Shakers
– Beer garden with Hot Plate Brewing Co.
– Local food vendors

Rain location: Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street

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North Street at the South end of the road closure (near Park Square), 5 to 8 pm

– “Dance and Drum with the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers”

5:45 to 6:30 pm: Berkshire Rhythm Keepers performance
6:45 to 7:30 pm: Free dance class with Noel Staples-Freeman featuring live drumming by Aimée Gelinas, Dan Cohen, and the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers advanced drummers

Rain location: WANDER, 34 Depot Street

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28 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

– The “Resurrection Off-road Team” will host a “Touch an ATV” event in front of the Allegrone Building at 28 North Street.

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Dunham Mall, 100 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

– Community Paint Party!
Stop by Dunham Mall, pick up a brush, and help paint a mural that celebrates the best of Pittsfield. All ages and abilities are welcome. No experience is necessary!

Rain location: AdLib, 215 North Street

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Palace Park, 122 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

– Busker Robin O’Herin, singer-songwriter
– Free artistic face painting with Melissa Matsuki Lillie
– Live Pottery Demo with Jim Horsford

Rain Location: Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renee Avenue

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North Street in front of Crawford Square, 137 North Street

– Bowey the Clown

Crafting free balloon creations!

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Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street

– “Sing Out Loud: Pride Karaoke Fundraiser”

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Brazzucas Market, 75 North Street

– Brazilian Style Barbecue Experience featuring Chef William Merelle.

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North Street

Makers Market:

The Makers Market at First Fridays at Five will feature over a dozen local vendors selling handmade products such as crafts, clothing and accessories, candles, art, custom gift items, self-care items, and packaged foods and sweets. Makers include ATK Customs, Auntie Kat’s Gift Shop, Baked! Pastries & More, BareBone Roots, Berkshire Henna, BerkshireSci Biscuits LLC, Black Bear 3D, Braidy Bunch, Cookie’s Cupcakes, Dragonfly Dreams, Glimmerhold Artistry & Tiffs Trinkets, Hilltown Hemlock Studio, LAMARÍA, Leann’s Lovies, Leo’s Bargain Boutique, little country gifts, ManiSetGo, Mountain Roots Artistry, Paparazzi Accessories, Pearls & Pillows, Sisterhood of the Traveling Crafts, and Truffles by Tarah.

Food Vendors:

Check out a variety of food vendors including Alchemy Events Mobile Bar, BB’s Hot Spot, Berkshire Kettle Creations and Lemonade, Best Damn Espresso, Cocineras Latinas LLC Coop, D’s Island Food Truck, Full Belly FEWD TRUCK, La Chalupa & La Enchilada, and Williams Street Market and Deli.

Family Fun Zone:

The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including arts & crafts, games, and more.

Participating organizations include 914 LOCK INC, ALZ.0rg, Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Football Officials Association, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit Council, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Woodworkers Guild, BRPC/ SPARK – BE3C Coalitions, Department of Children and Families, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Girl Scout Troop 64834, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Mental Health Support For Families, NBT Bank, The Mount/Edith Wharton Cultural Center, and VFW Post 448.

First Fridays Artswalk:

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield’s City Hall, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, Sanctum Gallery, Solarium Plant Shop, and the Soda Chef. Follow a virtual walking tour on the free Downtown Pittsfield App and enjoy opening receptions with the artists.

First Fridays at Five is led by the City of Pittsfield and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and will take place in downtown Pittsfield on May 1, June 5, August 7, and September 4, 2026. A portion of North Street will be closed during the event.

Season partners and sponsors include AccessPlus, MountainOne, Guardian, and Mill Town Foundation.

For more information and a full event listing, visit https://lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.

North Street will be closed from Park Square to Columbus Avenue on Friday, June 5 from 3 to 8:30 pm. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes during this timeframe and follow appropriate detours. In addition, a parking restriction will be in place on North Street between Park Square and Columbus Avenue starting at 2 pm on Friday.

First Fridays at Five: Bowey the Clown
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

First Fridays at Five: Community Paint Party
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
There will be a Community Paint Party during the June 5th First Fridays at Five on Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 pm, at Dunham Mall (100 North Street)!
Everyone is invited to join the Community Paint Party for a new mural coming to the AdLib building in downtown Pittsfield this summer. Created through a collaboration between Common Wealth Murals, Mill Town Foundation, Let It Shine!, and the Pittsfield Public Schools, the mural is inspired by ideas and artwork from Pittsfield students and will be brought to life with your help.
Stop by Dunham Mall during the June First Fridays at Five, pick up a brush, and help paint a mural that celebrates the best of Pittsfield. All ages and abilities are welcome. No experience is necessary!
Please note, participants will be painting on large canvases on tables, not painting directly onto the wall. The rain location for the Community Paint Party is AdLib, 215 North Street.

Dance and Drum with the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers
2026-06-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
At the June 5th First Fridays at Five, on North Street at the South end of the road closure, will be “Dance and Drum with the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers.” There will be a free Berkshire Rhythm Keepers performance from 5:40 to 6:25 pm, followed by a free dance class with Noel Staples-Freeman featuring live drumming by Aimée Gelinas, Dan Cohen, and the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers advanced drummers from 6:45 to 7:30 pm.
The Berkshire Rhythm Keepers are an intergenerational, multi-level community drum and song group founded and led by Aimée Gelinas M.Ed, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center and co-founder of Gaia Roots and Trio Candela. The group is assisted by Dan Cohen. BRK participants attend Aimee’s weekly Monday evening drum and song classes at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield, which is open to beginners, intermediate and advanced drummers. The group performs traditional music on folkloric instruments from West Africa and the Caribbean, as well as original creations. Members of BRK have been studying and performing together for 15+ years.
Aimée Gelinas M.Ed is a musician and naturalist educator who has been performing and facilitating educational programs for 30+ years. She is a skilled and seasoned nature educator and outdoor guide as well as a master percussionist and singer specializing in West African and Caribbean music specifically folkloric percussion such as Djembe, Doun Doun, Conga, Shekere, and more.
Daniel Cohen is a musician, music educator and outdoorsman. He co-founded and is the trails & intern coordinator for the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA. Dan is a master guitarist in both electric and acoustic styles and skilled percussionist specializing in West African Doun Doun drums and percussion. He is a member of the world music ensemble Gaia Roots and co-founder of the groups Trio Candela and Sifer. He assists leading two intergenerational student drum performance ensembles: The Berkshire and The Valley Rhythm Keepers.
Noel Staples-Freeman is a cultural bearer, choreographer, and teaching artist whose work sustains African and African Diaspora dance as living traditions. She is the Artistic Director of Uprising Dance Theatre and the Berkshire African Dance & Drum Collective (BADD), offering intergenerational classes, workshops, and performances throughout the Berkshires. Sister Noel trained at the Billie Pope School of Dance, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and the Boston Conservatory, and earned a B.S. in Children’s Theatre with a minor in Dance from Emerson College. Her artistic lineage includes The Art of Black Dance and Music, Inc. (ABDM), directed by DeAma Battle and Bamidele Osumarea and Koumpo West African Dance Company under the direction of Master Drummer Ibrahima Camara. She is a teaching artist with Berkshire Pulse, CATA, Multicultural BRIDGE Solidarity House, OLLI, and Jacob’s Pillow, and holds community classes at the Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield. Noel is a graduate of the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator Program Cohort 3 (2025) and the EforAll Berkshire County Accelerator (2025). She serves as an Adjunct Professor of African Dance Theory.
In the case of inclement weather, “Dance and Drum with the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers” will be at WANDER, 34 Depot Street.

First Fridays at Five! "Art in the Park": Faces of Pittsfield Community Art Experience
2026-08-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk as they feature Maru Domínguez as the August “Art in the Park” artist. Maru will present a special “Faces of Pittsfield Community Art Experience” for the August 7 First Fridays at Five!
Faces of Pittsfield is a community photography project that celebrates the people who live, work, and visit Pittsfield through the art of portraiture. This August, we invite you to become part of the artwork itself.
Together, we will create a collaborative community portrait by painting and decorating our own faces and self-portraits, celebrating the diversity, stories, and connections that make Pittsfield unique. Through art, creativity, and shared expression, we will build a collective piece that reflects who we are as a community.
Come create, connect, and celebrate with us. All ages and artistic abilities are welcome!
Be part of the portrait. Be part of the story. Be part of Pittsfield.
Maru Domínguez is a photographer, artist, and community organizer based in the Berkshires, MA. Her work centers on storytelling, community building, and creating meaningful connections through art and culture.
“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.
