Pittsfield has a thriving and dynamic year-round art scene that rivals city’s twice its size. Not many municipalities can boast of having an official city art gallery, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. People enjoy monthly Artswalk events where multiple galleries downtown showcase art exhibits and street art such as murals, sculptures, and lighting installations on buildings, and video projection shows. Art is an integral and exciting part of the Pittsfield landscape and culture. Artwork and photo credit: Jesse Tobin McCauley, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
Artscape
Artscape is an annual outdoor juried exhibition of public art organized by a volunteer-led committee. The Artscape program enhances downtown’s character and attracts visitors by installing and promoting works of art in various outdoor locations accessible to the public.
413-499-9368 | facebook.com/pittsfieldartscape
Berkshire Art Association
Since 1950, the Berkshire Art Association has been dedicated to promoting the visual arts in Berkshire County, providing opportunities for exhibition and education and encouraging interaction among artists, art students, and the public.
Berkshire Lightscapes
Berkshire Lightscapes lights up the exteriors of downtown buildings and public spaces to help illuminate and energize downtown Pittsfield. The artistic, energy efficient LED lighting is coordinated between buildings and allows for exciting light shows. Check out the following buildings after dark which all have lights:
- City Hall (70 Allen St.)
- Dunham Mall (walkway between City Hall and North St.)
- Persip Plaza (corner of North and Columbus Ave.)
- Sottile Plaza (corner of North and Eagle St.)
- The Colonial Theatre (111 South St.)
- Barrington Stage Company’s Wolfson Center (122 North St.)
- Crawford Square (137 North St.)
- The Shipton Building (146-156 North St.)
First Fridays Artswalk
First Fridays Artswalk is the largest year-round monthly visual arts event in the Berkshires. Every first Friday of each month from 5 to 8pm, downtown retailers, restaurants and businesses along North and South Streets, transform into art galleries. Stop into over a dozen locations to explore artwork and meet the artists during their opening receptions. New art is on display all month long.
413-443-6501 | firstfridaysartswalk.com
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
Affectionately called The Licht, this city-owned community arts center’s gallery space hosts changing art shows featuring local and regional artists, classes, performances, gatherings, readings, and more. The Lichtenstein also houses nine working artist studios, community space, a ceramics workshop, and a darkroom. Photo credit The Berkshire Eagle
28 Renne Ave. | 413-499-9348
NUarts Studios & Gallery
NUarts houses the studios of over 20 local artists, musicians, art therapists, and wellness services in downtown Pittsfield. They seek to foster a welcoming and creative environment, elevate the well-being of their artists and the larger community, make art accessible, inclusive, and empowering through group exhibitions, open studio events, and other city-wide events.
311 North St. 2nd Floor at Union St. | nuartsgallery.com
Pittsfield Beautiful
This non-profit, volunteer-run organization, plants and maintains gardens and outdoor spaces throughout the city in order to help Pittsfield be a truly welcoming and beautiful place, one flower at a time!
