Pittsfield Shows Some Love With 10x10 Fest Ice SculptureBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:15PM / Friday, February 24, 2023 | |
 Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey have an audience while they work. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The sound of power tools could be heard in downtown Pittsfield as two artists crafted icy letters in front of the Berkshire Museum.
Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey spent hours on Thursday creating a large frosty display that reads "Love 10x10" as part of this past week's 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival.
"We feel like love is all around and love is what everyone needs," the city's Cultural Development Directo Jennifer Glocker said.
"So it's just a simple message of love and it's going to be here as long as Mother Nature cooperates and it stays cold, which looks very good."
With temperatures dipping into the 20s on Friday and Saturday, the frozen sign should survive well into next week.
The two men have been carving these sculptures in front of the museum for five years now.
"I am really happy and proud to be part of the 10x10 Festival here in Pittsfield," Vacchina said. "And carving these blocks of ice out in front of the museum just makes my day."
Markey, an artist of many mediums, made his first ice sculpture 10 years ago in Greenfield. He introduced Vacchina, a marble and mosaic artist, to ice sculpting five years ago.
The two were thankful for clear skies on Thursday, as there was rain and sleet later in the weather forecast. With chainsaws for the large parts and chisels for details, they worked from around 10:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m.
One block remained after "Love 10x10" was spelled out and that was carved into a heart.
"We are so happy to be here at the Berkshire Museum," Glockner said.
Spearheaded by the Office of Cultural Development, this is the 12th annual 10x10 Festival offered dozens of events from Feb. 16 to 26.
The museum hosted a number of Ten Days of Play events, the Berkshire Art Association's Real Art Party on Thursday, and a Berkshire Jazz concert on Saturday. Before the concert, there will be 10 minutes of fireworks at The Common on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m.
Glockner pointed out that the Barrington Stage has extended its 10x10 New Play Festival to March 12 because it has been such a big success.
"It's so fun," she said about the festival. "We're always happy to present some fun in the winter for Pittsfield and beyond."
For a full schedule of 10x10 events visit lovepittsfield.com.
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