STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (formerly IS183 Art School) announced its Faculty Art Show will be opening on Friday, May 19, from 5-7pm in the Stairwell Gallery at Citizens' Hall in Stockbridge. 

 

Twenty-three faculty artists, working in a variety of mediums including collage, ceramics, drawing, fiber art, mixed media, painting, photography and more, were invited to participate in this exhibition, which showcases their talent and celebrates the art they have created while teaching with Berkshire Art Center, in both its Stockbridge and Pittsfield studios. 

 

Participating artists in this show include Karen Arp-Sandel, Donna Bernstein, Lorimer Burns, Hunter Cady, Mallorey Caron, Lucie Castaldo, Mary Beth Eldridge, Lily Erb, Diane Firtell, Jill Gustavis, Jody King Camarra, Thaddeus B. Kubis, Katie Malone-Smith, Chalice Mitchell, Marilyn Orner Cromwell, Nicole Peskin, Brielle Rizzotti, Jim Schantz, Gerald Seligman, Paula Shalan, Wednesday Nelena Sorokin, Stephanie VanBramer, and Kim Waterman.

 

In preparing for the show, Faculty Artists reflected about how teaching has influenced their personal artistic practices.

 

"When I started teaching I recognized (without hubris) how much I know," wrote mixed media artist, Diane Firtell, in her reflection. "Now, when I'm working, I often hear myself sharing my accumulated knowledge and this has emboldened my practice. And, importantly, seeing how my students create is always a delightful learning experience for me."

 

"I enjoy living a full life and incorporating outside influences into my artwork," wrote figurative painter, Chalice Mitchell, in her reflection. "Teaching keeps me on my toes in terms of ideas and technique…I need to demonstrate the principles I'm talking about, which leads to bold brushstrokes, clean color mixing, and an individualized approach to subject matter."

 

"Teaching strengthens my artistic brain by balancing both creativity and structure," wrote watercolor painter, Jill Gustavis, in her reflection. "Creating classes and talking with students not only encourages me to explore fresh subjects and applications, but also go deeper, analyze, and expand on my favorite practices, in order to best share that inspiration or knowledge with students."

 

The work featured in the Faculty Art Show will be on display until July 21 and available for purchase through Berkshire Art Center's Gallery Shop. 30 percent of sales support Berkshire Art Center's programming and 70 percent support artists in the community.