Kristy Edmunds of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts is the Visionary of the Year.
LENOX, Mass. — 1Berkshire celebrated this year's movers and shakers at the 12th annual Celebrate the Berkshires on Thursday night.
The event at the Linde Center at Tanglewood honored individuals, businesses and organizations that support the Berkshires.
"What truly energizes this event is seeing the excitement it generates amongst the people, initiatives, businesses and organizations doing some of the most dynamic work here in our region," said Jonathan Butler, president and CEO of 1Berkshire. "The Trendsetter awards are our opportunity to shine a light on that work, and we're thrilled to have this year's group of finalists here to celebrate with us,"
One of the main awardees for "Putting the Berkshires on the Map" was Stockbridge's Norman Rockwell Museum
Executive Director Laurie Norton Moffatt, who will be retiring next year after four decades at the museum, spoke about her time there and growing up in the county.
"Know how much we appreciate our Berkshire roots and our community, the place that has welcomed and healed Norman Rockwell during his years of need when he first moved to the Berkshires, and the place that nurtured and raised me, the place that welcomes so many to the Berkshires, a place with a wealth of nature, culture, organizations and citizens putting good work into the community and around the world," she said.
"We thank you for this honor. It is an honor for Norman Rockwell Museum to follow a long tradition of artists, inventors, organizations, volunteers and devoted citizens who put the Berkshires on the map in the best sense of place, a place where people can become their best selves, have access to the cultural and natural amenities that support a whole child, support a young person, inspire an artist, welcome an immigrant to achieve their potential and give back to the world, representing Norman Rockwell Museum across the commonwealth, throughout the nation and around the globe, has been the privilege of a lifetime."
Other awards of the night were presented to six other categories: Driving Visitor Engagement, the Under 40 Change-Maker, Nonprofit Collaborator, Visionary of the Year, "Breaking the Mold," and Advancing Our Economy.
The Under 40 Change-Maker was awarded to Brett Random, who as executive director of Berkshire County Head Start expanded its programs that include local urgent issues.
"I feel truly honored and humbled. I mean, I've always just had such great passion for the work that I do," she said. "So to be recognized, it's kind of like, oh, like people are recognizing me for this, but it feels so natural, and I just feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I really feel like I'm working in my purpose."
The Driving Visitor Engagement Award was given to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center of Great Barrington.
"So honored to receive this recognition for the opening of our new space and all that we do to bring people to the region. And it was really fun to be here tonight and celebrate with all of the nominees and winners," said Executive Director Janice Martinson.
The Nonprofit Collaborator Award was given to Zion Lutheran Church, which is building nine supportive housing units and a resource center within the church.
"We're very pleased, surprised. You know, we didn't think that a Lutheran church, even doing what we're doing, would get this kind of recognition, and it's helpful, but we're just getting started too. We're just finishing construction, so now we have to see that it runs smoothly," said Jim Schaefer, a project team member.
The award for Breaking the Mold was given to Roots and Dream and Mustard Seeds, whose officials were surprised with the honor.
"I'm just surprised, because, in reality, the radical stuff we're attempting to do, I didn't ever expect any more traditional development firm to not even care about us, but even know about us," said Executive Director Michael Hitchcock. "It's just seemed like a weird match up to me, but when I was researching, they make you accept their word and write a little essay about why what you're doing okay. And as I'm researching their development goals, I actually saw some surprising overlaps. And I saw that they are trying to do it, some gentle grasping towards the worker, the common person. So it's nice."
The award for Advancing the Berkshire Economy went to Electro Magnetic Applications. Inc.
"It's pretty good. It's nice to see that we're recognized. Earlier this year, our company also won a Silver Award from MassEcon [for contributions to the state's economy]. And so it's nice to see that we are continuing to help the economy in this area and in Massachusetts as well," said Robert Smith, a lab technician.
And the award for Visionary of the Year was awarded to Kristy Edmunds with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Edmunds has partnered the museum with the city of North Adams in creating a blueprint for reconfiguring and developing the area between the downtown and the museum.
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