Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Artscape Art Walk!

In the next few weeks -- Artist & Educator Craig Langlois from the Berkshire Museum will be leading free 90-minute tours, showing off some of the nearly 50 pieces of public art along the streets of Pittsfield. Some of the works included in the tour are selections from this year’s Artscape, including sculptures, mixed media installations, murals, and more!

If you've ever wanted to know more about a piece of art you've seen while walking Downtown Pittsfield, then come out and walk with us! It's a chance to check out all the great art Downtown Pittsfield has to offer!

Artscape’s Walking Tours are:
Saturday, September 18 (rain date Sun Sept 19)
October 9 (rain date October 10) and Columbus day weekend
October 23 (rain date October 30).

All tours begin at 1 pm. The tours will start and end at the Pittsfield Visitors’ Center on South Street (Route 7) in Pittsfield, next to Ben and Jerry’s. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

For more details or weather concerns, contact the Pittsfield Visitor’s Center at 413-443-9186 or the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 413-499-9348.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Think Pink Call to Artists!

THINK PINK
A National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Art Exhibit

Sponsored by
The Berkshire County Breast Health Team
and The Storefront Artist Project

You're invited to participate in the 7th Annual Think Pink Art Exhibit sponsored by The Storefront Artist Project and the Berkshire County Breast Health Team. The exhibit will be at The Colonial Theatre from October 1st – 10th, 2010 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The concept behind Think Pink is to raise the awareness of breast cancer and to promote “Uplifting Rhythms,” the theme for this year’s art show. Every year this festive event attracts hundreds of people who gather together and honor breast cancer survivors and the talent of the artists.

If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, please call Paula King at 413-822-7647 or email at pking1@berkshire.rr.com (include your name, mailing address, email and phone number) by Tuesday, August 31st. You will need to submit the details of your piece (Title, Medium, Dimensions, Price) to me by September 10th. The artist receives 75% of any sale, so set your price accordingly. We ask that you exhibit something that incorporates the above-mentioned theme and/or pink! Exhibit space is limited so each artist will be limited to one piece.

The Colonial Theatre lobby is the backdrop for the exhibit and the Opening Night reception is scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2010, 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm. The opening will be followed by a spectacular and breathtaking musical production, Rhythm of the Dance, by the National Dance Company of Ireland. Tickets to the show are available through The Colonial Theatre Box Office at 413-997-4444.

Volunteers will be available at the theatre on Monday September 27th (Noon to 5pm) & Tuesday September 28th (4:30pm to 6pm) for drop-off of your artwork. Pick up will take place on October 12th, between 2pm and 8pm. Please use the theatre’s back door.
Thank you for believing in the arts and advocating for health in our community.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Public Art Call to Artists for Work



Public art can be monumental and powerful, or diminutive and subtle; it can be painted, assembled, constructed, synthesized or sculpted. Public art is any work created with the specific intent to be placed in a public space; they can be magnets for attention, raise questions, bend our perceptions of a space and place, and alter how we experience our cities.

With this spirit, Pittsfield’s Artscape invites artists to submit proposals for new work in the 2010-2011 exhibition season. Deadline for receipt of submission is October, 31st 2010. Artists will receive a $1000 honorarium. For more information on how to apply please call 413-499-9348 or visit us online.

The mission of the city of Pittsfield’s Artscape program is to enhance the downtown’s character and attract visitors by installing and promoting works of art in various outdoor locations accessible to the public throughout the downtown area. Full application information below!


2011 Public Art Proposal Guidelines:

ARTSCAPE and the CITY OF PITTSFIELD, MA

DEADLINE: October 31st, 2010

ABOUT ARTSCAPE AND THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD

The mission of the City of Pittsfield’s Artscape program is to enhance the downtown’s character and attract visitors by installing and promoting works of art in various outdoor locations accessible to the public throughout the downtown area.

The city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts is located in the heart of culturally rich Berkshire County, in western Massachusetts. A city of 45,000, Pittsfield is home to the Berkshire Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, Barrington Stage Company, the Colonial Theatre, the Berkshire Opera Company, South Mountain Concerts, the Berkshire Music School, the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Storefront Artist Project, and a variety of other cultural attractions. In addition, the city features a winter ski resort, a state forest, two lakes, the Housatonic River, and a National Audubon Society sanctuary within its city borders.

PROPOSAL PROCEDURE

Artists proposing a work for public display are encouraged to visit the City of Pittsfield before submitting their proposal. Applicants must take into account that the site is an urban outdoor environment. Please be aware that sculptures and installations must meet safety requirements and be able to withstand the effects of weather and public use. Insurance coverage for the artwork (protection against damage, theft or vandalism) is not provided. Liability insurance is provided by the City of Pittsfield. The exhibition of the work will be between May 2011 and May 2012.

Selection Process:

Proposals are juried by an advisory committee composed of prominent curators, artists, arts administrators and Artscape member representatives.

Honorarium:

Recipients are granted financial support in the amount of $1,000. One (or more) proposals for new and/or site specific work may receive (as determined in the review process) a $2,500 honorarium. Some technical assistance, approved by the Artscape committee on a project-by-project basis, is provided to install work. Placement of all work is determined by the committee. Requests for site-specific locations must be submitted with the original proposal.

Eligibility:

This program is open to all artists, nationally and internationally. Artscape can not provide any housing or transportation. Artists living outside the local region have to make their own living and travel arrangements.


2011 ARTSCAPE PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

PROPOSAL CHECKLIST:


-Current Resume
-References
-CD With Images
-CD Script
-Color Laser Copies, Photographs Or Digital Prints
-Proposal for work – please include a drawing or rendering for proposed new work.
-Price list if work is available for sale
-Self Addressed, Stamped Envelope (For Return Of Materials)
-Self Addressed Stamped Postcard (Optional) (notify you of receipt of proposal)

Current Resume: This should include information about education; exhibition history; awards, grants/residencies; and details of any published writings or reviews about your work.

References: Please provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two people who are familiar with your work.

Ten Images on CD: Images should be of recent work, particularly if they relate to your proposal. DO NOT SEND MORE THAN TEN IMAGES. ONLY THE FIRST TEN WILL BE REVIEWED.

CD Script: Please send a list (printed hard copy) that corresponds to the submitted images. For each image, include the title, date, materials and dimensions and, if necessary, a brief description of the work.

(optional) 1-5 Color Laser Copies, Photographs Or Digital Prints
These should be of images selected from the submitted images (do not send images of works that are not included on the script). Be sure to label each one with your name and a number that corresponds to the script.

PROPOSAL:

A brief description of the work that you would like to produce and exhibit. This can be a written description and/or a drawing, plan or rendering.

Please DO NOT send:
• materials larger than 8-1/2 x 11 inches
• original artwork
• large format transparencies
• video tapes

Price List: If work is available for purchase please list the price. Sales are made with 30% of sale price going back to Artscape and 70 % to the artist.

Self Addressed, Stamped Envelope: large enough to enclose all submitted materials and should have enough postage to cover return mailing.

Self Addressed Stamped Postcard (optional)
For notification that your proposal package was received, please enclose a self addressed, stamped postcard.


Completed proposals must be received in the office of Cultural Development at The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts by 5:00 pm on October 31 2010.

Be sure to put your name, address and telephone number on all materials.

You can send your proposal by regular mail, Federal Express or UPS to:
Please do not send your proposal by registered mail or return receipt.

Artscape: 2011 Public Art Proposal
c/o Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development
Office of Cultural Development
28 Renne Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Telephone: 413-499-9348

Hand Delivered:


To deliver your proposal by hand, please deliver to The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, 28 Renne Avenue, Monday through Friday. Call in advance for hours.