Embark on an Artful Adventure

Plan an Artful Getaway this September to Enjoy the Creative Offerings of ArtWeek Berkshires

Well known for its famous creatives like Norman Rockwell, Edith Wharton, and Herman Mellville, the Berkshires has long been celebrated as a provenance for creativity. Painters, dancers, actors, musicians, sculptors, writers, and all others who are artistically inclined, come to the Berkshires to create—some of them make their homes here, too. 

This fall, ArtWeek Berkshires will celebrate this indelible spirit of creativity with a 10-day, county-wide festival. From September 16th through the 26th, patrons of the arts can enjoy a colorful palette of free artistic offerings by local creators. Below are a few highlights. Explore the full roster of events and open studios here.

On the grounds of The Mount in Lenox, Sculpture Now showcases 30 large-scale sculptures by nationally and internationally-recognized artists, a unique intersection of art and nature. Exploring this same theme is “Two Perspectives on the Natural World: Paintings by Ghetta Hirsch and Carolyn Newberger” at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary—stop by on September 25th from 4-7PM for an artists’ reception.

Wander through HOSTILE TERRAIN at Gallery 51 in North Adams, a partnership with MCLA students and faculty and the Undocumented Migration Project. This participatory art project is composed of “~3,200 handwritten toe tags representing migrants who have died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert of Arizona between the mid-1990s and 2019.” While you’re in north county, check out these art shows: Something Found by mixed media artist Joanna Klain at the Eclipse Mill Gallery; A Beautiful World by 12-year-old painter Emily Lyons at Greylock Works; and I Studied Design in Grade School by artist Sidney Russell at Eckert Fine Art on the MASS MoCA campus.

All during ArtWeek, enjoy a sweet treat at Robin’s Candy Store in Great Barrington. The shop plans to offer free samples of local artists’ favorites—find out who loves Jelly Belly’s, sea salt caramels, chocolate covered pretzels, and more. You can also treat yourself to an oil painting demo by artist Bob Watkins on September 18th, a Music Mondays dance party at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on September 20th, and  a paper marbling demonstration on September 21st by Lauren Clark, a paper marbler who has practiced this unique craft for more than 30 years.

Autumn is a special time in the Berkshires, and will be more so during the 10 fantastical days of ArtWeek when we showcase that #creativityliveshere. So mark your calendars for creative exploration and artful fun this September—and be sure to pick apples, enjoy a cider donut, and hike a trail during your artful adventure. Find all the inspiration you need for the perfect Berkshire visit here.

Written by Elizabeth Nelson 

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