Art in the Berkshires presents its inaugural juried arts and crafts show at Eastover Contemporary Arts Space
Lenox— From June 5th through July 5th, Art in the Berkshires presents its inaugural juried arts and crafts show.
Art lives here. It lives in the hands of our neighbors, in quiet studios tucked between Berkshire hills, in the spark of creativity that too often goes unseen. Art in the Berkshires invites the community to experience the heartbeat of local talent, featuring outstanding fine art and craftsmanship from regional artists, shining a spotlight on the creative energy that makes the Berkshires so vibrant.
As part of Art in the Berkshires’ mission to amplify the transformative power of local art, they are also launching an online gallery, where the juried show will be available for viewing and purchase, allowing art lovers near and far to discover and collect regional work. The show will be exhibited online from June 7th through December 15th.
The exhibit runs from June 5th through July 5th at the Eastover Contemporary Arts Space, located at 430 East Street in Lenox. There is an opening reception on Saturday, June 7th from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests will meet the artists, explore their work, enjoy live music, and celebrate with drinks and light nibbles. The public will also have a voice in recognizing talent with a People’s Choice Award, open for voting at the reception and throughout the show. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Future Lab(s) Gallery presents ‘Portals: Life, Death, and a Little Red House,’ the work of Dawn Nelson and Carolyn Newberger
North Adams— From June 6th through the 28th, Future Lab(s) Gallery presents “Portals: Life, Death, and a Little Red House,” the work of Dawn Nelson and Carolyn Newberger.
Life is a continuous movement between thresholds—each one a portal, each one offering both a goodbye and a beginning. In “Portals,” artists Carolyn Newberger and Dawn Nelson explore the liminal spaces that shape who we are, where we come from, and who we may become.
Nelson traces the voyage of her ancestors, stepping through time from a small red house in rural Sweden to a new life in America. Her work evokes the echoes of those who came before, revealing the courage, longing, and transformation that define the immigrant journey. Newberger, by contrast, turns inward, contemplating the recent death of her husband. She peers through the doorway of grief into the layered history they shared, and the uncertain but unfolding landscape of life without him.
Together, they ask: how do we move forward when something ends? What does it mean to cross into a new chapter, willingly or not? Every portal is both an entry and an exit, a space of transition and possibility. Portals invites us all to stand in that in-between space—to pause, reflect, and ask: where are we going next?
The exhibit runs from June 6th through the 28th at Future Lab(s) Gallery, located at 43 Eagle Street in North Adams. There is an opening reception on Friday, June 6th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is a closing reception on Saturday, June 28th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found online.
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James Weldon Johnson Foundation celebrates the 125th anniversary of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and James Weldon Johnson’s legacy and connection to The Berkshires
Great Barrington— On Wednesday, June 5th at 6 p.m., the James Weldon Johnson Foundation presents a special community event featuring distinguished speakers Rufus and Jill Jones, founders of the James Weldon Johnson Foundation, at Monument Mountain High School.
The presentation, centered on James Weldon Johnson’s iconic work “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” aims to foster civic engagement and celebrate Johnson’s significant cultural contributions and connections to The Berkshires. The Foundation will present a history of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and explain why the National Football League continues playing this hymn before the National Anthem.
“We’re thrilled to bring the community together to celebrate James Weldon Johnson’s remarkable legacy,” said Rufus Jones. “His connection to The Berkshires represents an important chapter in our local history that deserves greater recognition.”
The presentation is on Wednesday, June 5th at 6 p.m. at Monument Mountain High School, located at 600 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington. It is free and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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MPZ Productions presents Scott Moreau in ‘Diamond: The Songs of Neil Diamond’ at The Stationery Factory
Dalton— On Saturday, June 7th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., MPZ Productions presents Scott Moreau in “Diamond: The Songs of Neil Diamond” at The Stationery Factory.
Scott Moreau’s Neil Diamond tribute has sold out all over the country. Join Moreau, his backup singers and an amazing band for a journey through Neil Diamond’s catalog of music, including “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “I Am…I Said,” “Shiloh”, “Hello Again,” “Forever In Blue Jeans,” and many more. He tells the backstory of many of Neil’s greatest songs and about the life of one of America’s greatest songsmiths with a high energy show that will have you tapping your toes and singing along. And yes, there will be sequins.
Scott Moreau is well known for his 1200 performances as Johnny Cash, which he performed all over the world for more than 15 years. Notably, he was also on the first National Broadway Tour of “Million Dollar Quartet,” playing 310 American cities as well as Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.
The concert is on Saturday, June 7th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Stationery Factory, located at 63 Flansburg Avenue in Dalton. Tickets and more information can be found online. Given that food insecurity is rampant and appears to be getting worse, MPZ Productions has committed a percentage of all ticket sales to local food banks.
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Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center presents summer kick-off dinner party
Great Barrington— On Saturday, June 7th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center presents a summer kick-off dinner party, an enchanting evening of delicious food, community spirit, and the natural beauty of Ward’s Nursery.
Created by After Hours Hospitality and set amidst the lush greenery of Ward’s Nursery, this exclusive event offers guests a unique dining experience featuring a seven-course, vegetable-forward menu served family-style. Attendees will enjoy the natural beauty of one of the Berkshires’ most beloved garden centers while savoring seasonal dishes.
The dinner is on Saturday, June 7th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center, located at 600 Main Street in Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Berkshire Bounty to help combat local food insecurity.
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Berkshire County Historical Society offers Bird Banding Demonstrations with Ben Nickley and Berkshire Bird Observatory
Pittsfield— Beginning on Thursday, June 5th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Berkshire County Historical Society offers a series of Bird Banding Demonstrations with Ben Nickley and Berkshire Bird Observatory, allowing Arrowhead visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.
Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods, fields, and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species. Experience researchers leveraging the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all.
Ben Nickley is the Executive Director of Berkshire Bird Observatory, a local nonprofit dedicated to bird conservation in the Berkshires and beyond. Ben loves sharing his passion for birds with others. By bringing people into the field to see conservation in action and wild birds up close, he hopes to inspire a deeper connection to nature and community.
The free event begins on Thursday, June 5th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Arrowhead, located at 780 Holmes Road in Pittsfield. The event also takes place on June 5th, 12th, and 26th and July 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31st. More information can be found online.
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Fairview Hospital’s Education Department presents free, full-day program on Mental Health First Aid, offered by Chase Giroud of Clinical and Support Options
Great Barrington— On Thursday, June 5th, Fairview Hospital’s Education Department presents a free, full-day program on Mental Health First Aid, offered by Chase Giroud of Clinical and Support Options.
May is Mental Health Month and a great opportunity to raise awareness and skills in strengthening our own, and supporting others’, mental health. This is an excellent program for staff and community organizations who interact with the public and are interested in building skills to be prepared to assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.
The free, full-day event is on Thursday, June 5th at Fairview Hospital, located at 29 Lewis Avenue in Great Barrington. Lunch will be provided. To register, email tsugrue@bhs1.org or call 413-854-9729.
