IS183 Art School has announced classes with three new artist faculty members, L to R: Victoria Fiorini, Emma Rothenberg-Ware, and Merudjina Normil. Photos courtesy IS183.

Nonprofit News: IS183 adds faculty; Chez Nous pop-up for Berkshire Humane; Berkshire Immigrant Center fundraising recap; PS21 announces new board members

Chez Nous’ next Community Night pop-up takeout, on Thursday, Feb. 25 and Fri. Feb 26, will benefit the Berkshire Humane Society.

IS183 Art School welcomes three new faculty artists

STOCKBRIDGE IS183 Art School recently announced the hiring of three new faculty artists: Victoria Fiorini, Emma Rothenberg-Ware, and Merudjina Normil. Each is offering courses in their prospective mediums this winter and spring.

Victoria Fiorini works with metals, turning them into wearable sculpture. She will share her skills in the courses “Lost Cast Waxing: Soft Wax Stud or Hoop Earrings” (March 17), “Lost Cast Waxing: Textured Band” (April 21), and “Lost Cast Waxing: Signet Ring” (May 19).

Emma Rothenberg-Ware is a photographer living and working in the Berkshires. She will teach “Getting the Most Out of Your Candid Portraits” on March 14.

Merudjina Normil is a Black Haitian-American, non-binary multi-medium and multi-dimensional artist currently residing in Pittsfield. They are an alumni of Williams College and Pittsfield High School. They work with audio, video, movement, painting, and drawing. Merudjina is offering the courses “Intro to Painting” (March 8) and “Intro to Colored Pencils” (March 30).

—A.K.

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Chez Nous’ Community Night pop-up takeout to benefit Berkshire Humane Society

Photo courtesy Chez Nous

LEE — Chez Nous’ next Community Night pop-up takeout, on Thursday, Feb. 25 and Fri. Feb 26, will benefit the Berkshire Humane Society (BHS). The menu will be completely plant-based and consist of: roasted winter vegetable and chickpea salad with lemon, herb and honey vinaigrette; curried Creole tempeh with coconut rice, a vegetable samosa and greens; and dark chocolate pot de creme with a vegan cookie.

The price for the dinner is $45 and 20% will go to BHS. In addition, 30% of every wine purchased will be added to the total for the night. Pickup will be from 5-6:30 p.m.; please specify date and time for pickup when you place your order. Chez Nous was able to donate over $1,100 to Community Health Programs through last month’s pop-up takeout.

—A.K.

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Berkshire Immigrant Center rallies community to support immigrants during pandemic

PITTSFIELD — With nearly a year of sustained effort, the Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) has raised and distributed more than a third of a million dollars in COVID relief aid to local undocumented families who are not eligible for federal unemployment benefits and stimulus checks. In December, a BIC volunteer-led project also raised almost $5,000 to provide holiday gift cards to additional local immigrants.

“Both our ongoing COVID Relief Fund efforts and our holiday gift card drive show just how committed the community is to showing support for local immigrants,” said BIC Executive Director Michelle Lopez. “Immigrants are vital to our local economy and culture, and the Berkshire Immigrant Center is committed to helping our most vulnerable clients during this difficult time,” she added.

The Center launched its COVID Relief Fund in March 2020 to make sure local undocumented families would not fall through the cracks. To date, BIC has raised more than $350,000 for this fund from a mix of individual and business giving, private grants, and state COVID funds. The Center disburses 100 percent of these funds to clients to help them pay for basic needs such as rent, food, and utilities.

In November, BIC volunteers created the holiday gift card project. Volunteers raised more than $4,000 in cash contributions and $725 in gift cards. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown provided significant support, and Berkshire Food Co-Op, Price Chopper, Target, and Walmart donated gift cards. BIC sent gift cards to more than 100 client households so they could buy food or presents for the holidays. A parallel ongoing effort is matching donated goods such as clothing, bicycles, and sewing machines with BIC clients seeking these items.

The Center’s COVID Relief Fund has helped 162 immigrant households in the Berkshires and nearby towns in Connecticut, New York, and the Pioneer Valley. Since March 2020, BIC has provided families with an average of $2,250 in bill payments, grocery cards, and direct cash assistance. Major supporters of the fund include Berkshire Roots, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Berkshire United Way, Black Rock Foundation, Christ Trinity Church of Sheffield, EOS Foundation, Family Independence Initiative, First Congregational Church of Williamstown, Fish Family Foundation, Gilson Family Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and the Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation.

The Center remains the only program in Berkshire County that focuses exclusively on meeting the challenges of a growing immigrant and refugee population. BIC serves more than 700 clients annually, and offers free classes for those preparing to become naturalized U.S. citizens.

—A.K.

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PS21 welcomes three new board members, announces plans for summer season 

Jamal Jackson photo courtesy PS21

CHATHAM — PS21 welcomed Jamal Jackson, Susan Kramer, and Tony Muoser to its board of directors; has received renewed support from the Grunberg family; and announced plans for a Summer 2021 season and expanded year-round activities.

Jamal Jackson is the founder and artistic director of Jamal Jackson Dance Company. Susan Kramer is a historian of medieval Europe and a former corporate tax attorney. Tony Muoser recently retired from a career in finance at Rabobank, HSH Nordbank, Citigroup, UBS, and Credit Suisse.

The Grunberg family affirmed their commitment to continue supporting the work of advancing founder Judy Grunberg’s vision through the theater and programming that builds on it.

Susan Kramer photo courtesy PS21

Music, opera, circus and processional arts underpin the 2021 season, when performances will once again benefit from PS21’s open-air pavilion and 100-acre campus. Artist residencies are continuing, with artists developing new works to share with the community through streaming, live discussions, and performances.

PS21 Chatham/Pathways — free performances, arts and environmental education programs, and events in partnership with the Town of Chatham — will again take place along the new trail system, launched in 2020, which links PS21’s property with Crellin Community Park’s 40 acres and beyond.

Tony Muoser photo courtesy PS21

“PS21 is committed to building on founder Judy Grunberg’s ambitious vision by partnering with artists to create work that realizes the potential of our state-of-the-art theaters and campus,” Executive Director Elena Siyanko said. “By invigorating our leadership with three new board members, we add the perspectives and experience essential to injecting dynamism to our future directions.”

—A.K.