First Fridays Artswalk

09/06/2026

And that's a wrap! Thank you to everyone who attended First Fridays at Five and First Fridays Artswalk this season! Thank you to our vendors, artists, performers, sponsors, and volunteers!

09/03/2026

Visit our friends at the Makers Market tomorrow night!

09/03/2026

Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street, will feature “Layered”- Visionary Alchemy of Paper, Scissors & Glue by Margo Serina during the Artswalk on Friday, September 4 from 5 to 8 pm.

Margo Serina of Sacred Bridge Studio is a Berkshire native and life-long artist who explores with various mediums to create art while gravitating towards collage and watercolor as two of her favorite forms of expression. Her work features contrast, textures, and vibrant color combinations as well as the use of mixed media and elements of nature.

“Layered” - Visionary Alchemy of Paper, Scissors & Glue is a collection of collages Margo has created while exploring and allowing the paper she cuts and collects to come together organically in her creative process with both simplicity and articulation of the elements involved to create multi layered and cohesive images. She finds this process to be both meditative and highly therapeutic.

꩜ ꩜ ꩜
𝙼𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜…
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09/02/2026

Sanctum Gallery at 148 North Street will feature “Irresistible Future” by Amy Dawn Kotel, September 4 through September 30. There will be an opening reception with the artist during the September 4th Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm.



Amy Dawn Kotel creates vibrant, immersive artwork that bursts with movement, color, and curiosity. Inspired by nature, spirituality, human connection, and the hidden layers beneath everyday life, her paintings and mixed media works transform countless forms into expansive dreamscapes, surreal imagery, and emotionally rich worlds. Her work invites viewers to wander, wonder, and discover beauty in both the chaos and magic of being human.



Amy’s husband, Matt Swift, is an improvisational musician whose work spans electric bass, guitar, and synths. He will perform during Amy’s opening reception at the gallery. Aisha will also have a table of her beautiful soaps and candles available on a table outside the gallery as well.

09/01/2026

A new month, a new season approaching, and endless new inspiration! Step into September with the Clock Tower Artists for the first Friday of the month and explore the creativity that fills the historic Clock Tower.

Wander the third floor and meet over 20 professional artists working in a kaleidoscope of mediums. From fresh fall-inspired works to bold techniques, there’s something here to spark your imagination and warm your spirit.

Original artwork in every style and size.

Inspiring conversations with artists in their studios.

A welcoming creative community in the heart of Pittsfield.

Let’s make this the perfect kickoff to September — filled with art, connection, and the first hints of autumn magic.

Clock Tower Artists
Clock Tower Business Center
75 South Church St., 3rd Floor, Pittsfield
clocktowerartists.com

08/30/2026

The Berkshire Art Association will present TUNE IN, a biennial juried exhibit, at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, Friday, September 4 through Saturday, September 26.

Reception and Awards: Friday, September 4, 5 to 7 pm
Closing Reception and Artist Talks: Friday, September 25, 5 to 7 pm

The BAA invites you to probe into and explore the powerful artwork by artists of the Berkshires and the Northeast U.S. presented in their 2026 Biennial Exhibition, TUNE IN.

The concept TUNE IN is meant to challenge literal and visual conventions and will embrace the psyche of both artist and viewer. TUNE IN is a playful engagement in artistic dialogue focused on richness of meaning and evolution of meaning. TUNE IN pays attention to the world all around us, while encouraging connection with curiosity, empathy, and authentic personal realities. TUNE IN willfully calls us to traverse a broad enlightened path of openness.

Jurors for TUNE IN were Michael Boroniec, Artist, designer, and sculptor; Arthur Hillman, Professor Emeritus of Photography, Simon’s Rock College at Bard; and Mindy Hackner, Librarian, museum educator, and artist.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 3 pm, and by appointment.

Featured: David Hinchen "Electric City"

08/28/2026

The September 4 First Fridays at Five, presented by Mill Town Foundation, will feature live music and dance, art, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield.

Persip Park, 175 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

- Misty Blues
- B**r garden with Hot Plate Brewing Co.

Rain location: Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street

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South end of the road closure:

The Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) will offer an open-house experience featuring “What We Carry Forward: An Exploration of Art” from 5 to 7:30 pm at the South end of the road closure.

Also, near the South end of the road closure will be a 45-minute performance by Row 7 at 6 pm. Band members are Emily Rosen, Jake Conuel, Vincent Greer, and Alex Dellea.

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Palace Park, 122 North Street, 5 to 8 pm

- Art in the Park: Jill McLean draws a large ink sketch of First Friday
- Live Pottery Demo with Jim Horsford

Rain Location: Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue

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Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, 5 to 8 pm

- Berkshire Art Association presents TUNE IN, a biennial juried exhibit
- Paper Blooms with Paper Petals Artist Elizabeth Nelson

Rain Location: Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue

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North Street in front of Crawford Square, 137 North Street

- Free Balloon Twisting with Andrew the Balloonatic
- Fitness professional, Aimee Marshall, hosts a Free (DROP-IN) Cardio Drumming Class from 5 to 6:30 pm

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North Street:

-Makers Market at First Fridays at Five

-Food Vendors

-Family Fun Zone

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First Fridays Artswalk:

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Sanctum Gallery, Solarium Plant Shop, and the Soda Chef. Follow a virtual walking tour on the free Downtown Pittsfield App and enjoy opening receptions with the artists.

First Fridays at Five is led by the City of Pittsfield and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and will take place in downtown Pittsfield on May 1, June 5, August 7, and September 4, 2026. A portion of North Street will be closed during the event.

Season partners and sponsors include AccessPlus, MountainOne, Guardian, and Mill Town Foundation.

For more information and a full event listing, visit https://lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.

08/28/2026

The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield concludes its 5-month season (May through September) on Friday, September 4 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.

Participating venues on Friday, September 4 include Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Indie Readery and Records, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, O.U.R Resurge (at Makers Market), Sanctum Gallery, Solarium Plant Shop, and the Soda Chef.

Download the Downtown Pittsfield App in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.

Tour Link: https://downtownpittsfield.stqry.app/list/63424

Event Highlights (South to North):

Artists at the Clock Tower, 75 South Church Street, Third Floor

Karen Carmean, Deborah H. Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Mollie Kellogg, Eric Korenman, Bruce Laird, Lisa Loustaunau, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Stanley Singer, Ariel Smith, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson

Open Studios: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Solarium Plant Shop, 46 West Street

“Layered”- Visionary Alchemy of Paper,

Scissors & Glue

Margo Serina of Sacred Bridge Studio

On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



North Street in the Makers Market (O.U.R Resurge)

“Awamu Artist Co-op”

Ashley Sposato, Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau, and Rochely DeJesus Melendez

Visit their tent: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue

Berkshire Art Association biennial juried exhibit

TUNE IN

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 7 pm



Palace Park, 122 North Street

“Art in the Park” with Jill McLean

Drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday

Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Sanctum Gallery, 148 North Street

“Irresistible Future”

Amy Dawn Kotel

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Soda Chef, 161 North Street

Drift & Bloom: The art of Nicole March

Window Display



Hotel on North, 297 North Street

Autumn Phoenix Photography

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street

Alcohol Ink Paintings on Yupo Paper

Marney Schorr

On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm



Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street

Kid Artwork from Berkshire Art Center’s Summer in the Studios Program

On View: Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 pm

08/26/2026

Indie Readery and Records , 314 North Street, will feature Alcohol Ink Paintings on Yupo Paper by Marney Schorr now through October 2026. Stop by during the September 4 Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm.

Marney Schorr is an Abstract and Surrealist Artist working mainly in acrylics and gouache. Her imagery emanates from the subconscious creating abstract and surrealist scenes that inspire differing narratives for each viewer. In this series, Marney has experimented with Alcohol-based Inks on Yupo paper, a rich and smooth paper that stays wet and is specifically designed for this media. Her process involves dripping inks, sliding inks, and creating layers of inks.

To create luminosity, she removes gradations of inks with rubbing alcohol, q-tips, tissues, and sponges. She also sprays her works with rubbing alcohol to create a textural effect. The Ink paintings include ethereal and magical scenes, as well as landscapes and flowers, and under the sea paintings.

08/23/2026

Join Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk as they feature Jill McLean as the September “Art in the Park” artist. Jill will be drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday during the September 4 First Fridays at Five from 5 to 8 pm.

As an unofficial finale to the 2026 season of the Urban Sketching Meetup, Jill will be drawing a large ink sketch of First Friday and invites viewers to come add color to the scene and enjoy how the vibrancy, liveliness, and unpredictability of watercolor paint can capture life in interesting ways.

Urban Sketching Meetup is a free gathering that Jill hosts once a month from June to September. Running every year since 2020, the meetup is an opportunity for people who want to come out and try urban sketching (sketching in public places from life) but may not want to try it alone, or simply want a casual excuse to do art together.

Each event, a downtown Pittsfield location is designated as the meet up spot and participants explore the area with their chosen art supplies. You can practice urban sketching outdoors or indoors and draw anything you see in front of you. It’s a great way to get to know your local community.

Jill McLean is an artist and Pittsfield native inspired by a wide range of local subjects, from still lifes and florals to landscapes and animals. Working in watercolor and oil, Jill’s portfolio includes everything from urban sketches and plein air paintings to planned series and formal studio pieces. Often taking her art outside of the studio, you may find her painting on local hiking trails and at community events.

“Art in the Park” is supported in part by the Feigenbaum Foundation.

“Art in the Park” is supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.