Whitney Center for the Arts

05/02/2020

We hope to see you soon!

03/12/2020

***UPDATE*** Please note that the "Lions and Lambs" group art show opening has been CANCELLED until further notice. This is in response to the concerns regarding COVID-19 and in adherence with procedures guided by the state of emergency declarations by Massachusetts Governor Baker and Mayor Tyer. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience but must put safety first.

03/12/2020

Lions and Lambs Group Art Show Artist Spotlight: Erin C Potter

Biography

"I grew up in the Bekshires, and it will forever be a part of me.
There is a haunting beauty in the rural landscape, with skies filled with stars, and ever changing color.
I often reflect on the childhood adventures that my surroundings nurtured.

Nature holds a perfect beauty, a breathtaking encompassment of color, balanced with life, light,
death and darkness.
A walk in the woods for me is as fulfilling as a visit to a grand art museum.
There is something about being in untamed nature, something that lifts the spirits.
Inspiration is everywhere."

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TinyLionCreations/

www.instagram.com/erincpotter_fineart

Artwork by Erin C Potter
In the form of painting, drawing, photography and other creations.

03/12/2020

Lions and Lambs Group Art Show Artist Spotlight: Sam Craig

"Sam Craig grew up in central Louisiana and graduated with a degree in mathematics from Louisiana Tech. He began his career in various building trades and cabinetmaking. After moving to Nashville in 1973, he worked in the entertainment business: technical theatre, film and video, and scenery design. He opened his own business in the early 90’s, building museum and trade show exhibits, as well as theatre sets. After retiring in 2003, he moved to the Berkshires, where he continued to freelance in professional theatre. More recently he began carving in wood. Some of his wood ware and functional carvings may be purchased at Local, in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Sam has been collecting unusual and beautiful found wood pieces for many years, and he likes to think that his art remains closely tied to nature. He says of his work,”Some of my pieces are simply abstract enhancements of the natural beauty in wood, in its range of colors and forms. Others are representational objects or creatures suggested by the shapes provided. I especially love carving cherry burl, because of its beauty and the variety of its grain patterns. In all my work I try to express my vision while remaining faithful to and respectful of my medium.”

03/11/2020

Lions and Lambs Group Art Show Artist Spotlight:

In addition to having multiple pieces in the Lions and Lambs show, Natalia Bystrianyk also has a solo exhibit of her work in our C**t Gallery.

Natalia is best known for her powerful use of color in deeply layered intuitive paintings which bubble up from years of life experience. Her instinct of where to go with it and when to stop is informed by her spiritually - a regular practice of mindfulness, yoga and meditation, as well as creating art itself. Her fearless creativity is not initially concerned with results, and so is allowed to develop freely. This offers the viewer an invitation to an immediate sense of freedom, possibility, and wonder. Her process affords a playful back-and-forth over several days and sometimes weeks or months, forging a deep trust in the communion created while she works. She enjoys using acrylics and at times mixing it with other mediums from colored pencil and ink to paper and spray paint on canvas or board. Please consider joining Natalia in community on the journey - either in person in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, at an artist retreat in need of a facilitator, or virtually on Facebook and Instagram.

*photo credit: Miranda Hope Shea

http://www.nataliabystrianyk.com/

03/10/2020

Lions and Lambs Group Art Show Artist Spotlight:

Misa Chappell has six lovely works featured in our Lions and Lambs show. Please check out her artist statement below:

"I was not formally trained as an artist. My work is an intuitive and personal exploration of the feminine divine and the universal mother. The universal mother is an essential part of religious, spiritual and cultural traditions worldwide. I often gravitate to the image of the Virgin Mary because of the deep symbolism and lush ornamentation associated with her.

I use a variety of media, including watercolor and acrylic paint; collage; pencil; fire; wax; red wine; blood; cloth; crayon; ink and more. I work on wood, canvas, stone, paper, and any other surface I find intriguing— I prefer to use whatever I have on hand and to experiment.My influences include the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mary Magdalene, Malala, saints, witches, and
illuminated manuscripts.

I grew up in Amherst, MA and earned an art history degree from Columbia university in 1990. I now live off-grid on Florida mountain and work at the Common Folk Artist Collective and at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA."

https://www.facebook.com/MisaArtistPage/

Old, new and ongoing work

03/10/2020

Lions and Lambs Artist Spotlight:

Sally Tiska Rice is one of the local artists featured in the Lions and Lambs art show that is currently on display at the Whitney Center for the Arts.

"About the Artist:

Sally Tiska Rice was born and raised in the beautiful Berkshires. She is the youngest of four children. Sally lives in a rural town with her husband, daughter and pets, where she is inspired by her surroundings.

As a young girl she would sit with her father as he designed and drew many blueprints. This was the start of her love for art in all of its forms. While painting and drawing she feels spiritually gratified and relaxed. Sally focuses on blending and layering to achieve depth and dimension. She also experiments with light and color in an effort to create a piece that will be enjoyed. Sally employs many different techniques into her paintings, using acrylic, watercolors, oil paints, pastels, as well as mixed media.

Sally has been employed with Crane & Co., Inc. since 1998, where she has enjoyed being a part of creating new techniques and designs as a Hand Bordering Artist. She has attended The New York City Stationery Show in 2010 to demonstrate the art of fine hand bordering. While at Crane & Co. Sally has hand border for customers such as Tiffany’s, Cartier, and William Arthur. She has also painted borders on personal stationery for Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Winkler, Ozzy and Sharon Osborn, Jennifer Aniston, Lionel Richie and Aretha Franklin to name a few.

Her love to travel has given Sally opportunities to further her understanding of art in all its forms. She has been able to visit many areas in the Northeast, ranging from the majestic mountains to the scenic shores. Sally has enjoyed art abroad while in Italy, Greece, Spain and the Caribbean as well. These experiences have encouraged her knowledge and appreciation of the history of art throughout the world.

Sally uses spontaneity to compose artwork as well as many beautiful commission art pieces for customers internationally. Her commission pieces are usually created from one or more images that the customer has chosen to blend together to form a one of a kind piece of art. Sally also has many customers that have purchased fine art prints."

http://www.sallytiskarice.com/STR/Welcome_1.html

03/10/2020

Lions and Lambs Group Art Show Artist Spotlight:

n0nsense is a collaborative and mutually influential body of artwork 20 years in the making at the hands of Devin Edward and Shaun Kelly. Both artists have framed 11 x 14 prints of their artwork in the show.

https://www.facebook.com/n0nsense.ink/

n0nsense is a collaborative and mutually influential body of artwork 20 years in the making at the h

02/28/2020

This evening @ the Whit

02/28/2020

02/14/2020

Click on the link to hear the Whit’s Artistic Director, Monica Bliss discuss VDAY on Morning Drive with William Sturgeon.
One more performance left -> Saturday 2pm @ The Whit!

WTBR-FM's 'Morning Drive'