1 week Ago By Monica Bliss
Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative networking event at Ventfort HallLenox— Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative (BFMC) will host a spring networking event on Tuesday, May 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.
m. at the historic Ventfort Hall, located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox. The event brings together filmmakers, technicians, educators, and media professionals from across the region to share ideas, find collaborators, and spark new creative projects.
“This is our first in-person networking event since COVID. We’re excited to gather members of our industry together to see old friends and make new connections!” says Diane Pearlman, Executive Director of BFMC, “Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just curious about getting involved in this industry, we welcome you to be part of this growing creative community. We’re thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Ventfort Hall, which was featured in the Oscar-winning film, ‘The Cider House Rules.
’”Admission is free, but space is limited to 100 guests. Light bites will be served, and a cash bar will be available. RSVP by May 12th online.
***Let It Shine! debuts ‘Flying and Flourishing,’ a three-piece mural on Burbank PlacePittsfield— The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership, under the direction of Artist in Residence Huck Elling, worked with students at Pittsfield High School to paint a mural entitled “Flying and Flourishing.” This vibrant work of art is installed at Burbank Place, joining their previous tile mural, “Shapes of Togetherness.” The public is invited to the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new work on Friday, May 2nd, at 6 p.
m., as part of First Fridays at Five.As part of Let It Shine’s ongoing initiative to connect students with local artists, the group met twice a week to conceptualize and design the mural under the guidance of Artist in Residence Huck Elling and Sophie Possick, a first-year student from Williams College serving as a Public Art Intern.
‘Flying and Flourishing.’ Photo by Huck Elling. Courtesy Let It Shine!The students chose to continue transforming the previously selected location of Burbank Place, harnessing the artistic momentum to bring meaningful color and vibrancy to a spot they feel is too frequently described as dreary or graffiti-filled.
Catherine Hennessey, a 9th-grade participant, highlighted the mural’s thematic focus: “By choosing flowers and bugs, we’re literally bringing life to this space. The alleyway is dark, and real flowers can’t grow there—but now they can through our art.”***BeatNest grand opening and student showcasePittsfield— BeatNest, located at 163 North Street in Pittsfield, is excited to announce their Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, May 3rd at noon.
There will be a ribbon cutting at noon, followed by a Grand Opening Celebration and tours of the space until 5 p.m. From 5 p.
m. to 7 p.m.
, enjoy a free Student Showcase celebrating BeatNest students’ hard work and creativity.BeatNest is a music school dedicated to empowering youth to create music with technology. BeatNest offers classes in beatmaking, DJing, songwriting, and music production.
BeatNest had outgrown their first location on upper North Street, and when THECOLLAB offered BeatNest to take over their space, this new expansion was born. BeatNest had already been utilizing the space for summer camps and student showcases.Geoffrey Carter.
Courtesy BeatNest.Owner Geoffrey Carter has always been passionate about music, creativity, and sharing that excitement with others. He grew up in Lenox and went on to study Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
While at Berklee, Carter got a taste for teaching through tutoring and helping classmates. After graduating, he dove into Boston’s nightlife scene, running live sound at clubs until the early hours of the morning. When the pandemic hit and the club he worked at closed, he came back to Lenox to reset and figure out what was next.
He started working with kids at the Lenox Community Center, leading beat-making classes for kids. Watching them light up as they made music sparked something in him, and that spark became BeatNest. For more information, visit www.
beatnestschool.com.***Mad Rose Gallery at The Mercantile grand openingMillerton, N.
Y.— Mad Rose Gallery at The Mercantile, located at 3 Main Street in Millerton, N.Y.
, has announced its grand opening on Saturday May 3rd from noon to 6 p.m.Courtesy Mad Rose Gallery.
Mad Rose Gallery at The Mercantile is a new multipurpose art space that fosters an inclusive, creative community. Through curated exhibitions, educational programs, and local events, they aim to inspire, connect, and enrich lives, celebrating both emerging voices and established artists.Kerry Madigan Photography.
Courtesy Mad Rose Gallery.The opening will feature “Moments Captured, Stories Told,” a photography exhibition by Founder Kerry Madigan. Madigan’s inspiration comes from a deep appreciation for the transformative power of visual storytelling.
With roots in the Hudson Valley and a career that began in the 1970s, Kerry’s lifelong passion for capturing fleeting moments and quiet beauty continues to shape its evolving vision.For more information about upcoming special events, exhibitions, film series, and classes in photography, painting, drawing, collage, and yoga; visit www.madrosegallery.
com.***Mill Town Capital drives $132 million in economic impact across Berkshire CountyPittsfield— Impact investment platform Mill Town Capital has delivered a total economic impact of $132 million across Berkshire County, Massachusetts from 2017 to 2023, according to a new independent analysis by the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI).The study highlights how Mill Town’s investments in local businesses, real estate, and infrastructure along with philanthropic programming, are generating lasting economic impact and revitalization in the region.
Using the IMPLAN economic modeling system, UMDI quantified the direct, indirect, and induced effects of Mill Town’s activity. Key findings include:$132 million total economic impact, with $107.3 million (81%) in Pittsfield alone.
A 1.42x economic multiplier: Every $100 generated by Mill Town spurred an additional $42 in local economic activity.672 workers connected to Mill Town activity in 2023, up from just 3 in 2017.
$5.1 million in local tax revenues driven by investment and job creation.UMDI’s report shows that Mill Town Capital’s strategic mix of private investment, public-private partnerships, and community engagement is yielding measurable returns—and could serve as a model for post-industrial cities seeking long-term revitalization.
“Mill Town Capital’s business model demonstrates how mission-driven capital can catalyze meaningful economic change,” said Rod Motamedi, Assistant Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at UMDI. He added, “Their work shows how community engagement and coordination can create real momentum for Pittsfield and the region.”Courtesy Mill Town Capital.
To view the economic impact summary report, visit 2017-23-economic-impact-report.pdf***Housatonic Valley Association receives prestigious land trust accreditation renewal recognitionPittsfield— The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) has been recognized for excellence in conservation practices with an accreditation renewal from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. This mark of national distinction recognizes the highest standards across organizations.
HVA has been selected by the Commission for a third five-year term of accreditation for demonstrating sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. HVA has been accredited since 2014 and is one of 479 accredited land trusts in the United States. Courtesy Housatonic Valley Association.
“HVA’s board and staff are excited to celebrate this achievement,” says HVA Executive Director Lynn Werner. “The Land Trust Accreditation program drives excellence in all of our operations and builds trust and good faith with our donors and conservation partners. We’re proud to be part of an incredibly strong network of accredited organizations working together to protect precious woodlands, wildlife, water and open spaces where we can connect with nature across generations.
”“There are relatively few accredited land trusts that are also watershed organizations,” says HVA’s Conservation Director Tim Abbott. “HVA saves thousands of acres of land every year by supporting the sound transactions of our land trust and agency partners with our expertise, resources and regional conservation partnerships. Although we rarely add land and easements to our own conservation holdings, accreditation ensures that our fundraising, negotiations, record-keeping and deal structures deserve the full faith and support of our partners and the communities we serve.
”The Housatonic Valley Association demonstrates commitment to these values through conservation projects, partnerships and public events across the entire tri-state Housatonic River watershed. To learn more, visit hvatoday.org.
***Greylock Federal promotes Brianna Lison to Branch Manager of Great Barrington branchGreat Barrington— Greylock Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Brianna Lison to branch manager of its Great Barrington branch.In her new role, Lison manages an expanded team, and plays an active role in business development, promoting Greylock’s products and services. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing branch compliance, originating mortgage and home equity loans, originating and underwriting consumer loans, and maintaining an extensive variety of member accounts.
Brianna Lison. Courtesy Greylock Federal.Lison began her career with Greylock in 2019 as a branch specialist in the Great Barrington, Lee, and Lenox branches.
Within the credit union, Lison successfully completed Greylock Management Academy and also earned a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation in 2024.“I am thrilled about Brianna’s promotion to branch manager of our Great Barrington location. Since joining Greylock six years ago, Brianna has consistently demonstrated a passion for excellent member service and a commitment to advancing her knowledge and expertise of the credit union industry,” said Jennifer O’Neil, Vice President, Market Manager.
“In this new phase of her career, I know Brianna will continue to serve all of our members with intentionality, care, and thoughtfulness.”***Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center welcomes Brent Heath as Director of Finance and AdministrationGreat Barrington— The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center welcomes Brent Heath as Director of Finance and Administration. Brent Heath.
Courtesy The Mahaiwe.Brent Heath is a finance and arts administration professional with over three decades of experience in the performing arts industry. With training in music, accounting, and social work, he established himself in New York City where he spent more than 35 years in classical music artist management.
His career in the for-profit sector provided him with extensive experience in financial oversight, artist relations, and business operations. Currently serving as Director of Finance & Administration, Brent brings his unique combination of financial acumen and artistic understanding to the nonprofit sector..
