Pittsfield has a thriving and dynamic year-round art scene that rivals city’s twice its size. Not many municipalities can boast of having an official city art gallery, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. People enjoy monthly Artswalk events where multiple galleries downtown showcase art exhibits and street art such as murals, sculptures, and lighting installations on buildings, and video projection shows. Art is an integral and exciting part of the Pittsfield landscape and culture. Artwork and photo credit: Jesse Tobin McCauley, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
Berkshire Art Association
Since 1950, the Berkshire Art Association has been dedicated to promoting the visual arts in Berkshire County, providing opportunities for exhibition and education and encouraging interaction among artists, art students, and the public.
Berkshire Lightscapes
Berkshire Lightscapes lights up the exteriors of downtown buildings and public spaces to help illuminate and energize downtown Pittsfield. The artistic, energy efficient LED lighting is coordinated between buildings and allows for exciting light shows. Check out the following buildings after dark which all have lights:
- City Hall (70 Allen St.)
- Dunham Mall (walkway between City Hall and North St.)
- Persip Plaza (corner of North and Columbus Ave.)
- Sottile Plaza (corner of North and Eagle St.)
- The Colonial Theatre (111 South St.)
- Barrington Stage Company’s Wolfson Center (122 North St.)
- Crawford Square (137 North St.)
- The Shipton Building (146-156 North St.)
- United Church of Christ (110 South St.)
- Masonic Temple (116 South St.)
Clock Tower Artists
The Clock Tower Artists is a collective of working artists in the heart of Pittsfield, located in the beautiful Berkshires – a cultural destination in the hills of Western Massachusetts. The artist studios are on the 3rd floor of the Clock Tower Business Center. The Clock Tower complex was originally seven buildings built by the Terry Clock Co. in the 1890s. It was acquired by Arthur W. Eaton and his associates, who formed the Eaton Paper Company. See the new beautiful gallery and you may even witness their artistic processes firsthand and be captivated by an eclectic blend of masterpieces that will enchant and inspire you. Make sure not to miss out on this extraordinary artistic journey! Self guided gallery tours Monday- Friday 1-5pm. Watch for special events.
Artists
Deborah H Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Marion Grant, Stacey Healey, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, and Stefanie Weber
75 South Church Street, 3rd Floor | clocktowerartists.com
First Fridays Artswalk
First Fridays Artswalk is the largest year-round monthly visual arts event in the Berkshires. Every first Friday of each month from 5 to 8pm, downtown retailers, restaurants and businesses along North and South Streets, transform into art galleries. Stop into over a dozen locations to explore artwork and meet the artists during their opening receptions. New art is on display all month long.
413-443-6501 | firstfridaysartswalk.com
The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership celebrates new murals in Pittsfield. These murals are intended to beautify downtown and the West Side of Pittsfield by reflecting and celebrating the communities, history, environment, or future of Pittsfield. Learn more about the mural artists who created murals in 2023 below.
Direct link to virtual walking tour of over 2 dozen murals in Pittsfield (constantly updated)
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
Affectionately called The Licht, this city-owned community arts center’s gallery space hosts changing art shows featuring local and regional artists, classes, performances, gatherings, readings, and more. The Lichtenstein also houses nine working artist studios, community space, a ceramics workshop, and a darkroom. Photo credit The Berkshire Eagle
28 Renne Ave. | 413-499-9348
NUarts Studios & Gallery
NUarts houses the studios of over 20 local artists, musicians, art therapists, and wellness services in downtown Pittsfield. They seek to foster a welcoming and creative environment, elevate the well-being of their artists and the larger community, make art accessible, inclusive, and empowering through group exhibitions, open studio events, and other city-wide events.
311 North St. 2nd Floor at Union St. | nuartsgallery.com
Pittsfield Beautiful
This non-profit, volunteer-run organization, plants and maintains gardens and outdoor spaces throughout the city in order to help Pittsfield be a truly welcoming and beautiful place, one flower at a time!
