Berkshire Art Center Announces New 2D & 3D Open Studio Offerings in Stockbridge
Berkshire Art Center (formerly IS183 Art School) is excited to announce the expansion of Open Studio offerings in its 2D and 3D studios at its flagship location, Citizens’ Hall, in Stockbridge beginning this month.
Building on their popular Ceramics Open Studio offerings, Berkshire Art Center is extending studio and equipment access in the two other studios of their Stockbridge location to further amplify its mission of growing and sustaining artists in the Berkshires and beyond. Open Studio is an opportunity which provides artists in the community with specialized resources to explore new mediums using equipment and supplies at a reasonable fee. In Berkshire Art Center’s Ceramics Department, Open Studio currently allows students taking adult studio classes in wheel throwing or handbuilding to practice learned techniques and complete projects outside of regular class time. It has also provided local and regional ceramic artists, who do not have access to a large studio space or kiln of their own, the opportunity to create and fire their work in preparation for exhibitions and shows.
Having recently reorganized its studio spaces in Stockbridge, Berkshire Art Center has expanded its 3D studio, located on the third level of Citizens’ Hall, to include space for printmaking centered around a recent generous donation of an American French Tool Etching press. Open Studio will be offered in printmaking at $25 for three hour sessions per person and artists will be provided with tools for engraving, monotype, drypoint, linocut, woodcut, and more.
“Of the many things artists, especially printmakers, need to thrive, space & equipment are paramount,” said Executive Director, Lucie Castaldo. “With the addition of our etching press, new classes are available in Stockbridge - like Intro to Drypoint Printmaking and Monotype Printmaking - and printmakers in our community will have greater access to this incredible piece of equipment.”
Berkshire Art Center is thrilled to welcome new faculty artist, Ian Prishwalko, who will be teaching “The Ins and Outs of Drypoint Printmaking,” a crash course in drypoint printmaking, beginning Sunday, October 29th, from 3:00pm to 5:30pm in the 3D Studio at Citizens’ Hall. In this six-week course, artists will utilize several substrates to create small editions of prints and explore various techniques including chine-collé, à la poupée, and viscosity printing. Returning faculty artist, Kathline Carr, will also be offering a printmaking class at Citizens’ Hall for five weeks focused on monotype starting Monday, November 1st, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. In “Exploring Monotype” with Carr, artists will work with Berkshire Art Center’s etching press and explore a range of techniques to create textures, layers and spontaneous imagery within their prints. Registration is now open for both courses at www.berkshireartcenter.org/classes.
Along with printmaking in the 3D studio, Berkshire Art Center will also have Open Studio opportunities in the fiber arts (sewing, dyeing, felting, knitting, crochet, and punch needle) and paper arts (collage, bookmaking, and papermaking). At a $15 cost for three hour sessions per person, fiber and paper artists will be able to use supplies and equipment such as needle felting tools, sewing machines, tabletop weaving looms, collage ephemera, paper punches, bone folders, and more.
In addition to offering Open Studio and new classes in the 3D Department, Berkshire Art Center’s 2D studio, located on the first level of Citizens’ Hall, will have opportunities for Open Studio in painting and drawing for $15 three hour sessions per person. In this space, students and practicing artists will be able to create in community, work independently on projects, and utilize equipment including easels, still life materials, a paper cutter, light box, and more.
Pre-registration is required for all participants who wish to attend Open Studio at Berkshire Art Center’s Stockbridge location and participants must be 14 years of age or older with experience. For more information about Berkshire Art Center’s studio spaces and Open Studio offerings, please visit www.berkshireartcenter.org/studios.