SPARK! Archive

SPARK! @ THE CLARK

SPARK! @ THE CLARK

Bad weather could not stop our Berkshire Creatives’ SPARK!

After a brief postponement due to a late winter snow storm, Berkshire Creatives from across the county  came together to SPARK! @ The Clark!

Click here to visit our Facebook page and see more pictures! See someone you know or yourself in our facebook pictures? Don’t forget to tag, tag, tag!

SPARK! Attendees, We want your feedback!

Please take a minute to fill out this short survey about the event. Tell us what you liked, what we could do better, and most importantly let us know if you made any connections. Thank you for helping us serve the Berkshire Creative Community better!

See you at the next SPARK!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO:

SPARK! Lead Sponsor:

Greylock Federal Credit Union

SPARK! Host:

The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

SPARK! Featured Businesses:

DEVRIES FINE ART INTERNATIONAL, INC.

BERKSHIRECOUPON.COM

THE BERKSHIRE REVIEW FOR THE ARTS

BRILLIANT GRAPHICS GROUP

SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY

TAYLOR’S AND FREIGHT YARD PUB

Would you like to be a featured business at a future SPARK!? Please email info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Hey Berkshire County, You’re SPARKLING!

Hey Berkshire County, You’re SPARKLING!

Last Thursday, creatives from across the county converged on the Seven Hills Inn for food, drink and a good old creative holiday hoorah!

Click here to see more party pics on ruralintelligence.com!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO EVENT CHAIR, ALLISON CRANE,  ALL THE SPARKLE! ATTENDEES, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS, AND DONATING BUSINESSES THAT MADE THE EVENT SUCH AN OUTSTANDING NIGHT!

SPONSORS

Berkshire Living

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SPARK the holidays with savings! Use your Greylock VISA card from November 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010 and pay only 4.99% APR until those balances are paid in full. Valid for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers and letter checks.

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SPARKLE! SUPPORTERS

PRINTING AND DESIGN SUPPORT!

excelsiorstudiotwo

Click to Learn More About Excelsior Printing!

Click to Learn More About Studio Two!

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SPARKLE! HOST

7hillsinn

Click here to learn more about the Seven Hills Inn!

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FOR PROVIDING DELECTABLE EATS AND DELICIOUS TREATS!

BRIXHAVEN

Click to Learn More About Brix!

Click to Learn More About Haven!

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FOR PROVIDING THE NIGHT’S MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

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Evan Randall and Heather Fisch!

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AND TO ALL OUR DONATING BUSINESSES…..

Alchemy Initiative

Allison Crane

ALJ Designs

The Art of Wellness Massage Therapy

Barrington Stage Company

Benchmark Real Estate

Berkshire International Film Festival

Berkshire Mountain Distillers

Berkshire Organics

Berkshire Museum

Bisque, Beads & Beyond*

Blantyre

Blueline Design

Blue Q

Bola Granola

Castle Street Cafe

Chocolate Springs Cafe

The Clark

The Colonial Theatre

Crane & Co.

Daniel Bellow Pottery*

DreamAway Lodge

FaceHaven

Stephanie Gravalese-Wood, Atomswork*

Hancock Shaker Village

Hotchkiss Mobiles

Inn at Richmond

Stephanie Iverson

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Kinesphere Studio

Donna Kittredge

Eric Korenman, Photographer

Kripalu

Laurie Coyle Designs*

Limited Editions by Dawn*

Lisa Anderson Jewelry

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

MCLA Presents!

Michele O’Hana, Ha’ Penny Design

Michael Wainwright

Minc House

Museum Facsimiles

Norman Rockwell Museum

Novel Idea Book Purse*

MASS MoCA

Michele O’Hana, Ha’ Penny Design

Museum Facsimiles

Olive Designs

Peter Alvarez Salon

The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA

The Puddle People Design Studio*

Scott Olsen, The Puzzle Guy*

River Hill Pottery

Selina Lamb, Ltd., LLC

Seven Hills Inn

Shakespeare & Company

Evan Soldinger and Linda Kaye-Moses

Tanglewood Business Partners

Topia Inn

“what if i just…”

BerkshireMade Member*

It’s time to SPARKLE!

It’s time to SPARKLE!

sparklefinIt’s time to come together again to SPARKLE! with creative economy holiday cheer!

Thursday, December 3, 2009
Seven Hills Inn
40 Plunkett Street, Lenox (map)
6:30PM – 8:30PM
$25 admission ($15 for Friends of Berkshire Creative)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

Berkshire Creative’s Holiday SPARK! Event

Berkshire Creative invites you to come, enjoy delectable eats from Brix and Haven, musical entertainment of Evan Randall and Heather Fisch, and items from some of the Berkshire’s best creative economy businesses in our silent and chance auctions!

Interested in being a SPARKLE! volunteer?
Contact Helena Fruscio at info@berkshirecreative.org or 413.822.8324!

Click here for images from last years SPARKLE!

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Event Sponsored By:

Berkshire Living

spark-dec-09

SPARK the holidays with savings! Use your Greylock VISA card from November 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010 and pay only 4.99% APR until those balances are paid in full. Valid for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers and letter checks.

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Food provided by:

BRIXHAVEN

Click to Learn More About Brix!

Click to Learn More About Haven!

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Live Music Provided by Guitar and accordion stylings from two of the Berkshire’s most irresistable musical gems Evan Randall and Heather Fisch!

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The Musical Collision of Old Timey Tunes and Old World Spirit!

Click here for more information!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO SPARKLE! HOST, SEVEN HILLS INN

7hillsinn

Click here to learn more about the Seven Hills Inn!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO EXCELSIOR PRINTING AND STUDIO TWO FOR THEIR PRINTING AND DESIGN SUPPORT!excelsiorstudiotwoClick to Learn More About Excelsior Printing!

Click to Learn More About Studio Two!

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Add SPARKLE to Your Holiday!

We look forward to spending the holidays with you and our local creatives!

Attend SPARKLE! and automatically Become a Friend of Berkshire Creative!

SPARK! @ The Colonial

SPARK! @ The Colonial

Earlier this week, Berkshire Creatives from across the county SPARK!ed new connections at Berkshire Creative’s SPARK! Networking for Berkshire Creatives @ The Colonial Theatre!

Click here to visit our Facebook page and see more pictures! See someone you know or yourself in our facebook pictures? Don’t forget to tag, tag, tag!

SPARK! Attendees, We want your feedback!

Please take a minute to fill out this short survey about the event. Tell us what you liked, what we could do better, and most importantly let us know if you made any connections. Thank you for helping us serve the Berkshire Creative Community better!

See you at the next SPARK!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO:

SPARK! Lead Sponsor:

Greylock Federal Credit Union

SPARK! Host:

The Colonial Theatre

SPARK! Featured Businesses:

APPA Digital

Berkshire Film and Media Commission

Richard Fabozzi

Minc House

Massachusetts Poetry Festival

Winthrop Estate and The Lenox Athenaeum

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Interested in being a Featured Business at the June SPARK! event? Click here to contact Berkshire Creative and learn more!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

SPARK! @ The Colonial September 15, 2009

SPARK! @ The Colonial September 15, 2009

JOIN YOUR CREATIVE ECONOMY COLLEAGUES AT SPARK!

NETWORKING EVENT FOR BERKSHIRE CREATIVES!

Come and meet your creative economy colleagues! If words like art, culture, design, innovation, and technology are part of your vocabulary chances are you are part of the region’s growing creative economy. Whether you work in industry or the arts, Berkshire Creative invites you to come out to mix and mingle at our signature event!

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1_r1The Colonial Theatre

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Click here for a map!

Please RSVP by NOON on Friday, September 11, 2009 to info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

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ABOUT The Colonial Theatre:

Located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts the Colonial Theatre is a Gilded Age architectural gem brought back to life as a performing arts center in the “heart of the Berkshires.”

Kept safe behind the temporary wall and ceiling partitions of a retail store for more than 50 years, the ornately appointed and now fully restored Colonial emerged in August, 2006 as a cultural and economic development force in the Berkshires.

Click here to visit their website and learn more!

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“Our Creative Berkshires”

As usual, all attendees are invited to bring business cards and brochures to leave on a table showcasing “Our Creative Berkshires.”

Let’s talk across industry, talk across sector, talk across town!

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mobile-banking-SPARK-web-buttonA SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSOR GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Greylock Federal Credit Union sparks the convenience of banking with Mobile Banking. Greylock is always as close as your web-enabled cell phone, Blackberry® or PDA. Wherever life takes you… Greylock is there! Click here for details!

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SNEAK PEEK OF SPARK! FEATURED BUSINESSES

Check out the Berkshire Creative Economy businesses that will be featured at the upcoming Tuesday, September 15th SPARK! at The Colonial Theatre

berkshirefilm-logoBERKSHIRE FILM AND MEDIA COMMISSION

The Berkshire Film and Media Commission (BFMC) promotes and facilitate filmmaking and new media opportunities in the Berkshire County, western Massachusetts region. By aggregating and marketing area resources, locations and talent, BFMC will work to:

* attract film, television and new media productions;
* maintain an online production guide and locations library;
* network local industry professionals;
* develop film-related educational programs.

The Berkshire Film and Media Commission serves as an economic and cultural engine for Berkshire County and surrounding areas.

RichardFabozziRICHARD FABOZZI

When Richard was in the seventh grade in Albany, NY, he was in his first musical, won his first public speaking contest and has been singing and speaking ever since. He is a performing artist, national speaker, emcee and author. All of his programs are highly interactive, experiential, creative and fun-filled. Musically, Richard performs at special events, has done dinner theatre programs all over Berkshire County and delivers singing phonegrams and telegrams. He immediately engages his audience and resonates with them. One “Tribute to the Rat Pack” dinner theatre attendee said, “Richard makes his audience members the Stars.”

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MASSACHUSETTS POETRY FESTIVAL

The Berkshire County kick-off event for the festival will take place on Thursday Oct. 14th and will feature a panel of local literary publishers: Jeffrey Levine, Tupelo Press; Barry Sternlieb, Mad River Press; Vivian Dorsel, Upstreet, Ledgetop Publishing; and Orion Magazine, Hannah Fries , poetry editor talking about their work and what and why they publish. This will be followed by a reading by poets they have published. The publishers will be at the SPARK event with samples of their publications.

The kick-off event will be at The Mount in Lenox on Thursday, October 15th from 5:30-7pm. There will be a reception and book-signing after the panel discussion and readings.

minchouseMINC HOUSE

Minc House is a small design studio located in the heart of the Berkshires, Pittsfield, MA. Our studio focuses on three separate categories of design: textile, clothing, and graphic. We are devoted to providing unique textile and casual clothing products through highly artistic processes such as silk screening, block printing, stenciling, dyeing techniques and hand sewing. Every piece is individual and reflects the craft and care put into it by our designers and printers. Our graphic services echo this artistic approach through our creative and innovative design solutions.

Winthrop EstateWINTHROP ESTATE AND THE LENOX ATHENAEUM

Located in the heart of Lenox, the Winthrop Estate is a private, elegant estate situated on more than thirty acres in the heart of Lenox. We welcome celebration and relaxation. Host your wedding, party, retreat, or family vacation. Enjoy exclusive use of the 12,000+ square foot mansion that features many unique, charming spaces including large bedrooms with antiques, exquisite moldings, high ceilings, marble fireplaces, and grand entertaining rooms. The estate is also the home of the Lenox Athenaeum, hosting concerts and lectures throughout the year.

Ad for Event 1

APPA DIGITAL

Offering Print Solutions. Large and Small Scale. Digital and Offset Options. Fast Service-Great Prices. Design assistance available.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

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SPARK at Chesterwood!

Despite the rain last Tuesday, sparks flew and connections were made at Berkshire Creative’s SPARK! at Chesterwood!

SPARK! Attendees, We want your feedback!

Please take a minute to fill out this short survey about the event. Tell us what you liked, what we could do better, and most importantly let us know if you made any connections. Thank you for helping us serve the Berkshire Creative Community better!

See you at the next SPARK!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

JOIN US FOR SPARK!

spark logo FIN

NETWORKING EVENT FOR BERKSHIRE CREATIVES!

Come and meet your creative economy colleagues! If words like art, culture, design, innovation, and technology are part of your vocabulary chances are you are part of the region’s growing creative economy. Whether you work in industry or the arts, Berkshire Creative invites you to come out to mix and mingle at our signature event!

JOIN YOUR CREATIVE COLLEAGUES AT THE NEXT SPARK!

cwstudioweb

Chesterwood

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar!

Please RSVP by NOON on Friday, June 26, 2009 to info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

WARNING: Do not use driving directions from online mapping services such as Google Maps which lead to unpaved, poorly marked back roads that are not the best route. Use directions below.

Chesterwood is located off Route 183 in the Glendale section of Stockbridge. At the intersection of routes 102 and 183, take 183 south. One mile south turn right onto Mohawk Lake Rd, and take the first left onto Willow St. which becomes Williamsville Rd. Continue following the Chesterwood signs. The Museum will be on your right.


CHESTERWOOD

Chesterwood is the country home, studio and gardens of Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), American’s foremost monumental sculptor of Abraham Lincoln for the State House in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1912 and later for the Lincoln Memorial in 1922 in Washington, D.C. A new self-guided tour, Discover Lincoln at Chesterwood, will connect visitors to displays in the Barn Gallery and Studio of French’s preliminary models, bronze sculptures and Lincoln-related works used as a reference for his final sculptures completed at Chesterwood, including a plaster cast of his own hands. A full-size bronze reproduction of his Standing Abraham Lincoln statue is located on the grounds.

Click here to visit Chesterwood online and see all that is happening this summer including the annual contemporary sculpture exhibition, IS183 art classes, Lincoln Trail and more!

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OUR CREATIVE BERKSHIRES

As always, attendees are invited to bring business cards and brochures to leave on a table showcasing “Our Creative Berkshires.”

Let’s talk across industry, talk across sector, talk across town!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSORS:

mobile-banking-spark-web-button

Greylock Federal Credit Union sparks the convenience of banking with Mobile Banking. Greylock is always as close as your web-enabled cell phone, Blackberry® or PDA. Wherever life takes you… Greylock is there! Click here for details.

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SNEAK PEEK OF SPARK! FEATURED BUSINESSES

Check out the Berkshire Creative Economy businesses that will be featured at the upcoming Tuesday, June 30th SPARK! at Chesterwood!

mgry_towerviews_bascom_saddleball_s_7pnmBascom Lodge

Bascom Lodge is a rustic stone and wood Lodge atop Mt. Greylock that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s to provide accommodations for hikers, vacationers, and nature enthusiasts. It has private and group rooms available for overnight stay and its large dining room with high ceiling and hand-cut oak beams provides an ideal atmosphere for dining. An enclosed porch with wraparound windows overlooks the finest views in the Berkshires and the stone fireplaces create a relaxing setting after a day of hiking.

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Berkshire Art Kitchen (BAK)

Berkshire Art Kitchen is a mission-based for-profit enterprise committed to providing inspiring opportunities for creativity, connection and change. B.A.K.’s gatherings, potlucks, sales and events boost our local economy while generating income for artists and craftspeople in our own neighborhoods and in villages around the globe to foster a more engaging quality of life for everyone.

image001-128Berkshire Music School

Berkshire Music School is an independent, community supported, nonprofit Music School with the mission to provide quality education in music and musical opportunities to people in the greater Berkshire community regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, age, or ability to pay. There’s a full summer of play time at Berkshire Music School! Songwriting with David Grover; String Camps; Opera Adventures; Nature’s Music for Infants; Flute Choir; Music 1.0; Cabaret Workshops and Summer Samplers. 413.442.1411 to register.

image001-6Carlos Chissione

Chiossone & Co. has moved fulltime to the Berkshires. Carlos, a commercial photographer by profession and a crafter at heart, a Creative Director and main Internet Developer ow brings himself to Great Barrington/Hillsdale. While his wood shop is in Hillsdale, he does most of his meetings from GB. Now he is offering to the Berkshires community a new service of laser cutting. From architectural models, to scrap book embellishments, to fabric appliqués, to short run die-cuts without the die, to signs. Also his custom wooden tiles, custom base boards, and architectural home accents.

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Williams College of Art (WCMA)

One of the finest college art museums in the country, the Williams College Museum of Art houses 13,000 works that span the history of art. Within the broad range of time periods and cultures represented, the collection emphasizes modern and contemporary art, American art from the late 18th century to present, and the art of world cultures. Admission to the museum is always FREE, as are a host of educational programs that are available to the public.

picture-2-1Winstanley Associates

Winstanley Partners is Winstanley Associates, a marketing and creative design firm, and Lenox Softworks, Inc., a software development company offering custom solutions in e-business and educational software to its clients across the U.S. For more information, visit winstanley.com.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!


CREATIVE EVENTS

CREATIVE EVENTS

spark logo FINSPARK! NETWORKING EVENTS

Berkshire Creative’s signature networking event bringing people from all sectors of the Berkshire economy together to spark innovative ideas and collaborations.

Click here to see posts and pictures from past SPARK! events!

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becreativeconferencBC NodateBECREATIVE BARCAMPS

An event model adapted from the technology world, in which the barrier between audience and presenter is reduced and participants share through informal brief presentations the projects, ideas and innovations for which they are passionate.

Click here to see posts and pictures from past BarCamps!

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SPARKETTES

Mini-SPARK! networking event for industry clusters within the creative economy.

FEB: Visual Media, MAR: Culture/Heritage, APR: Visual Arts, MAY: Communications, JUNE: Film /Media, JULY: Entrepreneurs, AUG: Young Professionals, SEPT: Education, OCT: Music/Performing Arts, NOV: Housing Support

Click here for more information!

SPARK! Featured Businesses

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At each SPARK! Berkshire Creative features businesses from the Berkshire Creative Economy.

Here is a sneak peek of the businesses that will be at SPARK! Friday, February 27 at the 62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College!

Please RSVP by NOON on Tuesday, February 24th to info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

Click here for more information on SPARK!

Special Thanks SPARK! Hosts Stalwart Originality, MCLA Presents!, Mass MoCA, and the ‘62 Center!

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image001-29Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network

Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) is a collegial, business-to-business membership organization dedicated to promoting and fostering a vibrant small business environment in the Berkshires. We are a source of business intelligence in the Berkshires and provide professional development opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network!

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picture-3-300x1171Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts

The First Annual Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts boasts more than 60 events—film, exhibits, music, performance, talks and more—at venues throughout the Berkshires. Presented by The Women’s Times, the month-long festival will be held in March 2009.

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts!

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berkshiremade_logoBerkshire Made

BerkshireMade is a cooperative effort by a select group of Berkshire artisans to promote their high quality, locally made creative work. BerkshireMade artisans have established individual reputations for excellence in their mediums of jewelry, woodworking, ceramics, glass, fabric, paper, metal and fine arts. Our goal is to promote a shift in the shopping paradigm, so Berkshire consumers seek to purchase local goods created by local artisans, here in the Berkshires or on the Internet.

Click here to learn more about Berkshire Made!

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Blueline Design

Blueline Design Inc. is an architectural firm providing a full scope of services for residential and commercial projects, while also including landscape and interior design as part of its core discipline. Our primary focus is the adaptive reuse of existing structures.

Click here to learn more about Blueline Design!

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New Amsterdam Apartments

Forty-Three affordable live/work units located in a European-style village setting are almost ready for rental. This complex was built with the creative class in mind, with the colorful exteriors and large bright inside spaces designed by local Designer Bill Calligari and Developer Beth Pearson. The complex is zoned specifically to be live/work spaces for creative endeavors and most importantly they are affordable from $650 to $850 per month.

Click here for information on the New Amsterdam Apartments!

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picture-11The Norman Rockwell Museum

Founded in 1969, Norman Rockwell Museum has grown from a small house museum to a leading national and international destination and an anchor of the Berkshires’ creative economy. This year, the Norman Rockwell Museum celebrates their 40th anniversary as the nation’s preeminent museum of American illustration art, with Rockwell’s collections and guiding spirit at the core. The new Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies is the nation’s first institute devoted to the art of illustration. This summer, the Norman Rockwell Museum will present their 100th exhibition and welcome their five millionth visitor to their Stockbridge campus. Come celebrate with us!

Click here to read the recent New York Times Norman Rockwell Museum article!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSORS:

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SPARK your advertising campaign with creative help from Greylock Marketing Group, a subsidiary of Greylock Federal Credit Union, call 412-236-4129.


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Click to learn more!

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FOOD PROVIDED BY MEZZE CATERING

logoCo-owned by Nancy Thomas and Bo Peabody, Mezze Restaurant Group is committed to the ‘buy local’ mission providing a wide range of fresh, seasonal foods from neighboring family farms, celebrating the bounty of the Berkshires. From one-of-a-kind weddings and museum galas to dinner parties and cocktail receptions, Mezze Catering works with the finest, most reliable vendors in the industry and provides exceptional event planning and design, and flawless execution

For more info, visit www.mezzecatering.com or call 413.458.8745.

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Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!


Sparks flew at SPARK!

Wednesday night, two hundred people from all over (and outside) the county mixed, mingled and made connections at Berkshire Creative’s SPARK!, held at Shakespeare & Co.’s new Production and Performing Arts (PaPA) center.

Were you a SPARK! attendee? We want to hear about your SPARK! experience.

Click here to tell us about your SPARK!

Did you miss this SPARK!? Stay tuned for our upcoming SPARK! this fall!

Check out the pictures on our facebook page!

Special thanks to all of our featured businesses and sponsors!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!