Berkshire Museum Opens 'Art of the Hills'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Museum presents Art of the Hills 2024, a juried exhibition featuring regional artists working in all mediums and styles
 
Berkshire Museum celebrates the fourth installment of its bi-annual exhibition Art of the Hills. Opening oct. 5 through Jan. 5, this exhibit offers a look into Berkshire-area working artists through various mediums, expressions, and styles. 
 
An opening reception, free to the public, will be held at the museum on Oct. 5 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. 
 
Art of the Hills first debuted at Berkshire Museum as a bi-annual exhibit in 2018 and continues to celebrate the artistic and creative culture of the region through both emerging and established artists working or living within 60 miles of the museum's location in downtown Pittsfield. Over the years this locally focused exhibit has featured the works of well-known artists Julia Dixon, Ralph Frisina, Patricia Hogan, Dan Mead, and Sally Eagle.
 
Works included in Art of the Hills 2024 were selected by jurors Jesse Kowalski and Kentaro Tomio. The exhibit will feature 41 works by 33 artists drawn from over 1,200 submitted works. Kowalski joined the Berkshire Museum as Chief Curator in 2023 after serving as Curator of Exhibitions at the Norman Rockwell Museum, and Director of Exhibitions at the Andy Warhol Museum. Tomio is a retired museum curator who has organized over one hundred exhibitions drawn from collections ranging from old masters, Asian, American, and Mexican folk art, to works by contemporary artists.
 
"The overwhelming response from over 460 regional artists to the Berkshire Museum's call for art speaks to the vibrancy of the Berkshire County artist community, and reinforces the museum's commitment to showcasing these local artists," said William Dore, Exhibitions Manager at the Berkshire Museum. "We are excited to welcome these talented artists 'home' - many have found inspiration in our galleries - to share their latest works in Art of the Hills 2024."
 
Art of the Hills 2024 includes works by the following artists:
 
Adrian Holmes
Antony Zito
Ashley Hyatt
Bart Elsbach
Brian Batista
David Reichard
Deborah Bayly
Deborah H. Carter
Elano Dallmeyer
Elizabeth Buttler
Gabe Kolodner
Gay Malin
James George Windram
Jane Bloodgood-Abrams
Jay Swift
Jeff A. Menges
Jennifer Maher Coleman
Jeremiah Bickford
John Tenney
Jonathan Nix
Marla Greenfield
Mary Claire Hogan
Katarina Spitzer
Michell Rathay
Patricia Weise
Ron Warren
Ronald Piazza
Ruth Sanderson
Skip Marsh
Stephen Earp
Susan W. Bues
Thaddeus B. Kubis
William Bracken
 

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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