Reimagine Dunham Mall Calls for Public Art

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Organizers of Reimagine Dunham Mall announced two calls for public art and a project update on Spring 2025 installations to support the use and beautification of Dunham Mall.
 
Reimagine Dunham Mall aims to support area business, recreation, pedestrian networks, and parking accessibility for residents and visitors of downtown Pittsfield.
 
In the Spring of 2025, Pittsfield residents can expect to see a new public art piece installed in Dunham Mall as part of the first of two installation phases. Also, as part of phase one, 8 large planters with Heritage Birch trees will be installed to provide shade and natural habitats, as well as smaller planters with annuals, bistro seating, bollards (to enhance safety of the pedestrian area), and wayfinding elements like a kiosk and Pittsfield branded banners.
 
Two calls for art are open now for projects to be installed on Dunham Mall. The calls for art close on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11:59 PM.
 
The first is for a Digital Map of Downtown. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a digital map of downtown Pittsfield that will be centralized in Dunham Mall and reproduced for use throughout downtown. Map boundaries will be the Colonial Theatre and Carr Hardware (South/North) and two blocks out in the East/West directions. Final map dimensions (delivered digitally) should be 36"x 24" with standard bleed. The budget for design is $2,000. Artists must have their own technology to produce the image. The chosen artist will be recognized by name in all reproductions of the work, but Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will own the rights to the final image. View the application here: https://forms.gle/ttTY8T8TJ46MhKtSA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final map must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The second call for art is for a large mountable mosaic for Dunham Mall. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a large mosaic that will be installed in Dunham Mall. The piece will be mounted on a brick wall and should have dimensions of 10' wide by 8' high. The budget for art is $3,000 with an additional $500 stipend for materials. Artists must have their own tools to produce the mosaic. View the application here: https://forms.gle/oHL7DeNrV1aNoxESA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final mosaic must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. Designs must be family friendly, and the theme of the work should reference the natural beauty of the Berkshires. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The project timeline for both calls for art is as follows:
  • Sunday, February 2: Artist call closes
  • Friday, February 7: Artist selected
  • Friday, February 28: Initial design sketch due
  • Monday, March 31: Design finalized and delivered
  • TBD: Dates of installation
Reimagine Dunham Mall was made possible by community contributions from residents, friends at Pittsfield Beautiful, and a Commonwealth Places grant. The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA), The City of Pittsfield, MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Pittsfield Community Design Center are spearheading this project.
 
For more information, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

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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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