BECKET, Mass. — A coalition of local organizations, including the Becket Arts Center, Q-MoB, and the Berkshire Queer History Project, announced the 2nd Annual Berkshire LGBTQ+ Pride Art Exhibit. 

 

The exhibition, which celebrates local LGBTQ+ artists, will be held at the Becket Arts Center from June 11 through July 5, 2026.

 

Organizers have issued a formal call for art, with a submission deadline of March 29, 2026. The exhibit is open to artists residing in Berkshire County and its seven neighboring counties: Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden in Massachusetts; Bennington, Vermont; Litchfield, Connecticut; and Columbia and Rensselaer in New York. Participating artists will receive 75 percent of the proceeds from any works sold during the event.

 

In addition to the exhibition, the coalition has formed the Berkshire Queer Artists Collective. The group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, with a video chat option available. The collective's mission is to promote local performances and exhibits while fostering mentorship and collaboration among queer artists and their supporters.

 

The initiative comes as a response to what organizers describe as escalating efforts to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The organizers noted the long-standing impact of LGBTQ+ individuals on the Berkshire creative economy, citing historical figures such as Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland alongside contemporary local residents.

 

The exhibit is funded in part by grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's ART Fund and Central Berkshire Fund. The coalition is also seeking tax-deductible public donations to support the remaining costs of the program.

 

Detailed submission guidelines and information regarding the collective can be found on the Becket Arts Center website.