Berkshire Art Center Artful Pause Workshops

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) invites the community to the Artful Pause—a new series of short, creative workshops launching this spring and continuing through summer 2026.
 
These accessible programs offer creative experiences in just a few hours. Participants can paint, collage, explore photography, or get their hands in clay. The workshops are open to individuals and families. Dogs are able to attend some workshops.
 
The series begins this spring at BAC at Wander in Pittsfield, a welcoming café and community space. Held on the second Saturday of each month, these two-hour sessions invite participants to sketch, experiment with watercolor, and explore visual journaling—no long-term commitment required. 
 
The May 9 workshop will be Botanical Watercolor Resist, led by Faculty Artist Johanna Merfeld and the June 13 workshop will be Visual Journaling, led by Faculty Artist Kaily Ritz.
 
Outdoor enthusiasts can join Faculty Artist Thad Kubis for photography workshops at scenic Berkshire locations, including Spring Photo Refresh at Benedict Pond, The Art of the Dog Walk at Kennedy Park (dogs welcome), and Into the Woods: A Mindful Photo Journey at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
 
Additional June workshops at Citizens' Hall include Joyful Collaborative Collage with Kim Waterman; Improvisational Painting Laboratory with Regan Halas; and Intro to Gel Plate Printmaking with Jody King Camarra.
 
The series continues at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, where participants can engage with the landscape through Discovering the Landscape through Pastel with Jim Schantz and Watercolor Plein Air with Jill McLean.
 
Families can also take part in multigenerational offerings, including Creative Calm: Family Breathing Board Workshop with Kaily Ritz and a Botanical Weaving (Multigenerational) Workshop at Chesterwood, where participants create nature-based weavings using foraged materials.
 
In July, BAC will host a special Member Appreciation Night: Family + Dog Art Play at The Drifting Studio, led by Executive Director and Faculty Artist Laura Thompson.
 
For more information and to register, visit berkshireartcenter.org/artful-pause
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Units Available at Lee's New Eagle Mill Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

It's took more than a decade to bring the Eagle Lofts to fruition in the former Eagle mill. 

LEE, Mass. — Hearthway wants community members to know there are three-bedroom units available at The Lofts at Eagle Mill with little to no waitlist. 

The apartments at 73 West Center St. recently came online in the historic building on the banks of the Housatonic River after more than a decade of work. The first tenants began moving in last week. 

Three-bedroom units are less than $2,000 per month for those who meet income requirements. 

"These units are $1,855 a month with hot water included. To qualify, applicants must be under the 60 percent AMI income limit by household size and be able to afford the rent," the affordable housing provider wrote in a communication on Monday. 

"Mobile vouchers are welcomed."

A ribbon was cut at the former paper mill over the summer for 56 one- to three-bedroom, mixed-income units in the heart of downtown. 

According to a chart provided by Hearthway, 60 percent area median income is $55,320 per year for a one person household, $63,240 a year for a two-person household, $71,160 a year for a three-person household, and $79,020 a year for a four-person household. 

Applications are available in English and Spanish. They can submitted via email to leasing@hearthway.org, drop off to the main office at 1 Fenn St in Pittsfield, fax to 413-403-2710, or USPS mail to P.O. Box 1180, Pittsfield, MA 01202-1180. 

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