STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) will host its 2026 Gala on May 16 from 6–9 PM at Ventfort Hall in Lenox. 

 

The event will bring together artists, educators, students, collectors, and art enthusiasts from across the Berkshires to celebrate creativity, community, and the joy of making art.

 

Proceeds will fund the expansion of BAC's ceramics studio, youth art camps and after-school classes, and a wide range of studio programs and community engagement efforts serving children and adults throughout the region.

 

Set within the Gilded Age mansion and gardens of Ventfort Hall—a historic contemporary of BAC's own Citizens' Hall in Stockbridge—the Gala theme, "Creativity as a Radical Act of Love", invites guests to embrace creativity as an expression of our love for life and for one another.

 

After a one-year pause, BAC has reimagined its annual gala as one that reflects the organization's evolving mission and the growing need for accessible creative spaces. At a time when many individuals and families are navigating stress, disconnection, and barriers to participation, this gathering affirms creativity as essential.

 

"Creativity is life affirming, and sharing what we create with others is an act of true love and openness," said BAC Executive Director Dr. Laura Dickstein Thompson. "As a teaching art and cultural center, our message to students and the wider community is, ‘Your perspective matters. Your creative expression has value.' BAC believes such encouragement is deeply loving and socially transformative."

 

A highlight will be a display of parade puppets created by students during BAC's April Break Camp with award-winning puppet maker Eric "Homeslice" Weiss of Homeslice Puppetry. Inspired by global traditions of parade puppetry, from Lunar New Year dragon processions to iconic American celebrations, students worked collaboratively to design and construct these expressive "marching giants," reflecting both imagination and teamwork.

 

The project culminated in a performance for families on BAC's lawn, with the puppets now preserved for their next appearance in Pittsfield's annual 4th of July Parade.

 

Many of the participating young artists were able to attend camp through scholarships and transportation reimbursements made possible by generous donors and support from the Mass Cultural Council.