Sandisfield Arts Center Announce 2026 Daniel Manacher Prize Winners

SANDISFIELD, Mass. — The Sandisfield Arts Center has announced the winners of the 2026 Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists.

The work of the 2026 winners, alongside the 2025 prize recipients, will be featured in a biennial exhibition at the arts center from August 16 -30, 2026.

The annual prize was established by Adam Manacher and Carol Birnbaum in memory of their son, Daniel Manacher, to honor his passion for art and his love of interacting with others through creativity.

?     Mari Maeve Brennan, from Sandisfield, a 2026 graduate of the Monument Mountain Regional High 

?     Tamar Byl, from Montague, MA, a recent graduate of Williams College

?     Moira Ford, from New York, enrolled at Williams College.

?     Katie Maier, from Atlanta, moved to the Berkshires in 2022

2025 Winners:

The 2025 contest was judged by Josephine Halvorson, an accomplished artist and Chair of the MFA Program in Painting at Boston University's College of Fine Arts. Josephine maintains a studio in Sandisfield.

?     Elizabeth Cheng, currently enrolled at Williams College

?     Enaya A. Ogletree, recent graduate of MCLA

?     Annie Scott, Williams College graduate

?     Evelyn Vollmer, recent graduate of Mount Everett Regional High School 

?     Opening Reception: Sunday, August 16, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

?     Exhibition Dates: August 16 – August 30, 2026

?     Location: Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255

Units Available at Lee's New Eagle Mill Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:57PM / Tuesday, October 27, 2026

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.