First Fridays Artswalk, established in May 2012, provides opportunities for local artists to showcase and sell their work, and for our community to view diverse, original art and speak with professional artists about their artistic process.

During the “Artswalk” on the first Friday of the month, 5 to 8 pm, venues host opening receptions with their artists and invite the public to come in (sometimes after hours) to view their current art exhibit and meet the artist(s) behind it.

First Fridays Artswalk also features Art in the Park, Open Studios, and Community Art Making. Art in the Park features live art-making by emerging artists in Palace Park, providing opportunities to new artists that will help them grow their network, visibility, and experience.

There is a free virtual walking tour of art and events available May through September on the Downtown Pittsfield App (available for free in the App Store & Google Play).

Venues participating in First Fridays Artswalk include Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC), Clock Tower Artists, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marketplace Cafe, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, NUarts Gallery & Studios, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, and the Unitarian Universalist Church.

First Fridays Artswalk has featured shows by organizations including Katunemo Art & Healing, Community Access to the Arts, Living in Recovery, Berkshire Art Association, the Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership, and the Pittsfield Public Schools.

FFA is free to participate in (as an artist, venue, or event) and is free to attend. Art in the Park artists will be paid. Berkshire Medical Center donates the printing of flyers monthly, and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. provides some in-kind support for organization and promotion.

First Fridays Artswalk at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. Photo by Zack Morris.

Live painting demonstration as part of Art in the Park with Mollie Kellogg.

First Fridays Artswalk Open Studios at the Clock Tower Artists. Studio of Ilene Richard. Photo by Zack Morris.

First Fridays Artswalk

A free, public program that connects businesses, galleries, artists, and the community to create an “Artswalk” on the first Friday of the month, May through September.