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About the Guild

Statement

The Guild of Berkshire Artists (GBA) is a vital, active, nonprofit visual arts organization that supports and promotes

its members through education, exhibits and community events while contributing to the cultural life of the Berkshires.

History

The establishment of the Guild of Berkshire Artists (formerly the Richmond/West Stockbridge Artists Guild, Inc.), a Massachusetts Non-Profit Corporation, grew out of the successful, inaugural Fine Art Show held in September 2014 at The Richmond Congregational Church. That show organized by Helen Febbo drew more than 30 exhibiting artists from the area and hundreds of attendees. Helen and Howard Greenhalgh, our first president, organized regular plein air and live model painting and sketching programs that first fall.  Since then artists have been gathering to enjoy creating and sharing art.

The Board

Our annual meeting is the first Wednesday in May. Our board holds monthly meetings.

Amy Pressman - President

Carolyn Abrams - Vice President

Lori Bradley - Secretary

Keith Emerling - Treasurer

Margie Skaggs - Previous President

Karen Carmean - Past President

Adrian Holmes - Founding Member

David Hagerty - Board

In The News/Press

For information about the Guild and its members that has been "In The News" or published online go to the "Press" section of the website.

Membership — Join or Renew

Members work in a wide range of visual media: paintings, sculpture, photography, film, pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, stained glass, mixed-media, multimedia and other art forms approved by the membership. We encourage use of free/low cost tools in our organization and promote sustainability. We do not discriminate against protected classes.

Activities

Join us! We lead seminars, critiques, Plein Air Creating Art Outdoors, Meet the Artist, live models, exhibits and demonstrations and other educational activities.
We offer the public and members free of charge:

  • Meet the Artist: one to three talks per month in painting, photography, ceramics, etc.

  • Demonstrations of an art technique: Watercolor, Glazing Pottery, Sketching

  • Seminars: 100 Years of Collage/Mixed Media, How to Take Better Photos with your iPhone, How to Use Instagram, How to use Facebook so you get what YOU want, Painting on the iPad

  • Newsletter once or twice a month on Visual Art Events. Sign up here

  • Information on Visual Arts through our webpage and on Instagram and Facebook Pages titled: Art in the Berkshires, Berkshire Art Openings, Berkshire Call for Art, Guild, Berkshires Plein Air, Berkshire Art Book Gathering, Guild of Berkshire Artists Members

 

We offer members activities such as workshops, guest speakers, studio tours, discussions, critiques, films & DVDs which are proposed, led and designed by members. The first event is always free of charge so you can try us out!

  • Plein Air painting and drawing sessions in good weather at Hancock Shaker Village, The Mount, Naumkeag, Berkshire Botanical Garden, Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Richmond Land Trust areas, and painting, sketching and photography visits to West Stockbridge, Richmond, Lenox, Alford, Tyringham and Stockbridge following regulations

  • Live Model sessions regularly

  • Positive Critique sessions monthly

  • Mixed Media/Collage workshops monthly

  • Photo editing workshops with Snapseed weekly

  • Potlucks for members and their partners monthly

  • Art Book Gatherings monthly

  • Exhibits and shows including on-line shows

  • Trips to museums, galleries and special events

  • Organize donation or art supplies in local schools

  • How to plan new events and programs

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