For Immediate Release: May 7, 2013
High-resolution images available.
Media Contact:
Judy Eddy, Media Relations, , 413-652-5387
Richard Rothbard, Artistic Director and Owner, American Art Marketing, , 845-355-2400
12th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival Presents
200+ Exhibitors for Two Weekends in July:
July 4-6 and July 12-14
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. – The 12th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival will once again grace the lawns and air-conditioned pavilions of Ski Butternut in Great Barrington for two weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14. The much-anticipated annual Festival will offer fine arts and crafts to a diverse audience along with ongoing art and craft workshops, demonstrations, talks, activities for children, a dining tent, and live musical and theatrical performances throughout both weekends. More than 8,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s Festival.
Exclusive to the second weekend will be the new “Artists of the Berkshires” exhibition, growing the Festival’s impressive roster and enabling thousands of Berkshires visitors access to local artists and their current work.
The green and spacious grounds of Ski Butternut will provide the scenic backdrop for over 200 unique exhibitors displaying an extraordinary selection of handmade works in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, furniture, wood, metal, mixed media, sculpture, wearable and decorative fiber, and photography. The Festival serves as a destination for both casual weekend shoppers and sophisticated art collectors, offering a great variety of creative works together with the simple pleasures of a day spent out-of-doors at this family-friendly event.
Berkshires Arts Festival is organized and curated by Richard and Joanna Rothbard, Artistic Directors of American Art Marketing of Slate Hill, NY, and 30-year veterans of the art world. Together, they own An American Craftsman galleries in both New York City and Savannah, GA. Richard Rothbard is an acclaimed master woodworker himself, and the originator of a unique style of intricately carved, wooden boxes.
“This Festival represents the best of established and emerging artists from across the country and from the Berkshires,” says Rothbard. “There is something for everyone in every price range – from the latest in fashion and jewelry design, handcrafted furniture and ceramics to the most exquisite and highly collectable original works of art. We personally select our exhibitors with care and with an eye for excellence in design and craftsmanship. And, of course, we’re always excited to be back in the Berkshires.”
The Festival will feature ongoing art and crafts demonstrations throughout, including raku pottery firing demonstrations with Richard Foye
The Festival Dining Tent will offer a variety of foods for every taste. Live music, theater performances and children’s activities will enhance both Festival weekends.
Featured Artists
THERESA D’ALESSANDRO
“Vibrant Color Art” is truly the perfect name for Theresa D’Alessandro’s art, as it is vibrant with color, with energy, and with story, and with startling – and startled - people. She fills the canvas edge-to-edge with many-windowed buildings bright with color and life. Her flowers do not rest sedately in their vases, but burst forth from their vessels to shout, “Flowers!” A woman waiting at the bus stop dressed in a polka-dot dress and festive hat appears not to be on her way to work or shopping, but jaunting off to Mardi Gras, while a verdant tree looms overhead and the buildings are pink, purple and orange. Nothing fades into the background, as there is no clear distinction between background and foreground – it all bursts forth off the canvas, sweet eye candy for the color-parched. Theresa’s “hairy” and footed furniture and lamp creations with beautiful, patterned surfaces are beyond words and simply must be seen. Theresa D’Alessandro, Vibrant Color Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Visit the artist’s website at
RICHARD FOYE – In the tradition of Paul Soldner, Potter Richard Foye combines two ancient arts - the “raku” method of firing dating to 16th century Japan and 12thcentury Persian glaze recipes - to glaze classic-shaped pots in coppers, silver, gold and bismuth. Richard employs straw, pine cones, moose dung and pine shavings to create dreamy, lustrous worlds of variously bright and smoky hues on the surface of his pots. Richard personally translates the Japanese word "raku" to express “a hopeful expectation of an unknown and delightful outcome from my humble exertions.” His humility is all the more honorable in light of the exquisite, elemental magic he works with fire and smoke. Richard Foye will exhibit and demonstrate his unique firing technique through both Festival weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14, 2013. Richard Foye, River Rock Artists, South Newfane, VT. Visit the artist’s website at Hi-res images available.
WOODROW NASH – The sculpture of Woodrow Nash is beautiful, arresting, meaningful and astonishing, clearly reflecting his deeply felt desire as an artist to “elevate the human spirit.” Working in the tradition of the great masters - and with comparable skill - Nash creates ceramic sculptures that merge 15th Century Benin and 18th Century French Nouveau styles, creating what he has coined "African Nouveau". The impact of his phenomenal sculptures is best described by the artist himself: “Inside these bold bodies dwell the spirits of African kings, queens, warriors and kinsmen.” Woodrow Nash will exhibit at the Berkshires Arts Festival both weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14, 2013. Woodrow Nash, The Rage Gallery, Akron, Ohio. Visit the artist’s website at
Featured Berkshires Artists
DAVID BRYCE –David Bryce draws with clay to create narrative, incised panels that capture emotional moments in time with a surprising economy of calligraphic strokes. His “sculptures in the round” focus more on costumes and storytelling than representation of strict anatomy, and offer grounded, solid figures engaged in “moments in time” that are both mysterious and wonderful, playful and serene. David Bryce will exhibit at the Berkshires Arts Festival both weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14, 2013. David Bryce, Fly Creek Studios, North Egremont, MA. Visit the artist’s website at
STEPHEN DONALDSON – To the envy of armchair adventurers-with-camera the world over, Stephen Donaldson put all his eggs (or lenses) in one suitcase in the mid-1990’s and decided to travel the world with camera in hand and documented the 100,000-mile, 42-country journey with film. The resulting work launched Stephen’s awe-inspiring career as one of the most talented and accomplished photographers in the world. His photographs reveal a deep level of skill that it begs the question nature or nurture – was he born with the photographer’s eye, or did he train himself over the course of all those miles and all that film? Probably both. Stephen’s photography is far-ranging through all genres and media, and he lectures widely on many subjects. Stephen continues to travel to remote areas of the world to shoot stock and high quality editorial images of the world's exotic far reaches – but during July, he’ll be in his beloved Berkshires. Stephen Donaldson will exhibit at the Berkshires Arts Festival both weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14, 2013. Stephen G. Donaldson Photography, Great Barrington, MA. Visit the artist’s website at
JANET MCKINSTRY – Janet McKinstry is a multitalented artist who creates fiber arts, puppets and puppet shows. She has also written an illustrated children’s book, “Rosie & Friends: Unleashed in Berkshire County.” Janet’s fiber creations are one-of-a-kind works of art using the finest textured and colorful upholstery and unique findings to make collectable bags, hats and blankets. Janet’s work reflects unique influences rooted in her education at The Fashion Institute of Technology and her Master’s of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Janet McKinstry will exhibit at the Berkshires Arts Festival throughout the weekend of July 4-6, 2013. Janet McKinstry Designs, Great Barrington, MA. Visit the artist’s website at
Featured Performers and Activities
THE LUCKY FIVE - The Lucky Five is a hard-swinging, old-school jazz quintet, featuring musicians from a handful of popular outfits between New York City and the Berkshires. The band brings verve, high energy, and an unpredictable impulse to the tradition of jazz from the 20's, 30's and 40's, grooving deeply, and keeping feet moving on the dance floor. The Lucky Five is composed of Kip Beacco on guitar, clarinet, and vocals, Matt Downing on bass and vocals, Pete Adams on pedal steel and vocals, and Jonathan Talbott and Lukas Schwartz on twin fiddles.
RYAN HOLLANDER – Ryan Hollander is a solo acoustic guitarist playing vibrant and passionate folk and blues music. Ryan is a skilled guitarist with a great voice and a varied, multi-genre repertoire that will appeal to all generations. Ryan will perform Saturday, July 6th from 12 noon to 2 p.m.; Friday, July 12th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, July 14th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Allotta Hoopla – Hooping is not just for kids. Allotta Hoopla takes an ancient practice and brings it into the modern world to “inspire people to connect with the spiraling rhythms within…” The show entertains while educating people about the use of hoops as tools to sculpt the body, toys to enliven the spirit, and instruments for presence of mind. Based in Greenfield, Mass., Allotta Hoopla delights the crowds at the Berkshires Arts Festival with unparalleled entertainment and educational shows.
IF YOU’RE GOING:
Event:Berkshires Arts Festival, Two Weekends in July
When:July 4-6, 2013 and July 12-14, 2013
Hours:ThursdayJuly 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday July 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday July 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday July 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday July 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors, $5 for Students, and $13 for a 3-day Festival Weekend Pass.Children under 10 are free. Tickets are available at the Festival gates.
Parking:Free parking is available at the Festival.
Location: Ski Butternut, 380 State Road/Route 23, Great Barrington, MA 01230
For more information, call 845-355-2400 or visit us online at
Calendar Listings:
12th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival, July 4, 5, 6 at Ski Butternut, Rt. 23, Great Barrington, Mass. Juried show of 200 artists and artisans with works for sale in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, wood, mixed media, sculpture, fashion, and photography. Festival features musical performances, food, workshops, demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Hours: Thurs., July 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri., July 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat., July 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $12 adults; $10 seniors; $5 students; and free for kids under 10. A weekend pass for the three-day festival is available for $13. Free parking. 845-355-2400.
12th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival, July 12, 13, 14 at Ski Butternut, Rt. 23, Great Barrington, Mass. Juried show of 200 artists and artisans with works for sale in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, wood, mixed media, sculpture, fashion, and photography. Festival features musical performances, food, workshops, demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Hours: Fri., July 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat., July 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun., July 14, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $12 adults; $10 seniors; $5 students; and free for kids under 10. A weekend pass for the three-day festival is available for $13. Free parking. 845-355-2400.
About American Art Marketing
Richard and Joanna Rothbard of American Art Marketing are matchmakers for artists and collectors. For 30+ years they have designed the venues and offered options that bring together, in both city and country settings, the talented and the creative with enthusiasts and admirers. The Rothbards’ impeccable instinct for identifying the finest art and crafts makes each visit to their trademark fairs and shows a rewarding experience. Upcoming events in 2013 include the Berkshires Arts Festivals in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in July, the Contemporary Art Fair NYC and American Fine Craft Show NYC at the Javits Center North in October, and the Sarasota Craft Show at Robarts Arena in Sarasota, Florida in December.
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