Berkshire Museum Calendar
Exhibitions and Events Through July 15
By: Berkshire Museum - Mar 27, 2012
•CURRENT AND UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Taking Flight: Audubon and the World of Birds Through June 17, 2012
Berkshire Museum’s major exhibition showcases the masterful wildlife art of John James Audubon and explores the fascinating realm of birds, from the tiniest hummingbird to the flightless ostrich. More than thirty original hand-colored, life-size prints of birds from Audubon’s masterwork The Birds of America, paired with bird specimens, comprise the centerpiece of the exhibition. The science of feathers and flight, the many different bird habitats, the highly-evolved senses of birds, bird intelligence, and bird behavior are all explored in a wide array of photographs and video, art, objects, specimens and samples of birds, eggs, and nests. Taking Flight is sponsored by TD Bank.
Bryan Nash Gill: Beyond the Landscape Through May 28, 2012
Connecticut-based artist Bryan Nash Gill creates abstract sculptures, works on paper, and installations that are inextricably bound to the materials and inspiration he finds in nature, working and living in a rural New England setting.
David Henderson: A Brief History of Aviation Through May 13, 2012
The large-scale, curvilinear components of artist David Henderson’s elegant, architectural sculpture were inspired by the beautifully complex fan vaulting of a sixteenth-century cathedral in England, but the pieces are built from materials and methods used in modern, ultra-light aircraft.
Liz Whitney Quisgard: Kaleidoscope May 24 – October 21, 2012
The exhibition Liz Whitney Quisgard: Kaleidoscope features a vivid selection of paintings, sculptures, and fiber wall hangings. Artist Liz Whitney Quisgard utilizes an exuberant palette of sumptuous colors and rich patterns, reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics, to create a scintillating rhythm and texture across her paintings and fiber works. A free opening reception will be held Saturday, June 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tom Patti: Major Commissions June 30, 2012
Two large-scale site-specific works of art in glass created by internationally renowned artist Tom Patti will be installed at Berkshire Museum and will be on view beginning June 30, 2012. Echoes in Space, an accompanying exhibition detailing the artist’s creative process in the development of the work, will open on June 30 as well. A gala celebration will be held Friday, June 29, at 6 p.m.; for details, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org.
•ONGOING DISCOVERY PROGRAMS
Fridays, 11 a.m.
Aquarium Adventures (ages 2-4)
Each week, toddlers enjoy story time, meeting a different animal, and animal-themed art projects. Free with Museum admission.
Saturdays, 12:30 p.m.
Chow Time in the Aquarium
Watch as Berkshire Museum staff feed their aquarium friends. Free with Museum admission.
•LIVE ANIMAL PROGRAMS
Sunday, April 1
Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm Preview
An incubator from Hancock Shaker Village has been in place at the Museum since early March and the baby chicks are ready to hatch. Watch the chicks take their first steps and peeps and enjoy a lamb that will be visiting from Hancock Shaker Village, from 1 to 2 p.m. Included with Museum admission.
In honor of Berkshire Museum’s 109th birthday, visitors can participate in art activities for kids, free with Museum admission, from noon to 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m.
Animals Up Close: The Wolf
The Wolf Conservation Center of South Salem, New York, presents the 9-year-old Arctic Gray Wolf, Atka. The program will include an awe-inspiring, up-close encounter with this important but misunderstood predator. Learn about the history of wolves in the United States, the importance of wolves in a healthy ecosystem, and about the two newest additions to Atka’s family. $15 adult, $8 child; Museum members $5 adult, $3 child; children 3 and under free; includes Museum admission.
Monday, April 16, 1 p.m.
Animals Up Close: North American Birds of Prey
Wingmasters presents North American birds of prey, including a magnificent Golden Eagle and five other species of live birds. Learn about this top-of-the-food-chain predator’s impressive hunting skill, adaptability, and super senses. $15 adult, $8 child; Museum members $5 adult, $3 child; children 3 and under free; includes Museum admission.
Tickets for live animal programs are available by calling 413.443.7171 ext. 10 or in person starting at 10 a.m. day of the event.
•OFF-SITE PROGRAM
Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - noon
Bird-banding Demonstration led by Christyna Laubach at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox
Watch a demonstration of the proper use of mist nets and banding of the captured birds. Participants help gather data and release the birds unharmed. Not recommended for children under 3. Included with regular Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary admission of $4 adult, $3 children; free for Mass Audubon Society and Museum members. Museum members must present a current membership card. Presented in partnership with Mass Audubon.
•SPECIAL EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES
Community Exhibition
Thursday, April 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
Berkshires Jazz, Inc. Student Art Contest
More than 100 student art works from Pittsfield and Taconic High Schools, St. Joseph's, and Miss Hall's will be on display. The first-prize winning work will become part of the publicity for the 2012 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival sponsored by Berkshires Jazz, Inc. The ceremony is open to the public. Refreshments will be served and the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble will play. Free.
Family Performance
Thursday to Saturday, April 19-21, 11 a.m. each day and 2 p.m. on Saturday
Berkshire Children’s Theater presents Thumbelina
The timeless tale of a girl no bigger than her mother's thumb, complete with a fairy prince, an evil toad, and a gathering of magical woodland creatures that help Thumbelina on her journey. $15 adult, $8 child; Museum members $5 adult, $3 child; children 3 and under free; includes museum admission.
Little Cinema
Special screening, Sunday, April 22, 2 and 7 p.m.
The Lord God Bird: A work in progress with George Butler
Seasoned filmmaker George Butler’s documentary, never released to theaters, follows die-hard believers and skeptics as they investigate the spring 2005 report that the ivory-billed woodpecker, supposedly extinct, had been discovered deep in the swamps of Arkansas. Documentary filmmaker, author, and photographer George Butler, president of White Mountain Films, has been producing and directing movies that have explored the obscure and unknown for more than thirty years. A question-and-answer session with George Butler will follow the screenings. $8, $6 members. Tickets are available in advance by calling 413.443.7171, ext 10, or by visiting the Museum’s service desk.
Artist Booksigning
Sunday, April 22, 4-5 p.m.
Woodcut by Bryan Nash Gill
Artist Bryan Nash Gill will sign copies of his new book, Woodcut, published by Princeton Architectural Press. Books will be available for purchase in the Museum gift shop. Free with Museum admission.
Cooking Demonstration and Lunch
Saturday, May 5, noon
It’s Not Just For the Birds
Birds have some of the most diverse palates of any animal, and gourmet caterer, educator, and food consultant Anna Gershenson will be dishing up an amazing and delicious lunch suggested by the diets of our avian counterparts. Gershenson is an ardent supporter of local, seasonal and organic food and her recipes have been featured in the Boston Globe and the Toronto Star. Bring an appetite and a friend and be ready to be inspired. Recipes for dishes prepared will be supplied. $18, members $16.
OLLI Lecture
Sunday, May 13, 3 p.m.
The Beauty of Nature: The Art of Technology presented by Dr. Story Musgrave
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s Distinguished Speakers Series presents a talk by astronaut, physician, writer, American hero, and Berkshire native Dr. Story Musgrave. The lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session. OLLI members $10; non-members $15; for advance registration, send payment to OLLI@BCC, 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Tickets will be available at the door the day of the event. Does not include admission to the Museum. For more information, visit www.berkshireolli.org
Artist Talk
Saturday, June 2, 4 p.m.
Liz Whitney Quisgard: Kaleidoscope
Artist Liz Whitney Quisgard, a working artist for more than 30 years and a well-versed speaker, will present a provocative discussion of her work and her exhibition in the Ellen Crane Memorial Room. The talk is included with Museum admission. An opening reception will follow from 5 to 7 p.m.; the reception is free and open to the public.
Pecha Kucha
Thursday, June 14, 7 p.m.
Pecha Kucha Night Pittsfield #2
It’s back! Pecha Kucha is known globally for the unique 20 x 20 format, with 20 PowerPoint slides progressing automatically every 20 seconds. In its second outing, Berkshire Museum brings you the coolest array of 6-minute-40-second presentations you have ever seen. Refreshments provided by Wandering Star Craft Brewery. $5, members free.
•Theater
June 21 through July 15
Berkshire Actors Theatre presents Doubt and Four Dogs and a Bone
Berkshire Actors Theatre 2012 summer season features two plays by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley: Doubt: A Parable and Four Dogs and a Bone will be performed in repertory. Doubt explores its characters’ struggle to hold on to their deeply held beliefs within the confines of a Bronx Catholic School in 1964; Four Dogs and a Bone is a hilarious send-up of the movie industry. $25. For more information, visit www.berkshireactorstheatre.org