Berkshire Lightscapes celebrates completion of Phase 1 with the lighting up of Colonial Theatre façade and an outdoor video projections show by Joe Wheaton
Public invited to Lighting Ceremony & Video Projections Show – July 7 at 8:45 pm
Berkshire Lightscapes will celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of its unique program with the lighting of the new LED lights on the front facades of the Colonial Theatre and the Barrington Stage Company’s Wolfson Center. The public is invited to attend the lighting ceremony on July 7 at 8:45 pm in front of the Colonial Theatre.
Immediately following the lighting ceremony, a new Video Projections show sponsored by Berkshire Lightscapes will debut on the large south facing wall of the Colonial which will serve as a giant screen. The featured artist will be Joe Wheaton and his unique and vibrant video creations. This program will be on-going during the summer and fall months on a schedule to be announced. Through the Berkshire Art Association the public, artists and non-artist alike, will be invited to submit original video works. Those selected by a jury of artists will be shown on the big Colonial wall screen.
The outdoor lighting, which has also been installed on several other downtown buildings, is part of an effort to illuminate prominent buildings and spaces in downtown Pittsfield creating artistic “lightscapes” that will help make a brighter and more pleasing environment. Each installation features state-of-the art LED light systems that can be remotely programmed for colorful effects and animation. The goal is to help transform and bring new energy downtown after dark with colorful vibrant lighting that can be coordinated on multiple buildings.
The lighting installations at the Colonial Theater and Barrington Stage Wolfson Center were made possible by support from Mass Development, Pittsfield Beautiful and local private donors and businesses.
Berkshire Lightscapes, a program of Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., was launched in 2018 under the passionate leadership of the late Elie Hammerling. Mass Development, a quasi-public entity that invests in redevelopment projects across the Commonwealth, awarded a $50,000 grant for the project from its Commonwealth Places Program. Its grant had to be matched by private donations and within 3 months, a total of $52,000 was raised locally from 137 individuals and businesses. The program first lit up the dramatic façade of City Hall. Other lighting installations followed at Dunham Mall, and most recently, at the Sottile and Persip Plazas that straddle the train underpass on North Street.
The lighting of the Colonial and Wolfson Center completes the publicly supported phase of the program. Support from Pittsfield Beautiful filled a funding gap and made the lighting of these two buildings possible. That support was made possible by an unexpected donation from the estate of the late Fay Henry.
Berkshire Lightscapes has also partnered with private building owners to light up their buildings with their own funds. The former First Agricultural Bank building at 100 North Street, owned by David Carver, and the historic Shipton building at 150 North Street owned by Steve Oakes are now both fully lit. Discussions are currently underway with other owners.
Peter Lafayette, President of Berkshire Lightscapes says, “the lighting of the Colonial Theatre and Wolfson Center and the other buildings already lit up will give a grand welcome to residents and people visiting Pittsfield. We are achieving our original goal of helping to transform downtown at night through these lights. We have some good momentum and want to continue the program helping private owners light up additional buildings. “
For more information about Berkshire Lightscapes, visit berkshirelightscapes.com. Photos and information about the various gardens, planters and other beautification projects provided by Pittsfield Beautiful volunteers in partnership with the City can be viewed at pittsfieldbeautiful.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Peter Lafayette | plaf2016@gmail.com
