(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) — Acclaimed contemporary photographer Gregory Crewdson, a longtime part-time resident of the Berkshires whose work is often staged on location in towns around the region and on stage sets at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., will have his work discussed at two events this Friday, August 19, 2011,: at the Berkshire Museum at 5 p.m. and at Ferrin Gallery at 6:30 p.m.

At the Berkshire Museum, John Stomberg, former director of the Williams College Museum of Art and now Florence Finch Abbott Director, Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, and Maria Mingalone, the Berkshire Museum’s interim executive director and longtime director of interpretation and programming, will discuss Crewdson’s work, which is included in the museum’s collection, at 5.

Crewdson’s 2004 photograph Untitled (Beneath the Roses), is currently on view at Berkshire Museum; the large-scale image is part of the permanent collection. Crewdson is known to use locations in and around the Berkshires in the production of his work; sites in Pittsfield, Adams, and North Adams, Massachusetts, were all used in the Beneath the Roses series, shot between 2003 and 2005.

The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. or call 413.443.7171.

Conversation: The Photography of Gregory Crewdson is presented as part of the artBerkshires curated weekend, Decadence and Decay. Friday evening’s curated events continue with DISH+DINE Beauty in Decay, from 6:30-9 p.m. at Ferrin Gallery, 437 North St., Pittsfield, with a farm-to-table dinner menu prepared by chef Brian Alberg of the Red Lion Inn and tableware by Mary Anne Davis.

The dinner will feature a conversation on contemporary photography with John Stomberg, Maria Mingalone, and Aprile Gallant, curator of prints, drawings, and photographs, Smith College Museum of Art.

Seating for the dinner is limited; for reservations and ticket price, call 413.442.1622.

Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South Street on Route 7 in downtown Pittsfield.