(The Berkshires, July 20, 2011) – ArtBerkshires, an organization working to bring together professionals in the arts living and working in the Berkshires, presents the first of two curated weekends taking place in the summer of 2011. The weekend will feature studio and home visits with visual artists, dance and theater performances, and discussions with internationally renowned art professionals. Events can be individually attended, or an all-inclusive package is available that covers expenses for the full weekend of activities.

The weekend kicks off on Thursday in Becket with dinner at the Dream Away Lodge and dancing by contemporary troupe zoe | juniper at Jacob’s Pillow, followed by an exclusive tour of the Pillow’s extensive exhibition of photographs by Annie Leibovitz. Highlights of Friday’s events are a behind-the-scenes tour of Hancock Shaker Village, focusing on the Shakers’ approach to architecture and design, and “dish + dine” at Ferrin Gallery, catered by Mezze Bistro and hosted by artist Joe Wheaton and food historian/curator Barbara Wheaton. Saturday’s events include a private tour of Ventfort Hall and a performance of Open Marriage: Renegade Wife of the Gilded Age. The weekend closes on Sunday morning with brunch and a presentation by jeweler Lola Brooks, who will discuss her recent journey through India in a jewel-encrusted rickshaw, at Sienna Gallery.

ArtBerkshires was established in 2010 by gallery directors Leslie Ferrin and Sienna Patti to facilitate increased collaboration with local and regional art professionals. The ArtBerkshires weekend series brings artists, curators, presenters, and audiences together in new contexts, with the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation for the varied and diverse contemporary visual art being practiced and presented in Berkshire County.

This is the first of two ArtBerkshires curated weekends in the summer of 2011; the second, which will take place August 19-21, will focus on photography.