(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – 10X10on10, a multi-media theater and visual art exhibition exploring women’s lives and inspiration throughout life’s decades, will feature work by nearly fifty visual artists, writers, and actors. The event, a collaboration between Alchemy Initiative and WAM Theatre, is part of the 2nd annual 10X10 Upstreet Art Festival, and features six performances and opening and closing art receptions that will be held at yBar in Pittsfield from Saturday, February 16, 2013, through Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Playing around with the idea that some of our biggest inspirations continue through the decades, while others change dramatically, Alchemy Initiative invited girls and women to reflect on the question: “What are the 10 things that inspire you most at this decade of your life?” From these inspirations, each girl/woman created a piece of artwork. The visual exhibit, curated by Diane Firtell, reads like a timeline of inspiration, beginning with work of young artists under age 10 and ending with artwork of women aged 90 to 100.  All pieces are sized 10×10 and are for sale.

WAM Theatre presents an original theatre piece that weaves together stories, narratives and reflections by and about women exploring inspiration throughout life’s decades. Director Sara Katzoff, co-founder and artistic director of the Berkshire Fringe, reached out to a variety of writers with the same question: “What are the 10 things that inspire you most at this decade of your life?” Working with a small ensemble of local professional actors, Sara has taken the diverse answers and created an original short performance piece.

With limited seating and show dates, pre-ordering tickets is encouraged. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at WAM Theatre or by calling 1.800.838.3006.

Actors taking part include Barbara Cardillo, Joan Coombs, Kelly Galvin and Erin Ouellette.

Visual artists include Karen Arp-Sandel, Suzi Banks Baum, Lucy Burns, Roselle Chartock, Laurie Coyle, Sarah Dunton, Diane Firtell, Collette Hartcorn, Ellie Kreischer, Sophia Lee, Natalie Levine, Melanie Mowinski, Gabrielle Senza, Jordan Skowron, Nina Silver,  Carol Stegeman, Diane Sullivan, Rebecca Weinman, Amelia Wood, Paige Wright and Parker Wright.

Writers include Loren AliKhan, Suzi Banks Baum, Nakeida Bethel-Smith, Valerie Gene Costas, Linda Bidwell Delaney, Jane Burke, J. Thalia Cunningham, Nichole Dupont, Susan Dworkin, Mallory Fehrensen, Margot Faught, Mackenzie Sax, Rachel Siegel, Jenn Smith, Amanda Van Allen and Truus van Ginhoven.

Alchemy Initiative and WAM Theatre are encouraging the community to participate. Using the hashtag #10x10on10, they are calling for fans to post photos on Instagram of what inspires them at this decade in their life. Similarly, they are asking fans to post a list of their top ten inspirations on Twitter under the same hashtag.