(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – The 12th annual Berkshires Arts Festival will take place at Ski Butternut over two weekends: July 4-6, 2013, and July 12-14, 2013. The festival will offer fine arts and crafts for sale, art and craft workshops, demonstrations, talks, activities for children, a dining tent, and live musical and theatrical performances throughout both weekends. Exclusive to the second weekend is a new “Artists of the Berkshires” exhibition.

A selection of handmade works in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, furniture, wood, metal, mixed media, sculpture, wearable and decorative fiber, and photography will be on sale. The festival serves as a destination for both casual weekend shoppers and sophisticated art collectors, offering a great variety of creative works together with the simple pleasures of a day spent out-of-doors amidst a beautiful setting at this family-friendly event.

 

Berkshires Arts Festival is organized and curated by Richard and Joanna Rothbard, artistic directors of American Art Marketing of Slate Hill, N.Y., and 30-year veterans of the art world. Together, they own An American Craftsman galleries in both New York City and Savannah, Ga. Richard Rothbard is an acclaimed master woodworker himself and the originator of a unique style of intricately carved wooden boxes.

 

“This festival represents the best of established and emerging artists from across the country and from the Berkshires,” says Rothbard. “There is something for everyone in every price range – from the latest in fashion and jewelry design, handcrafted furniture and ceramics to the most exquisite and highly collectable original works of art.  We personally select our exhibitors with care and with an eye for excellence in design and craftsmanship.”

The festival will feature raku pottery firing demonstrations with Richard Foye. Live musical acts include jazz band the Lucky Five, violinist Daisy Jopling, and singer/guitarist Ryan Hollander. Live performances by Alotta Hoopla from Greenfield and the Puppet Brigade of Williamstown will entertain children. The Festival Dining Tent will offer a variety of foods for every taste. Children’s activities will enhance both weekends.

Featured Berkshires artists include: Beverly Bourassa, painter (Pittsfield); Richard Britell, painter (Pittsfield); Laura Christensen, collage artist (Williamstown); Robin Crofut-Brittingham, painter (Great Barrington); David Eddy, painter (West Stockbridge); Diane Firtell, photographer/collage artist (Pittsfield); Joanna Gabler, painter/visual artist/photographer (Williamstown); Leslie Klein, ceramic sculptor (West Stockbridge); Melody Mason, photographer (Lenox); Janet Newman, painter (Canaan, Conn.); John Pirnak, painter (Falls Village, Conn.); Marney Schorr, painter  (Williamstown); Sherry Steiner, sculptor, (Housatonic); Abbe Stahl Steinglass, painting (New Marlborough); Larry Zingale, painter (Great Barrington).