10X10 Upstreet Arts

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We speak with artist and activist Diane Firtell about the “CHAIRity” exhibition and silent auction taking place at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge as part of the 10X10 Upstreet Arts Festival.

Proceeds will benefit the Pittsfield Education Foundation.

From CHAIRity release

“This year we invited 17 local artists and 2 organizations, to use their creative genius and recycle chairs no longer being used in the Lounge. The only instruction was to take the chairs and bring them back in another form. Working in all mediums these artists have produced a fantastic and diversified show with wall hangings, table sculpture, planters, a toy box and more.”

Participating Artists

Phil Bastow, Patricia Boissevain, Marguerite Bride, Berkshire Fabrications Jan Charbonneau and Wood craftsman Jon Charbonneau, John Clarke, Carrie Jean Converse, Zoë Doucette, Autumn Ni Dubhghaill, Diane Firtell, Betsy Gorman (Burnt Barn Studio), Kate Kimball (heykatekimball), Michael King, Lisa Merullo, Scott Taylor and Steve Sears, Nina Silver, Ellie Spangler, Kristen Tool, The Women Veterans from Soldier On and The Soldier On Men’s Program.

About the Silent Auction

Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the newly formed non profit Pittsfield Education Foundation (PEF.) Bidding begins at $50 and increases in $10 increments (in keeping with the 10×10 theme.) The silent auction ends at 8PM, 3/3. Please plan to be here to claim your item.

Opening Reception Friday 2/17 and Closing Reception Friday 3/3
Please join us for receptions from 5-8PM. We’ll provide light refreshments; beer and wine available for purchase.

We’ll also be having informal artist talks both evenings beginning at 7PM. Come meet the artists and hear about their inspiration and have a last chance to bid on these awesome creations.

Thanks for supporting the arts and education!

Phil Bastow, Patricia Boissevain, Marguerite Bride, Berkshire Fabrications Jan Charbonneau and Wood craftsman Jon Charbonneau, John Clarke, Carrie Jean Converse, Zoë Doucette, Autumn Ni Dubhghaill, Diane Firtell, Betsy Gorman (Burnt Barn Studio), Kate Kimball
(heykatekimball), Michael King, Lisa Merullo, Scott Taylor and Steve Sears, Nina Silver, Ellie Spangler, Kristen Tool, The Women Veterans from Soldier On and The Soldier On Men’s Program.

Pittsfield Education Foundation

“Impacting Achievement in Public Education”

Mission
To improve the achievement and success of the children and teachers in the Pittsfield Public Schools by enhancing educational opportunities and building broad-based  community support for quality public education.

Core Values

● Provide o pportu nities for stu dents and teachers to achieve their
greatest potential
● Literacy for all
● Support for innovative ideas and creativity
● Promote cultural equity
● Cultivate and sustain pride in the Pittsfield community

Why is your support important?

Enrichment, Intervention & Educator Empowerment:
“In a study looking at gifted students who participated in talent development through  competitions, the researchers reported a long-term impact on these students’ post-secondary achievements, with 52% of the 345 students who participated having earned doctoral degrees.”
(“A student not reading at his or her grade level by the end of the third grade is four  times less likely to graduate high school on time–six times less likely for students from low-income families.”

“States use reading proficiency scores in third grade to project how many prisons they’re going to need twenty years down the road.”

“For Fiscal Year 2014, the average cost per year to house an inmate in the Massachusetts DOC was $53,040.87.”
“Teaching quality has been defined as “instruction that enables a wide range of students to learn,” ( Darling-Hammond, 2012 ), and it is the strongest school-related factor that can improve student learning and achievement.”

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