PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Berkshire Bank Foundation recently awarded a grant to the Storefront Artist Project to fund its "Comic and Cartoon Art Comes Alive" FREE Kid-Centric, Family-Friendly education programming this summer.

The "Comic and Cartoon Art Comes Alive" is an educational outreach program that brings a series of related events and workshops focused on comic and cartoon art for children and families. The program offers workshops and programs free of charge and take place during the “Art of Scott Hanna” exhibit on view August 1 – 30, 2009, at the Storefront Artist Project.

Peter Lafayette, Executive Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation said ”Berkshire Bank is pleased to help bring this comic and cartoon art form to Pittsfield as it fits in nicely with our focus on education. We all grew up with comic books and it’s great to learn about the art and artists who have made them possible over the years."

Lawrence Klein, Curator of the “Art of Scott Hanna” said, "It is gratifying to us that Berkshire Bank has added its support of the Storefront Artist Project’s efforts to offer free arts education programs to the Berkshires.”

A listing of the events follows. All events at Storefront Artist Project unless otherwise indicated.

August 1: Storefront Artist Project and Alex Simmons, Writer, Producer, Teaching Artist, will participate in the annual cultural community event, “The Gather-In 2009” in Pitt Park on the West Side of Pittsfield.

August 1: Fundraising Opening Reception featuring Scott Hanna on Saturday, 5-8pm. Sponsored by FANBOY Papers and Endurance Brewing Company.

August 2: Art workshop, demonstration, sketch-a-thon, and discussion with Scott Hanna 12pm – 2pm.

August 8: "Create-a-Superhero" workshop with Timothy Callahan from 1 -3 pm.

August 12: Artist Salon, Wednesday 6 - 8pm “Insuring Your Collectibles” with JJ Filiault Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc.

August 16: Comic Book Exchange, Sunday 12-2pm Bring your favorite comics - trade, swap, buy and hear how much they are worth with James Arlemagne, Owner of Fantasy Realms on Elm Street.

August 20: In collaboration with United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County, Joe Staton will hold a drawing class 1pm – 3pm.

August 20: Pittsfield’s 3rd Thursday celebration with Scott Hanna and Joe Staton 5pm – 8pm.

August 21: Live on TV and online! Join Scott Hanna for a live television and live streaming video master drawing class. ON PCTV at 7pm.

August 29: Closing reception with Scott Hanna 6-8pm.

This Kid-Centric, Family-Friendly programming is generously supported by Berkshire Bank Foundation with additional support from Canson, FANBOY Papers, Sakura, Bags Unlimited, and Global Travel Services.

About the “Art of Scott Hanna” exhibit

Pittsfield’s Storefront Artist Project is presenting the “Art of Scott Hanna” this summer as part of its Comic Book and Cartoon Art Series that was so popular in 2008. Hanna is a well-known graphic novel and comic book illustrator, and his work on Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Robin, and others will be highlighted in the exhibition. The Art of Scott Hanna will be on view August 1 – 30, 2009, at the Storefront Artist Project.

About The Storefront Artist Project

The Storefront Artist Project presents innovative art exhibitions and installations; provides non-traditional studio space for artists; and brings artists and art making to under-served and diverse members of the community. In contributing to the health of its own community, the Storefront Artist Project seeks to establish itself as a model for revitalization in any city or community. 413-442-7201 or visit www.storefrontartist.org.

About Scott Hanna

Scott Hanna has been drawing & inking comic books for over 20 years. To date, he’s inked nearly 14,000 pages of comic art. Scott has worked on all the top characters, has inked Spider-man for fourteen years and most notably had a five year run on Detective Comics starring Batman. Currently, he is the inker on Hawkeye, Darkhawk, Terror Inc., R.E.B.E.L.S. and doing finishes on Vigilante. His artwork has been published in more than 100 graphic novels, mostly for Marvel and DC. Scott received the 2005 Wizard Fan Award for “Best Inker” and the 2002 Eisner Award for “Best Serialized Story” – Amazing Spider-man #30-35: “Coming Home.”

About Berkshire Bank Foundation 

Berkshire Bank Foundation was funded with a donation from Berkshire Bank and its funding priorities are educational and community development projects and programs. The three Bank foundations have awarded nearly $12 million in donations to non-profit organizations and will award more than $1 million in 2009. Non-profit organizations can submit requests through the Foundation office in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.