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Friends and family gather to support teen artists in the annual High School Art Show exhibit that opened at the Rockwell Museum on Saturday.

High School Art Show Displays Local Talent, Optimism

By Nichole DupontiBerkshires Staff
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'My Blue Tutu' by Victoria Cardillo
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Pablo Picasso believed in the young artist. "Every child is an artist," he once said. "The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Daphne Gunter, a junior at St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield, has taken the master's words to heart. She, along with more than 100 students from 12 area schools, is exhibiting her work at the 25th annual High School Art Show that opened at the Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday.

"I'm not happy with it," Gunter said of her painting, a bright acrylic work called simply "Petite House." "It's not dark enough."

Indeed, the pink Dr. Seussesque house is not threatening to its many observers. The power of this painting lies in the talent of it creator, who is just setting out on the artist's path.

 "As generic as it sounds, I do like Picasso the most," Gunter said. "He had such a way of expressing what he saw. In his case, it is creation for the sake of the creator. He really didn't care what other people thought of his work.

"I've been an artist for three years and I'm looking around this room and it's a little intimidating. It makes me want to figure out where I can better myself as an artist."

There was no telling who was the better artist at this show. The exhibit showcased a range of mediums including acrylic, clay, ink, pencil, tissue paper and photography, to name a few. Satirical political cartoons shared the same wall with abstract mixed media and photography triptychs. Melinda Georgeson, the museum's director of education, said this year's show highlights not only the many talents of local students but also their uninhibited use of color.

"Right after 9/11 all of the works were very dark," she said. "Even two and three years after, the pieces for the show were heavy. Now, if you look at all the color, it shows a real optimism. It just goes to show that kids are always affected by the world around them."


'Petite House' by Daphne Gunter
Caroline Vitek, a sophomore at Mount Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown, said her inspiration came from the process itself and from simple shapes and scraps of "this and that."

"This is the first year I've ever been in an art class," she said. "I really like it, but it feels weird to have my work in an exhibit."

Caroline's father, Bill Vitek, said art has been an amazing experience for his daughter, who is autistic.

"This has opened a lot of doors for her," he said. "She comes home with some really cool stuff from her art class. It's just amazing what these kids can do."

The art show runs from now until March 6.
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Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.

The other is expected next week.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.

Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.

"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.

Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.

The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.

While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.

The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.

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