Think Pink 2007

Sept. 28-Oct.27

The opening recception is Friday Sept 28th, 5:30-7:30 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Ave.
Gallery hours are Wed.-Sat. 12-5.

Four years ago, Pittsfield’s Storefront Artist Project and the Breast Health Team of the American Cancer Society came up with a great idea: an art show that would celebrate the strengths of women dealing with breast cancer and raise awareness of the importance of early detection. Dozens of artists responded to their call for entries, and hundreds attended the opening party. A new Pittsfield arts tradition was born: Think Pink.

Since then Think Pink has featured a wide variety of artwork by artists, some of them affected by breast cancer, some not, but all dedicated to bringing the issue to everyone’s attention in a positive and accessible way. The idea was to make the event, festive, friendly and welcoming, a warm atmosphere where women who may have just been diagnosed with breast cancer could meet women who have survived the disease.

Over fifty-five artists are contributing work to the fourth annual show, which opens with a public reception on Friday, September 28, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, located at 28 Renne Ave in downtown Pittsfield. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink, which may even earn you a prize if your outfit is sufficiently imaginative.

Think Pink is designed as an awareness-raiser, not a fundraiser, so while the works in the show are for sale, the majority of the funds raised go back to the artists, with a small portion set aside for Think Pink-related art projects. Artists were invited to contribute pieces that incorporate the color pink, the female form, or the theme of healing the spirit.

"Think Pink is a very open arms kind of event. My personal mission has been to help foster the spark in would-be artists,” noted Think Pink co-chair Kellie Meisl.  She continued, “A lot of people came to me and said, ‘I have an idea but I'm not an artist.’ I am of the opinion that we are all artists so I encouraged people to turn their vision into something. Art is very healing and this show is a place where anyone can participate and benefit from that accomplishment."

Photographer Julie McCarthy is working on a series of portraits of women with breast cancer, a Think Pink-funded project. Three of the portraits will be featured in this year’s show. Other participating photographers include Bria Arpante, Gillian Jones, Donald Malumphy, Janet Mickle, and Melody Mason.

Artist Yura Adams of Athens, New York, contributes an piece entitled Pinko, incorporating oil on digital collage; craft includes ceramic pieces by Daniel Bellow Joey Jablonski, a piece entitled “I’m Vine” by Janet Reich Elspach; jewelry by Lucy Sandler and Helga McConell; and quilting by Sharon Mongeon.

Other participating artists include Peter Alvarez, Lesley Ann Beck, Kim Arre-Gerber, Barbara Barron, Morris Bennett, Peggy Braun, Joan Burkhard, Kris Cottom, Diane Cournoyer, Rosemary Daly, Mary Beth Eldridge, Diana Gala, Susan Geller, Ann Getsinger, Paul Graubard, Jeanet Ingalls, Colleen Surprise Jones, Stacey Keets, Judith Koppel, Lorraine Lauzon, Marlena Leonard, Judith Lerner, Fern Leslie, Kristen Luttinen, Tara Mah, Kellie Meisl, Andy Mick, Edward Moran, Melanie Mowinski, Joanne Murray, Jordan Pagan, Anne Pasko, Trina Porte, Colleen Quinn, Bernard Re, Anne Roland, Lucy Sandler, Debbie Smith, Scott Taylor, Alice Trumbull, Doug Truth,  Heather Valencia, Devyn Yurko, and Laura Yurko.

Think Pink runs through Saturday, October 28. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 5pm. Admission is free, and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is located at 28 Renne Avenue in downtown Pittsfield.