Simon Reads - Free!
2023-11-25 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a reading by Simon Winchester and a discussion of his 2023 book, Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge from Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic.
“A delightful compendium of the kind of facts you immediately want to share with anyone you encounter . . . . Simon Winchester has firmly earned his place in history . . . as a promulgator of knowledge of every variety, perhaps the last of the famous explorers who crisscrossed the now-vanished British Empire and reported what they found to an astonished world.” — New York Times
Free!

Memorial Garden Opening Ceremony in Honor of Val Coleman
2024-05-05 14:00 - 16:00
The opening ceremony for our Memorial Garden will honor Val Coleman, longtime friend, volunteer, speaker, and Board member of the Sandisfield Arts Center, whose family’s gift in his honor helped turn the plot into a peaceful garden with two all-weather benches and lovely plantings by Snow Farm.
After a short ceremony with readings of Val’s poetry and the history of the garden, join us for a reception with light refreshments and a chance to share stories about Val.
Check out Val’s talks on this website:
A Story of Poetry
The Enigma of Socialism
A Story of Fascism
Abraham Lincoln: A Talk by Val Coleman
And watch and hear Val reading his poem on the Arts Center.

About the Memorial Garden

The Memorial Garden is on the spot where once stood the only two-story school in Sandisfield. The school, no longer used, had become derelict and was burned by the fire department (as a training exercise) in 1961.

In 2018, Sandsfield Historical Commissioner Ron Bernard had the idea of commemorating the historic space (which was on property now owned by the Sandisfield Arts Center) by building a wall using stones from the old foundation. An interpretive historical marker was installed memorializing the history of the space. Ron was aided in his wall building by Benjamin Luxon, and the initial cleanout by machine of the tangle of weeds, rocks, etc, was generously donated by C.W. Nelson Landscaping.

Once the space was cleared, many ideas were discussed about how to use it. When our beloved Val Coleman passed away in October 2021, his family approached the Arts Center about a memorial gift and the idea of creating the Sandisfield Memorial Garden became a reality. A garden committee was formed consisting of Adam Manacher, Susie Crofut, Jean Atwater-Williams and Tom Christopher. Val’s family’s gift along with several other generous donations, allowed work to begin in earnest in Spring of 2022. Snow Farm was contracted to install a garden. A sign was designed and purchased and Jean’s childhood friend, John Harney, again fabricated and donated a stand for the new sign, which was installed by Ben Luxon and Steve Kopiek.

Two weather-resistant benches provide a place to sit and contemplate the verdant surroundings and the layered history of this place. One bench bears a plaque with Val’s name.

Film and discussion with Andre Lambertson, award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker
2024-05-25 19:00 - 21:30
Join us for refreshments at 7 – film screening at 7:30
Last season the award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Andre Lambertson presented a photography show and slide talk that were so powerful and timely that by popular request we have invited him back for this special event.
Andre will talk a bit about his work around the world as a photojournalist and then screen the inspiring, music-filled “The Whole Gritty City,” a unique window into the world of New Orleans school marching bands. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.
See The Whole Gritty City trailer.
Students: Free

Open Mic Variety Show - Free!
2024-07-12 19:00 - 21:00
Bring your jokes, poems, songs, and other talents to share with your neighbors over light refreshments.
If you’re contributing, please arrive 15 minutes early to sign up.
Free.

Third Annual Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists - Opening Reception
2024-09-14 14:00 - 2024-10-05 16:00
September 14 – October 6
Please note the date change!
3rd Annual Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists
Opening reception 2-4 pm
We are very excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists! This year’s juror was Josephine Halvorson, an accomplished artist and the Chair of the MFA Program in Painting at Boston University’s College of Fine Art. She has a studio here in Sandisfield.
Image above, Daniel Manacher and Shwoopy Loops.
The three winners are:
Aidan White (website https://www.aidan-white.com/)
Mico Aldmar Mendoza
Warwick Willow (website https://www.warwickwillow.com/about)
The show also includes the work of 2023 winner Laina Falcon (website https://www.falconlaina.com/)
Aidan White was born in Princeton, NJ, and has lived in the Berkshires since he was eight. He is a painting major at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and expects to finish his BFA in August, 2024.
From his statement: I enjoy painting portraits of people and their pets using an expressionistic style. I sometimes place objects in the painting representing something of the subject’s life. While I place objects in a painting intentionally, I leave it to the viewer to make of it what they will. Sometimes, the allusion is obvious, and sometimes not. I also enjoy experimenting with surrealistic subjects that are disjointed and dreamlike. I find the images I use as inspiration in literature, music, current events, and nature, especially human anatomy.

Mico Aldmar Mendozawas born in 2000, and grew up in a small rural town in Central Luzon, Philippines. I am a computer science major, and has a background in environmental sustainability and studio art. He plans to pursue an MFA after graduation and wants to explore the possibilities when it comes to upcycling waste, minimizing material dependence, and exploring sustainable practices/techniques in art.
From his statement: A lot of my work is centered around sustainability and upcycling waste materials – recontextualizing the materiality and meaning of objects that are in excess, wasted, left behind. My three recent sculptures, for example, are made purely of electronic waste from Williams College offices and from local community members – two of which don’t use any other materials at all, even adhesives and binding products.

Warwick Willow grew up surrounded by art. Their early creative experiences involved painting with homemade watercolors, sculpting with salt dough, and exploring their mother’s vast art collection in their family home in New Mexico. They began their formal study of the arts at the age of 15, going on to graduate from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. Having discovered their love of clay, they transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, where they studied ceramics and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. They currently work at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington as a Community Director.

From their statement: My work is an exploration of the connections between art, domesticity, and personal identity as it is tied to a living space. Finding inspiration in the beauty of the mundane and the moments of history found within a home, I aim to create work that brings joy into that intimate space without requiring a pedestal or formal display. When exhibiting my work I prioritize creating an environment that holds stories and feels full of life.

Falcon Laina, 2023 winner, will be showing new work.
Focusing on scenes from their vivid dreams, Falcon’s work explores the eerie, otherworldly and horrific. By using slow and methodical techniques to bring these pieces to life, and by presenting a static and beautiful fine art object, they strive to take away its ability to jumpscare. Falcon’s drawings and sculptures often depict a monster which is made of both human and animal parts.

These embodiments of taboo and monstrosity are comments on their experience with gender queerness. By presenting these creatures as lovingly crafted creations, they hope to elicit a sense of curiosity and wonder in the viewer, and a greater respect for the mysterious.

Understanding

Gala Annual Dinner - Honoring Ben Luxon
2024-09-21 18:00 - 21:00
Photograph by Richard Migot.
We lost our beloved Ben Luxon – maestro of the Sandisfield Players, director, producer, actor, and of so many Sandisfield Arts Center events over the last decades – on July 25, 2024.
This evening will celebrate the incalculable contributions that Ben made to our Arts Center — not just plays (creating the Sandisfield Players) but reciting poetry, inviting world-class musicians – his friends – to perform here, and so much more.
The evening will include a delicious dinner prepared by our master chef Adam Manacher and clips and remembrances of such performances as Our Town, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Stamp Collection.
The picture is from last year’s dinner, and captures both how the Arts Center is transformed for our galas and a bit of the spirit of camaraderie these events engender. Two Gentlemen Folk, the DVD with Ben Luxon and Bill Crofut shown at last year’s dinner, will be available for purchase,
Vegetarian and gluten-free preferences can be accommodated but to help us plan, please note this in the Additional Information (order notes) when you check out.

Tributes to Ben in the Sandisfield Times

Illuminated: Women in Photography - Continues through November 9
2024-10-13 16:00 - 2024-11-09 19:00
October 13 – November 9
Illuminated: Women in Photography
UPDATE:
Continues, Saturday, October 19, 11-3pm, Sunday, October 27, 11-3pm , Saturday, November 2, 11-3pm, or by appointment gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org
Closing reception Saturday November 9 at 5pm with a talk by Mariah Robertson at 6:15pm.
Mariah Robertson www.mariahrobertson.com , an artist known primarily for her work experimenting with darkroom techniques and materials, will give a talk on her work and process at the closing party on November 9th at 6:15pm.
Above photograph by Mariah Robertson
Illuminated: Women in Photography
Opening reception October 13 4-5:30 pm, 5:30 Slideshow and talk by Amy Arbus, world renowned award-winning photographer
The gender component of emotional memory is linked to the amygdala (an almond-shaped emotion locus in both hemispheres of the brain.) For women, the left side of the amygdala appears to drive emotional recall much more vividly than for men. Women also have nine brain regions actively involved in the imprinting and commitment to memory of emotionally rich stimuli, whereas men have only two. (https://www.healthday.com/health-news/neurology/emotional-memory-stronger-in-women-508198.html)
This show is both a celebration and inquiry into the feminine nature of memory. How does what we remember — and forget — influence artistic process and output? Each artist, through her own personal experience, reveals how memories can function as the ultimate fabric of self expression and storytelling.
Work by these artists:
Daisy Noyes
Josie Miner
Kenzie Fields
Mariah Robertson
Maura Sullivan
Susanna Howe
Tina Tyrell
Barbara Woike

Katherine Wells, Middletown, Ct, 1979 by Barbara Woike

The Nutcracker, 2022 by Tina Tyrell

The Death of Mikhail Alexandrovich, 2006 by Maura Sullivan

by Susanna Howe

by Daisy Noyes

by Mariah Robertson

Singing Sandisfield's Unsung Heroes
2025-05-31 16:00 - 17:00
An event, with music, to recognize and honor a few of the people who quietly keep our community thriving.
For 2025, we are pleased to recognize Mary Bredenfoerder, Zoë Marinelli Nelson, Linda Riiska, and Bill Price, and one surprise announcement, who each in their own way help make Sandisfield a great town.
Please come and help us recognize these people who, according to the Google definition of “local hero,” are individuals who make a significant and positive impact on the community through their actions, dedication, or volunteer work, often without seeking recognition. Sandisfield is blessed with many, and we hope to make this an annual event.
Free.

Horses in Words -- And In Sandisfield
2025-06-07 16:00 - 18:00
Panel discussion led by acclaimed author Courtney Maum with award-winning local authors of books on the relationship of horses and humans. Courtney, author of the memoir, The Year of the Horses, will be talking with Donnaldson Brown, author of Because I Loved You, and Barbara Newman, author of The Dreamcatcher Codes, about their stories and the special role of horses in books and in life.
After the discussion, Rose Nelson will share slides and talk about her Sandisfield Sunny Rose Farm, where two of the authors ride.
The afternoon concludes with coffee, tea, and light refreshements, with books available for purchase and author signing.
About the books
The Year of the Horses by Courtney Maum was a Today Show Best Mental Health Read as well as Good Morning America, Vanity Fair, TODAY, NYLON and PureWow Best Book of May 2022, a Publishers Weekly and Boston.com Best Book of Summer and an Amazon Best Book of 2022 So Far (Biography & Memoir Category). “Sharp, heartfelt, and cathartic, The Year of the Horses captures a woman’s journey out of depression and the horses that guide her, physically and emotionally, on a new path forward.”
Because I Loved You by Donnaldson Brown is winner of 2024 Independent Book Publishers Association Silver Medalist, General Fiction, 2023 International Book Awards Finalist, Literary Fiction, 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, General Fiction: Novel, Best Books of 2023, Honorable Mention, Historical Fiction, Hungry For Good Books.
The Dreamcatcher Codes, the award-winning, debut novel from writer and filmmaker Barbara Newman, is “a timely and lushly drawn story about fearless young women blazing new paths for themselves and Mother Earth.” It “illuminates two critical issues of our times: climate change and girls claiming their voices and vital place in the world.”
About the authors
Courtney Maum, who once lived in Sandisfield, is the author of five books, including the groundbreaking publishing guide that Vanity Fair recently named one of the ten best books for writers, BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL and the memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES. Her latest novel, “Alan Opts Out” is forthcoming in both the US and the UK in the summer of 2026
Donnaldson Brown grew up riding horses on her family’s ranch in East Texas and in her hometown in New England. A former screenwriter, she worked for Robert Redford’s film development company for several years. Her spoken word pieces have been featured in, among other places, the Made in the Berkshires Theatre Festival in Stockbridge. Donnaldson. is also a facilitator and trainer with The Equus Effect in Sharon, offering experiential learning with horses for those coping with post traumatic stress injuries, including veterans, first responders, and those in recovery.
Barbara Newman is a a storyteller, writer, filmmaker, Earth protector, and mom. She developed a girls’ leadership workshop, based on the principles of cowgirl spirit, and was part of the think tank that inspired the Fred Rogers Center for Children’s Media and Education.

Four Fabulous Fridays - Open Mic Series
2025-06-20 19:00 - 20:30
Our open mic nights are the perfect venue for showcasing your talent. Seasoned performer or just starting out – bring your music, poetry, comedy, dance, or whatever creative talent you have to share.
Or just come to enjoy some live entertainment and get a new perspective on your neighbors.
Four Fridays June 20, July 18, August 15, and September 19 at 7 pm (sign up starts at 6:30)
Free (Donations suggested)

POSTPONED - Film and discussion with Andre Lambertson, award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker
2025-06-21 19:00 - 21:30
New date to be announced – Please check back
Join us for refreshments at 7 – film screening at 7:30
Award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Andre Lambertson returns for a screening of another film, Charm City.
Andre will talk a bit about his work around the world as a photojournalist and then screen the compelling, important film, Charm City, “a sweeping look at violent crime and possible solutions in Baltimore.”.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.
“Charm City is not only a superb and moving work of non-fiction filmmaking, it is also one of those socially conscious and totally righteous documentaries with the power to help spur reform.” — Baltimore Sun
See the Charm City trailer.
Film length: 1 hr 48 min
Students are free but we recommend getting a student ticket, at no cost.

Pas de Deux, America and France: A Musical Celebration Featuring Award-Winning Duo Pianists Anita Castiglione and Paul Posnak
2025-06-29 16:00 - 18:00
We are fortunate to have the award-winning duo pianists, Anita Castiglione and Paul Posnak (pictured above), as neighbors. In today’s recital, they will play music of America and France in a “pas de deux.”
This concert celebrates the intertwined relationship of the United States and France, central allies and influences upon each other at the historical moments that shaped their destinies – the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1779.
The concert features three of the most influential musical figures in American and in French music of the early and mid-Twentieth Century: Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and William Bolcom; and Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Francis Poulenc.
The artists will share relevant, brief commentaries about the composers and the individual works in the program.
Paul Posnak’s international career as a concert pianist, recording artist, transcriber and sought-after teacher began as a child prodigy with a full scholarship to the Juilliard Preparatory School of Music at the age of eight. Recipient of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees at Juilliard, and of the Loeb Prize (Juilliard’s highest award), he won First Prizes in the International J.S. Bach Competition and the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York. He has performed at the White House, The Supreme Court, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at Carnegie Recital and Tully Halls in New York, and throughout Europe, South America, and Asia to critical acclaim.
Anita Castiglione’s career as a soloist, collaborative pianist, choral accompanist, and music educator began with piano studies in Massachusetts at the age of six. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami and a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, both in piano performance. She was the recipient of the prestigious Juilliard Alumni Award. She earned her Doctorate in Collaborative Piano in 2002. She is currently adjunct faculty and pianist for the Frost Chorale, Bella Voce, and Chamber Singers choral ensembles at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.

Four Fabulous Fridays - Open Mic Series
2025-07-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-15 19:00 - 20:30
Our open mic nights are the perfect venue for showcasing your talent. Seasoned performer or just starting out — bring your music, poetry, comedy, dance, or whatever creative talent you have to share.
Or just come to enjoy some live entertainment and get a new perspective on your neighbors.
Four Fridays June 20, July 28, August 16, and September 19 at 7 pm
Free (Donations suggested)

International Art Show and Film Festival: Beyond Our Boundaries, Day One
2025-07-19 15:00 - 19:30
Show opens Saturday July 19 with an opening reception 3 – 5 pm followed at 5:15 by the Not So Short Film Festival-Part One.
The film festival continues on Sunday July 20 at 2 pm with the Not So Short Film Festival Part Two.
The show continues weekends 12 to 3 or by appointment (gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org) until August 31. It is open during events.
Explore the uncharted territories of creativity at “Beyond Our Boundaries,” an international art show celebrating innovation and risk-taking in art and film. This exhibition brings together diverse artists from around the world who push the boundaries of conventional art forms, embracing new methods and mediums to inspire and challenge our perceptions.”
Featured film presentation: Not So Short Film Festival is a 5 hour compilation of films created by artists around the world during Covid-19, and previously screened online at the Ely Center for Contemporary Art. We are thrilled to be showing this work along with short films by filmmakers Irena Paskali (Macedonia and Germany) and Gabi Gusmao (Brazil).
Some of the featured artists: Tomek Kopeciwicz (Poland) and Evelyne Barbier (France).

International Art Show and Film Festival: Beyond Our Boundaries, Day Two
2025-07-20 14:00 - 17:00
Second day of the International Art Show and Film Festival with showing of the Not So Short Film Festival Part Two at 2 pm.
The show continues weekends 12 to 3 or by appointment (gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org) until August 31. Also open during events.
Explore the uncharted territories of creativity at “Beyond Our Boundaries,” an international art show celebrating innovation and risk-taking in art and film. This exhibition brings together diverse artists from around the world who push the boundaries of conventional art forms, embracing new methods and mediums to inspire and challenge our perceptions.”
Featured film presentation: Not So Short Film Festival is a 5 hour compilation of films created by artists around the world during Covid-19, and previously screened online at the Ely Center for Contemporary Art. We are thrilled to be showing this work along with short films by filmmakers Irena Paskali (Macedonia and Germany) and Gabi Gusmao (Brazil).
Some of the featured artists: Tomek Kopeciwicz (Poland) and Evelyne Barbier (France).

International Art Show: Beyond Our Boundaries - Extended!
2025-07-26 11:00 - 2025-10-04 23:00
The International Art Show has been extended weekends 12 to 3, during performances, or by appointment (gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org) through October 4.
Explore the uncharted territories of creativity at “Beyond Our Boundaries,” an international art show celebrating innovation and risk-taking in art and film. This exhibition brings together diverse artists from around the world who push the boundaries of conventional art forms, embracing new methods and mediums to inspire and challenge our perceptions.”
The show begins July 19 and July 20 with a featured film presentation: Not So Short Film Festival, a 5 hour compilation of films created by artists around the world during Covid-19, and previously screened online at the Ely Center for Contemporary Art. We are thrilled to be showing this work along with short films by filmmakers Irena Paskali (Macedonia and Germany) and Gabi Gusmao (Brazil).
Some of the featured artists: Tomek Kopeciwicz (Poland) and Evelyne Barbier (France).

SOLD OUT! Seth Herzog and Company: A NIght of Comedy
2025-07-26 20:00 - 21:30
In a special appearance direct from New York!
Seth Herzog is a New York comedian who is a regular sketch performer and the resident comedian for NBC’s “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Enjoy a hilarious night of comedy at a time when late-night TV couldn’t be more relevant (but you don’t have to stay up for this).
Arrive at 7:45 to get a refreshment (one free drink with your ticket) downstairs in the Gallery, then amble upstairs for the show in the newly-named, air-conditioned Susie Crofut and Ben Luxon Theater. In the newly-named Garfield Family Gallery you’ll also see the sensational “Beyond Our Boundaries” International Art Show.
Cash bar for wine, beer, Alma del Jaguar tequila. First drink free with ticket. Soft drinks free.
Because one of Seth’s sponsors is the fabulous Alma del Jaguar tequila, we will be serving their sustainably sourced award-winning tequila along with the usual wine, beer, and soft drinks. Not only does Alma del Jaguar make world-class tequila, but the company is “committed to protecting one of North America’s most vital apex predators. As keystone species, jaguars maintain ecological balance, regulating prey populations and preserving biodiversity throughout their range. When we protect jaguars, we protect entire ecosystems.”
About Seth Herzog

To buy tickets, press the + for the number you want – then Get Tickets will work.

Mushroom Walk with John Wheeler
2025-08-23 10:00 - 12:00
Learn about and forage for mushrooms with expert mycologist John Wheeler, President, Berkshire Mycological Society.
Rain or shine (mushrooms like rain, bring an umbrella if it’s raining).
Bring a basket, a pair of gloves, and a suitable knife.
We’ll meet at the Arts Center and proceed from there.
Space limited!

Live from New York Cabaret, An Evening of Song
2025-09-13 19:30 - 21:30
Direct from Linda Mironti’s smash New York cabaret performance at Don’t Tell Mama, this musical journey features songs from jazz to Broadway and the Great American Songbook with Linda, Lennie Watts, Tracy Stark, and Deborah Zecher.
Prosecco and dessert will be served at intermission.
About the show:
“There’s a particular brand of magic that can only happen in the cozy intimacy of a cabaret room like Don’t Tell Mama—and on Thursday, May 8th, Linda Mironti delivered just that with her heartfelt and hilarious show, Perfectly Imperfect. Under the masterful direction of cabaret icon Lennie Watts, Mironti brought her audience on a journey that was equal parts musical memoir and love letter to resilience, all wrapped in the warm hug of winking humor, and genuine soul.” — Analisa Bell in Broadway World, May 14, 2025. Read the whole review.
Bringing the show to Sandisfield, Linda has added three other outstanding performers:
Lennie Watts, award-winning vocalist, director, producer.
Tracy Stark, pianist/arranger/conductor/singerSongwriter, an 16-time MAC Award winner, in the categories of Music Director, Piano Bar Entertainer, and Song of the Year.
Deborah Zecher, rabbi and much-awarded singer of the Great American Songbook.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sandisfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported bythe Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

We thank Domaney’s for their generous donation of Prosecco!

Four Fabulous Fridays - Open Mic Series
2025-09-19 19:00 - 20:30
Our open mic nights are the perfect venue for showcasing your talent. Seasoned performer or just starting out – bring your music, poetry, comedy, dance, or whatever creative talent you have to share.
Or just come to enjoy some live entertainment and get a new perspective on your neighbors!
Four Fridays June 20, July 18, August 15, and September 19 at 7 pm (Sign up begins at 6:30).
Free (Donations suggested)

Dave Maswick and Joel Brown in Concert
2025-10-04 19:00 - 21:00
TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF SEATS LEFT – Bring cash, check or credit card.
We’re thrilled to have longtime Sandisfield Arts Center favorite Joel Brown return, this time with Dave Maswick.
Maswick and Brown bring an exquisite evening of music to our Susie Crofut and Ben Luxon Theater. The performance features beautifully arranged harmony sincing over lush acoustic accompaniment highlighted by intricate guitar work.
Maswick and Brown’s expressive lead and solo vocals serve as perfect vehicles for their hook-laden, modern folk/pop and contemporary acoustic original songs. Brown is a classical guitarist who has been featured with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, at Tanglewood, with the Boston Pops, and on stages around the globe. Maswick was in the early MTV hit band Blotto, and has long played bass for The Stony Creek Band, a progressive country-bluegrass outfit. Combine these two seasoned musicians and you get an exquisite evening of music.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sandisfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported bythe Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF SEATS LEFT – Bring cash, check or credit card.

The Headless Horseman - Radio Mystery Hour with the Sandisfield Players - Price Reduced!
2025-10-25 19:00 - 21:00
Price reduction! Adults now $20. This is a family event and we hope you’ll bring the whole family.
(Anyone who already bought adult tickets will get a note re a refund at the door.)
Teens 13 – 19: $10.
Kids 12 and under: Free – but do reserve a free ticket below
The Sandisfield Players are back!
Join us for a spook-tacular radio play just in time for Halloween — the Headless Horseman!
An event for the whole family:
Online ticket sales stop at 5 pm. We may have space for a few walk-ins.

Pumpkin Painting and Open House - Free!
2025-10-26 12:00 - 14:00
We’re bringing back one of our most popular family events, safe and creative pumpkin painting for the whole family, in time for Halloween.
This is also an open house for the community, come meet friends and neighbors and watch Sandisfield youngsters exercise their creativity.
Pumpkins and refreshments provided.
We’ll have 18 pie (sugar) pumpkins, first come first served.

Hard Cider Tasting conducted by Tom Christopher with Music by Sally Terrell and Chris Casey
2025-11-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, MA, 01255, United States
Special offer for our community! A limited number of community tickets at $10. Choose Community Tickets below.
An introduction to the flavors and history of New England’s traditional beverage: hard cider. This is one of our most popular events, last held in 2019.
Long-time cider maker and enthusiast Tom Christopher will speak about the history of cider making in our region, and then invite the audience to taste a flight of ciders from a variety of makers, both amateur and professional, with cheese snacks from local cheesemongers
We’ll explore a range of flavors and styles of cider, from traditional New England farmhouse ciders made locally to European inspired ciders from some of the best cider houses in the region.
Sally Terrell
Singer Sally Terrell and pianist Chris Casey provide wonderful musical accompaniment.
Sally Terrell’s professional singing career may be a “second act” following thirty years as an English professor, but music has always been her first passion. Her first solo album, Just in Time (2019), features fresh takes on jazz standards and an original song, Blue Piano, written in tribute to her father. Her second release, Feel Alive (2022), “artfully captures the zeitgeist of the pandemic era with a collection of emotional, socially conscious originals and fresh interpretations of standards that uniquely fit our cultural moment.” Both projects highlight a fruitful collaboration with renowned jazz pianist John diMartino, who says of her work, “Sally brings a beautiful energy to these songs, breathing new life into them.” Terrell’s intuitive interpretations and razor-sharp ear showcase a velvety alto and a gift for sharing the timeless stories of jazz while boldly exploring her range across musical genres.
Jazz pianist Chris Casey is on the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford. An active pianist, composer and arranger, Chris has performed extensively throughout New England and the New York area. He has performed with such greats as Jackie McLean, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Claudio Roditi, Slide Hampton, Houston Person, Jacomo Gates, Bob Berg, Jimmy Greene, and Greg Banaszak.
Apple picture is from Yankee Magazine, “History of Hard Cider in New England,” August 23, 2010.

Harvest Gala
2025-11-15 18:00 - 21:00
Join us to enjoy a delicious, even “glorious” fall meal prepared by celebrated local chef, Adam Manacher. This is always a popular event and this year the entertainment will provide a behind the scenes peek at how the amazing sounds were created for the sold-out radio play, “The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow” presented in October by the Sandisfield Players.
Also – A preview of some highlights of our 2026 season.

Special Concert: Josh Luxon-Robinson Returns
2025-11-28 16:00 - 17:30
Josh Luxon-Robinson is the brilliant young pianist who has delighted our audiences for the last three years. This special Thanksgiving-weekend performance provdes a great and upllifting alternative to couch-sitting on the day after Thanksgiving.
Program (subject to change)
Liszt – Vallée d’Obermann
Medtner – Sonata Reminisicenza
Beethoven – Sonata in A flat Major, Op. 110
About Mr. Luxon-Robinson:
Josh Luxon-Robinson is a soloist and chamber musician, and recent graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he studied with James Kirby, supported by a scholarship. During his time there he participated in masterclasses and lessons for chamber, concerto and solo performance with a number of world class musicians, notably Peter Donohoe, Kathryn Stott and Angela Hewitt. Josh was the winner of the RWCMD’s Eric Hodges Beethoven Prize and the Bryan Davies Memorial Award for Accompanists in 2025. He is passionate about exploring the intricate details of the music he loves – he has done and continues to do so through lectures and masterclasses he’s given, notably for the piano society at Royal Holloway, University of London. Josh has performed as a soloist regularly in the US and UK and has enjoyed accompanying instrumentalists and singers as well as playing in piano trios and quartets. Upcoming performances include solo and chamber recitals in London, and a concert and masterclass for Skipton Music Festival.
Limited number of community tickets @ $10.
Online ticket sales close at 2 pm on November 28.

A Conversation with Simon Winchester about The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind
2025-11-29 16:00 - 17:30
New York Times Best-Selling Author Simon Winchester talks about and reads from his new hot-off-the-presses book, The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind.
This special event is free but donations are encouraged.
From the November 18 New York Times review:
“As Simon Winchester writes in his delightful new book, “The Breath of the Gods,” these invisible currents of air shape our lives in myriad ways. A peripatetic polymath who has written books about everything from the Oxford English Dictionary to the San Francisco earthquake to a journey up the Yangtze River, Winchester weaves geology, meteorology, etymology and history into a jaunty survey of wind’s incarnations and permutations.”
And from the book description on Amazon:
Simon Winchester returns with a thought-provoking history of the wind, written in his edifying and entertaining style.
What is going on with our atmosphere? The headlines are filled with news of devastating hurricanes, murderous tornadoes, and cataclysmic fires affecting large swaths of America. Gale force advisories are issued on a regular basis by the National Weather Service.
In 2022, a report was released by atmospheric scientists at the University of Northern Illinois, warning that winds—the force at the center of all these dangerous natural events—are expected to steadily increase in the years ahead, strengthening in power, speed, and frequency.
While this prediction worried the insurance industry, governmental leaders, scientists, and conscientious citizens, one particular segment of society received it with unbridled enthusiasm. To the energy industry, rising wind strength and speeds as an unalloyed boon for humankind—a vital source of clean and “safe” power.
Between these two poles—wind as a malevolent force, and wind as savior of our planet—lies a world of fascination, history, literature, science, poetry, and engineering which Simon Winchester explores with the curiosity and vigor that are the hallmarks of his bestselling works. In The Breath of the Gods, he explains how wind plays a part in our everyday lives, from airplane or car travel to the “natural disasters” that are becoming more frequent and regular.
The Breath of the Gods is an urgently-needed portrait across time of that unseen force—unseen but not unfelt—that respects no national borders and no vessel or structure in its path. Wind, the movement of the air, is seen by so many as a heavenly creation and generally a thing of essential goodness. But when it flexes its invisible muscles, all should take care and be very afraid.
Books will be available for purchase after the talk. The author will be available to autograph copies.

Call for Art - Daniel Manacher Young Artists Prize - Deadline Extended
2026-01-01 08:00 - 2026-05-22 23:30
Above: By the Swing, Inspired by Yinka Shonibare’s The Swing (After Fragonard) by Enaya A. Ogletree one of the 2025 winners.
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 22.
The Sandisfield Arts Center is pleased to announce the 5th annual Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists. Up to three artists will be selected as finalists and will each receive $400 in support of their art practice, as well as a group show of their work at the Sandisfield Arts Center in the 2026 Gallery season.
The prize is generously funded by the parents of Daniel Manacher in memory of their son and his passion for art. Please read the eligibility and application requirements carefully before submitting for the prize. Direct any questions to gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org
Judge: Virginia Overton. Overton is a distinguished American artist known for her site-specific and sculpture works that often incorporate found or readymade objects. In 2018 she was the first female artist to have a solo exhibition at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens, New York. She has work in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
More about the prize and past recipients.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Entry Deadline: May 22 by 11:30 pm
Applicants will be notified no later than June 30 via email
Exhibition dates: Bi-ennial exhibit in 2026: Opening reception Sunday August 16
2025 winners whose work will be included: Elizabeth Cheng, Enaya A. Ogletree, Annie Scott, Evelyn Vollmer
Entry Requirements: Eligible artists are those 17-26 yrs of age who reside or go to school in Berkshire County We are actively seeking inclusivity to all those wishing to apply. If any technical assistance due to lack of access to a computer, camera, or internet at home is needed to complete your application, please contact gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org. There is no fee associated with the application and all entrants will be judged based solely on the merit of the work presented.
Accepted Media: We are currently accepting applications from those working in painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, and other works on paper, and sculpture. We are unable to accept photography, video, sound or purely digital art at this time. Digital work that will be printed for display on a wall can be considered.
Work Size: No piece can exceed 60” in any direction, and sculptures must be under 60lbs. Artists are responsible for all transportation of the work. All artwork should have been created in the past 3 years.
IMAGE REQUIREMENTS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Please submit through Google form (see link below) 5 high resolution images of work with up to 5 supporting images of details or various perspectives for 3D art (no more than 10 images total).

Images should be presented in JPEG format with resolution set to 300 dpi, with the longest side no more than 1500pixels.

Title each image file according to this format: LastName_FirstName_imagenumber (ex. Harris_Jade_01.jpg)
Please include a separate document (either Word or pdf) with the image list. The image numbers must correspond to the jpegs submitted and follow this format: 01: Title, Year completed. Media, Size in inches(Height x Width or Height x Width x Depth for 3D work); Ex: Sunset, 2021. Acrylic paint on canvas, 15×11 inches. Please label the image list file LastName_FirstName_ImageList (ex. Harris_Jade_ImageList)
In one additional document (either Word or pdf) include: Contact information (name, phone number, email, mailing address), artist resume (if applicable), educational background, bio (no more than 150 words), and artist’s statement (no more than 250 words). Please label this file as LastName_FirstName_Artist Info (ex. Harris_Jade_Artist Info)

How to submit: Use this Google form: https://forms.gle/Eqr5mrPimjKnZufg7
Selection Process: The applications will be reviewed by the contest judge, Virginia Overton.
Publicity: All finalists will be promoted in local press publications and Sandisfield Arts Center communications.
Contact: Please reach out to Josie Miner at gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org with any questions regarding the application process

Season Opening - Anni Crofut's Family Cabaret! - Sold Out
2026-05-02 19:00 - 21:00
A hilarious, romping evening of madcap mischief, song, dance, comedy, fiddle, yo yo, ukes, jazz and more. This family-friendly variety show provides a professional community theater experience replete with talent, hilarity and soul. More than 25 actors and performers will grace the stage.
Eight hilarious sketches led by Master of Ceremonies Anni Crofut will precede eight acts by such local luminaries as Yo-Yo comedian John Higby, Tom Truss’ Spontaneous Combustion improv ensemble, the Berkshire Ukulele Group, fiddle-player Maggie Holtzberg, Cabaret singer Linda Mironti, and solo jazz guitarist Lucas Solarzano, among others. Cabarets in years past have seen appearances by the likes of internationally renowned opera singer Benjamin Luxon, Comedienne Alison Larkin, slam poetry champion Taylor Mali and the dance company of Moving Arts Exchange.
When a community cabaret takes place in a creative hotspot populated by talented local residents — many of whom are also professional performers — the result is an evening that reaches new standards of family entertainment.
Tip: Click the + sign to select the number of tickets you want, then click the Get Tickets button. You can select both adult and child (12 and under) tickets.
