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IS 183 Art School – Color a World
Posted by Kaitlyn in Arts & Culture, Events
Some amazing pieces for sale - Photo: Kaitlyn Squires
IS 183 is an art school located in Stockbridge that I have only recently discovered in the past 2 months. It is a non-profit community art school focused on creating an enriching environment for people of all ages and skill sets. I personally am extremely interested in the jewelry making class which will introduce me to some of the basic techniques, mold making, and tools as well as cover things like sawing, soldering, forming, surface texturing, chain making, simple stone setting and finishing. I have always been a huge fan of jewelry, it is one of my favorite things to window shop for so to be able to spend creative time contriving unique pieces to swoon over in a beautiful setting like the old reclaimed school house in Stockbridge seems like time well spent!
IS 183's Color a World Art Sale. Photo: Kaitlyn Squires
Each year IS 183 gives away thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students that need some extra help. In order to help offer this service the school holds an annual scholarship art sale full of some of the finest ceramics, jewelry, and paintings just to name a few. Last Friday was the opening night for the scholarship sale and I got a chance to check it out and take a few pictures while mingling and checking out the goodies. Initially I was hoping to start some of my holiday shopping but the only shopping that got done was for myself, however i felt justified knowing that I was purchasing something beneficial to others being the scholarship art sale that it was.
Delicious food by Pronto. Photo: Kaitlyn Squires
If all of the beautiful things for sale weren’t enough, the scholarship sale was also filled with food by Pronto Cooking School and some of the most delicious drinks I have ever tasted by Berkshire Mountain Distillers. To add to the creative ambiance was the classical jazz voice of Kathryn Anderson and Ben Kohn on piano. Throughout the evening I got the chance to chat with the artists while they explained the delicate processes of creating their works and a little bit about themselves.
Something for everyone at IS 183. Photo: Kaitlyn Squires
I am very excited to find out how much the school was able to raise for it’s scholarship and to look more into the classes I want to take. I recently got the chance to start working with IS 183 as their press and publicity coordinator and I am very proud to be part of such a positive influential place in the Berkshires. I encourage anyone even slightly interested in the arts to stop by the IS183.org website and check out some of the newly added winter classes and workshops in ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, jewelry making, and many other interesting topics. I personally will be attending the Monday evening jewelry making class that starts at the end of February, I hope that you can join me for some great art in a beautiful setting!
Kaitlyn, photographer, born in Pittsfield, entrepreneur, empathetic, born on the cusp (February 18), Mild addiction to Facebook and my iPhone, chocoholic, <3's the ocean and tropical islands, engaged to the love of my life on a tropical island, love my 14 year old kitty like my child, favorite season is Autumn. 
It amazes me the number of entities in the Berkshires that cater to the arts. I never would have imagined this when visiting as a young person 40+ years ago!