BOSTON – State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) is seeking local artists to participate in art shows in Boston and downtown Pittsfield.
Downing, along with his Senate colleagues with office space on the 4 East wing of the State House, have secured the approval of the Office of the Senate President to decorate their 4th floor hallway walls with creative works by artists who live in their districts.
Thousands of visitors come to the Massachusetts State House each week. The building, which is both the seat of state government and a historic attraction, is known as “the People’s House” and is open to the public Monday through Friday. Free tours are given daily during business hours.
The 4 East exhibition will be installed on June 15th by the Senate Business Office; it is scheduled to be on display for six months.
Other participating offices include those of Senator Joan Lovely (D- Salem), Senator John Keenan (D- Quincy), Senator Barbara L’Italien (D- Andover) and Senator Kenneth Donnelly (D- Arlington).
Additionally, since 2007 Downing’s Local Artist Exhibition Program has provided artists from the 52 communities in his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District two venues to display their work: his Pittsfield and State House offices. Downing is currently seeking new artists to showcase in Pittsfield.
Artists interested in participating in this program are asked to contact Bethann Steiner, the Senator’s chief of staff, at [email protected] by May 26th with electronic images of the wall art they wish to display.
Each artist is responsible for insuring their work; neither Downing nor the Massachusetts Senate will be held responsible in the unlikely event of damage or loss.
Artists are responsible for transporting their items to Pittsfield or Boston for installation.
