"To enter the world of the Phantasmic, the subconscious must be probed. We
must look for the ancestors, the fantasies, the myths and specters that have been
with us forever. I was greatly influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and especially
fascinated by the people Tarzan called the Mangani, an unseen race of
Phantasms, who take a form that mere humans cannot obtain. Portraying their
physical existence is to be one with the Mangani."
must look for the ancestors, the fantasies, the myths and specters that have been
with us forever. I was greatly influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and especially
fascinated by the people Tarzan called the Mangani, an unseen race of
Phantasms, who take a form that mere humans cannot obtain. Portraying their
physical existence is to be one with the Mangani."
"My influences come from
Renaissance Masters, Piero di
Cosimo’s composition and
balance, Tintoretto’s magnificent
super humans, the surrealism of
Hans Bellmer and Paul Deleveaux’
s women on silent streets. My
work for 'Night Shift', Labor Day,
permanently resides at East Cost
Refinishing. It is a tribute to the
superhuman blue-collar workers
who are the backbone of Pittsfield."
Renaissance Masters, Piero di
Cosimo’s composition and
balance, Tintoretto’s magnificent
super humans, the surrealism of
Hans Bellmer and Paul Deleveaux’
s women on silent streets. My
work for 'Night Shift', Labor Day,
permanently resides at East Cost
Refinishing. It is a tribute to the
superhuman blue-collar workers
who are the backbone of Pittsfield."
Born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, FX began painting in oil at an early age after graduating from Vesper
George School of Art in Boston, MA and later received his MFA from Arizona State University. FX’s murals
can currently be seen at New York-New York Hotel and Casino and the Southern Highland Resort in Las
Vegas, NV as well as the Mesa Southwest Museum in Mesa, AZ. FX’s work has also been featured at the
Paper Heart Gallery and Fate Fine Art Gallery in Phoenix, AZ, and in Los Angeles, CA at the Otis Art
Institute and Los Angeles Southwest College. A resident of Tempe, AZ, FX has designed sets and props
for the NFL’s Super Bowl festivities for the past six years, in addition to having his work appear on album
covers of recording artist, Billy Idol. You can view more of FX's art at his website www.fxtobinartwork.com
George School of Art in Boston, MA and later received his MFA from Arizona State University. FX’s murals
can currently be seen at New York-New York Hotel and Casino and the Southern Highland Resort in Las
Vegas, NV as well as the Mesa Southwest Museum in Mesa, AZ. FX’s work has also been featured at the
Paper Heart Gallery and Fate Fine Art Gallery in Phoenix, AZ, and in Los Angeles, CA at the Otis Art
Institute and Los Angeles Southwest College. A resident of Tempe, AZ, FX has designed sets and props
for the NFL’s Super Bowl festivities for the past six years, in addition to having his work appear on album
covers of recording artist, Billy Idol. You can view more of FX's art at his website www.fxtobinartwork.com
"I do not make art meant to hang over a couch or a favorite TV
chair. I want you to feel human each time you look at it;
conjuring up emotions like tenderness, wry humor, irony,
dignity, indignity, joy and anger."
chair. I want you to feel human each time you look at it;
conjuring up emotions like tenderness, wry humor, irony,
dignity, indignity, joy and anger."
"Rocks, boulders and slabs, twisted roots and saplings, hay and vines find their way into my
art, merging with steel, clay, wax and cement, and spill over onto canvas and paper. I love to
have my hands in a range of physical media, its textural and tactile, and my subject matter
ranges from fleeing refugees to dancing children, a sleeping form or men engrossed in a
card game. I am inspired most by the powers of nature and the dignity of humans, the irony
of human potential and irrational behavior. A few joined sticks and twists of hay and string
can become a joyful expression of maternal love or the paralyzing fear of a mother fleeing
her homeland with a starving child in her arms. The arbitrary cruelties of nature and cruelties
contrived by humans are ironic parallels."
art, merging with steel, clay, wax and cement, and spill over onto canvas and paper. I love to
have my hands in a range of physical media, its textural and tactile, and my subject matter
ranges from fleeing refugees to dancing children, a sleeping form or men engrossed in a
card game. I am inspired most by the powers of nature and the dignity of humans, the irony
of human potential and irrational behavior. A few joined sticks and twists of hay and string
can become a joyful expression of maternal love or the paralyzing fear of a mother fleeing
her homeland with a starving child in her arms. The arbitrary cruelties of nature and cruelties
contrived by humans are ironic parallels."
Mike lives and works on a hand built farmstead in Plainfield, MA where
much of his media is collected from the forest and fields surrounding his
home. A MFA recipient from the University of Massachusetts Amherst,
Mike’s work has appeared at such Berkshire institutions as the Clark Art
Museum in Williamstown, Jacob’s Pillow in Becket and Santarella, the
historic home of sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson in Tyringham. In addition
to his showings in the Berkshires, Mike’s work has also been featured at
the Bitten End in Northampton, MA and Art Street in Philadelphia, PA.
much of his media is collected from the forest and fields surrounding his
home. A MFA recipient from the University of Massachusetts Amherst,
Mike’s work has appeared at such Berkshire institutions as the Clark Art
Museum in Williamstown, Jacob’s Pillow in Becket and Santarella, the
historic home of sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson in Tyringham. In addition
to his showings in the Berkshires, Mike’s work has also been featured at
the Bitten End in Northampton, MA and Art Street in Philadelphia, PA.
"I was attracted early on by abstract freedom and form, and have been an abstract
colorist all my life. I tend to work on big canvas, big spaces, art that creates and affects its
environment. Fresco brings it all together for me; color, shape, size, texture and dimension.
And fresco is an historic public form, not necessarily hung in homes and galleries. I think it’s
important that people see color and shape in their daily surroundings. Fresco gives me an
opportunity to present it that way."
colorist all my life. I tend to work on big canvas, big spaces, art that creates and affects its
environment. Fresco brings it all together for me; color, shape, size, texture and dimension.
And fresco is an historic public form, not necessarily hung in homes and galleries. I think it’s
important that people see color and shape in their daily surroundings. Fresco gives me an
opportunity to present it that way."
A career fireman and former Navy Seabee, Jay earned a BFA from the University of
Massachusetts Amherst. A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, MA, Jay was one of the
artistsassembled to compose and paint murals throughout the City. Jay collaborated on
murals that paid tribute to the City’s police and fire departments. In addition to his
murals, Jay’s paintings have been featured at Berkshire Artisans and First Agricultural
Bank in Pittsfield, Herter Gallery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Dan
Schiavone Gallery in Baltimore, MD.
Massachusetts Amherst. A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, MA, Jay was one of the
artistsassembled to compose and paint murals throughout the City. Jay collaborated on
murals that paid tribute to the City’s police and fire departments. In addition to his
murals, Jay’s paintings have been featured at Berkshire Artisans and First Agricultural
Bank in Pittsfield, Herter Gallery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Dan
Schiavone Gallery in Baltimore, MD.
"I’ve worked with metal for years in industry,
and my engineering career has given me
technical skills that come into play with fine
line design and dimension."
A field services engineering manager for GL&V, an international manufacturer for pulp and paper making
machinery, Mark has worked in countries across the globe erecting factories from China to Ecuador. His work
takes him around the world, expanding his sense of shape and design, but the disciplines and influences of more
than 30 years of industrial work are hard to ignore. Mark resides in the beautiful wooded surrounds of Becket,
MA.
machinery, Mark has worked in countries across the globe erecting factories from China to Ecuador. His work
takes him around the world, expanding his sense of shape and design, but the disciplines and influences of more
than 30 years of industrial work are hard to ignore. Mark resides in the beautiful wooded surrounds of Becket,
MA.
"I was influenced by the gothic art, pop media and movies.
Gargoyles and Godzilla, dragons and the Creature From the Black
Lagoon."
Gargoyles and Godzilla, dragons and the Creature From the Black
Lagoon."
"Parades and public festival fascinate me. Even the most jaded viewer is spellbound by a
parade of creatures. Creature making and puppetry are ancient forms of expression that excite
people all over the world. Myths from every culture include monsters. Gargoyles, griffins and
incubi played a bigger, more significant role in the human experience until recent history. But
they still exist in the collective psyche."
parade of creatures. Creature making and puppetry are ancient forms of expression that excite
people all over the world. Myths from every culture include monsters. Gargoyles, griffins and
incubi played a bigger, more significant role in the human experience until recent history. But
they still exist in the collective psyche."
A former educator in the Pittsfield public school system, Bill has designed and fabricated
hundreds of characters and creatures now inhabiting the Northeast. In addition to his creature
comforts, Bill has also mastered the molding of the concrete form into various reliefs and tables
that are beyond ordinary design. Bill has also recently began experimenting with the free flying
form of mobiles. Commissioned by the State of New York in 2003, Bill also created “Effie”, the
“spokesperson” for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) statewide promotion and advertising campaign for energy efficient appliances. Bill
has also designed floats and sets for numerous parades, events and plays across the region.
Email Bill at wtobin@berkshire.rr.com.
hundreds of characters and creatures now inhabiting the Northeast. In addition to his creature
comforts, Bill has also mastered the molding of the concrete form into various reliefs and tables
that are beyond ordinary design. Bill has also recently began experimenting with the free flying
form of mobiles. Commissioned by the State of New York in 2003, Bill also created “Effie”, the
“spokesperson” for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) statewide promotion and advertising campaign for energy efficient appliances. Bill
has also designed floats and sets for numerous parades, events and plays across the region.
Email Bill at wtobin@berkshire.rr.com.
"Born into a very visually expressive family, I was constantly
introduced to and surrounded by new art. I naturally began creating my
own at an early age, and was always experimenting with different media and forms.
I made jewelry, designed tee shirts, whipped out greeting cards and loved making
collages. After high school, I took different college courses, but was still exploring
and learning media. I travel all through the U.S and have lived in London, Spain,
France and have spent time in Cuba. Changing environments truly opened my eye
to objects in their surroundings, evolving naturally into photography."
introduced to and surrounded by new art. I naturally began creating my
own at an early age, and was always experimenting with different media and forms.
I made jewelry, designed tee shirts, whipped out greeting cards and loved making
collages. After high school, I took different college courses, but was still exploring
and learning media. I travel all through the U.S and have lived in London, Spain,
France and have spent time in Cuba. Changing environments truly opened my eye
to objects in their surroundings, evolving naturally into photography."
"I admire the work of Walker Evans, Diane Arbus and Robert Frank and that the idea that the
common, everyday, dilapidated and under appreciated makes powerful statements and
unforgettable images. I’m always looking for my next shot."
common, everyday, dilapidated and under appreciated makes powerful statements and
unforgettable images. I’m always looking for my next shot."
Having moved to Brooklyn, NY after years in Los Angeles, CA, Jesse continues to further her career in graphic design
and photography. A native of Pittsfield, MA, Jesse studied graphic design and photography at Los Angeles’ Otis
College after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Having worked for both BIRD Design and EMI
Records in Los Angeles, Jesse was involved in numerous projects featuring some of EMI’s top recording artists
including, Radiohead, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones. Besides graphic design and photography, Jesse
produces a line of greeting cards that have been featured at stores and museums across the region, including the
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams, MA. www.jessetobinart.com
and photography. A native of Pittsfield, MA, Jesse studied graphic design and photography at Los Angeles’ Otis
College after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Having worked for both BIRD Design and EMI
Records in Los Angeles, Jesse was involved in numerous projects featuring some of EMI’s top recording artists
including, Radiohead, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones. Besides graphic design and photography, Jesse
produces a line of greeting cards that have been featured at stores and museums across the region, including the
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams, MA. www.jessetobinart.com
"Once upon a time in the real world...
I grew up in Pittsfield and began my storytelling career in my parent's basement with crayons, and
directing Play Doh characters and sock puppets. Drama and fiction still consume most of my time,
but now I prefer Final Cut, SAG performers and writing novels. I have been most influenced by T.
C. Boyle, Mark Helprin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Terrence Malik."
I grew up in Pittsfield and began my storytelling career in my parent's basement with crayons, and
directing Play Doh characters and sock puppets. Drama and fiction still consume most of my time,
but now I prefer Final Cut, SAG performers and writing novels. I have been most influenced by T.
C. Boyle, Mark Helprin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Terrence Malik."
"It’s a privilege to have worked with the Group W artists for most of my life. I cannot
measure how much their commitment to free thought and expression has positively
affected my own story arc."
measure how much their commitment to free thought and expression has positively
affected my own story arc."
Mike graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BA in English and went on to study creative writing and film
production at NYU. He has been a copywriter with Young & Rubicam and Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agencies, and
Creative Director on numerous multimedia stage shows for IBM, Glaxo Smith Kline, AT&T and a multiple of others. He
taught Mass Communications at the City College of New York for five years. His screenplay for Camus' Shoes won
WorldFest Film Gold Award for Best Original Drama and he recently wrote and produced Sea of Nod an enchanting, 21
song musical based on Rip Van Winkle that gets the house up and rocking. Published in this country and abroad, he has
written two collections of short stories, three novels and just completed a fourth novel, Out With The Big Dogs. He and his
wife Liz live in New York City and Stephentown, NY.
production at NYU. He has been a copywriter with Young & Rubicam and Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agencies, and
Creative Director on numerous multimedia stage shows for IBM, Glaxo Smith Kline, AT&T and a multiple of others. He
taught Mass Communications at the City College of New York for five years. His screenplay for Camus' Shoes won
WorldFest Film Gold Award for Best Original Drama and he recently wrote and produced Sea of Nod an enchanting, 21
song musical based on Rip Van Winkle that gets the house up and rocking. Published in this country and abroad, he has
written two collections of short stories, three novels and just completed a fourth novel, Out With The Big Dogs. He and his
wife Liz live in New York City and Stephentown, NY.
"I’ve been a filmmaker in Los Angeles for many years, directing
commercials, television series and documentaries. My creative foundation
began here in the Berkshires in fine arts and theatre at Berkshire Community
College. In addition to photography and painting, my personal works include
short films driven by music and graphics."
commercials, television series and documentaries. My creative foundation
began here in the Berkshires in fine arts and theatre at Berkshire Community
College. In addition to photography and painting, my personal works include
short films driven by music and graphics."
"I am inspired by an eclectic
group of artists from NC Wyeth
to Jerry Uelsmann to John Ford.
And I feel a particular connection
to this event because I not only
went to high school and college
with many of these artists, but I
grew up about 500 yards ‘across
the tracks’ from the Group W
home at East Coast Refinishing."
group of artists from NC Wyeth
to Jerry Uelsmann to John Ford.
And I feel a particular connection
to this event because I not only
went to high school and college
with many of these artists, but I
grew up about 500 yards ‘across
the tracks’ from the Group W
home at East Coast Refinishing."
hundreds of commercials for a wide range of clients. He produced and directed a 30-minute award
winning film entitled “CAMUS’ SHOES,” written by Mike Clary and starring another Berkshire native,
Kevin Yon. He also wrote, directed and edited an award-winning feature length documentary on the late
comedian, Sam Kinison, which ran on HBO. Recently, Carroll co-created and directed the pilot for
“PEACEMAKERS,” a western series starring Tom Berenger, for USA Cable. He currently lives in
Hermosa Beach, California with his wife Linda and daughters, Celina and Nicky.
winning film entitled “CAMUS’ SHOES,” written by Mike Clary and starring another Berkshire native,
Kevin Yon. He also wrote, directed and edited an award-winning feature length documentary on the late
comedian, Sam Kinison, which ran on HBO. Recently, Carroll co-created and directed the pilot for
“PEACEMAKERS,” a western series starring Tom Berenger, for USA Cable. He currently lives in
Hermosa Beach, California with his wife Linda and daughters, Celina and Nicky.
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I've also had a lot of experience painting public murals, a natural marriage of my love for shape and color. For the
last several years I’ve been experimenting more with texture, depth and dimension, using different, sometimes
unorthodox mediums that allow overlay, stacking and troweling techniques. In one of my favorite pieces I used oils,
sand and bone."
last several years I’ve been experimenting more with texture, depth and dimension, using different, sometimes
unorthodox mediums that allow overlay, stacking and troweling techniques. In one of my favorite pieces I used oils,
sand and bone."
Carroll started directing commercials
for Sundog Productions, a company
he founded in 1984. With offices in
Detroit and Los Angeles, he directed
for Sundog Productions, a company
he founded in 1984. With offices in
Detroit and Los Angeles, he directed
"The Night Shift fresco
debued in 2005. It makes the
wall disappear, and brings
you into a private dimension
of color, contour and depth."
debued in 2005. It makes the
wall disappear, and brings
you into a private dimension
of color, contour and depth."
"As my welding techniques develop, I experiment with different media
and composition. Steel taken out of daily context can become
something else. I particularly admire Richard Stankiewitcz and David
Smith and enjoy Calder’s sense of entertainment. I find comfort in
rigidity of line, form and substance. I’m still learning, developing,
making new composition, and have a huge amount of fun working at
East Coast. My 2005 Night Shift piece, Air and Water, moves air,
water and sound into the steel. It’s got Zen. I've worked on many
pieces over the winter that I am excited to show at this years opening."
and composition. Steel taken out of daily context can become
something else. I particularly admire Richard Stankiewitcz and David
Smith and enjoy Calder’s sense of entertainment. I find comfort in
rigidity of line, form and substance. I’m still learning, developing,
making new composition, and have a huge amount of fun working at
East Coast. My 2005 Night Shift piece, Air and Water, moves air,
water and sound into the steel. It’s got Zen. I've worked on many
pieces over the winter that I am excited to show at this years opening."