REVIEW AND RENEW
Spend a week in the Berkshire Mountains to explore your past, present and future
through writing, dancing, painting, music and drama.
You will be one of only ten adults (ages 55+) working with three nationally known artist/teachers.
There will also be time to relax under a tree, walk down to the lake, ride a bike to nearby mill towns, explore the historic property, or take in world class theatre, music and dance a short drive away.
This will be a retreat opportunity to create a story of your life up to this point and a new story for moving forward --- through the arts. Winding from individual reflection to group activity, from one art mode to another, the week will culminate in a sharing of performances/products of the work that was created. No prior experience in the arts is necessary, just a willingness to play. The evenings will include special guests, talks, games, and opportunities to share favorite exercises with others. At least one evening will be an optional trip to one of the cultural centers nearby.
BERKSHIRE LIVING HISTORY arts CENTER
1,300 acres in the heart of the lush, historic, cultural hub of the Berkshire Mountains (click on images)
Dates
Sunday, August 13 - Arrive
Monday - Friday, August 14-18 Program
Friday, August 18 - Departure
Saturday - Sunday, August 19-20 (DIY for extra fee)
Draft Schedule
8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast
9:30 -10:30 Dance
11:00-12:00 Drama
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Writing
2:30-3:30 Painting
3:30 - 6:30 Free Time
6:30-8:00 Dinner
8:00 - Special Events
The Staff
Stuart Kandell, Ph.D., has been called a "Global Pioneer of Creative Aging". He is founder of Stagebridge Theatre for Older Adults, teacher and workshop leader around the world.
Susan Perlstein is the "Grandmother of the Creative Aging Movement". Founder of Elders Share the Arts and the National Center for Creative Aging, she travels the world speaking, teaching and advocating.
Anthony Hyatt is a violinist, speaker and teaching artist who works with many health care and human service providers in the Washington, DC, area.
Berkshire Living History arts Center
History
BLHAC is a new non-profit membership organization that brings together individuals and organizations to celebrate the history and culture of the Berkshires through the arts. We provide opportunities to serve older people and their communities, and to generate new pathways to build our communities.
Location
BLHAC is ideally located in the foothills of Mt. Greylock. The 1,300 acres of land is a historic landmark, the past home of Farnams Quarry and Mill. The Appalachian trail runs through the land and offers beautiful hiking opportunities. Cheshire Lake provides boating, fishing and swimming. BLHAC is about a half-hour from Williamstown Theater, Clark Museum, Mass MOCA, Tanglewood, Kripalu, and more.
summer programs
Teaching Artist Retreat directed by Artful Aging August 7-11 A retreat for a small group of nationally renown teaching artists who work with older adults. By invitation only.
Chart Your Life Story Camp directed by Artful Aging August 13-18
Camp offers high-caliber arts programming that ignites creative expression, cultivates elders' role as bearers of history and culture,
and generates new pathways to connect them to their communities.
Summer Stage at Heron Cove, Cheshire Lake TBA (concerts by the lake) Summer Stage will present local talent on Sunday’s from 4-6 at Heron Grove. The dates have not yet been set.
info@BLHAC.org
Summer Intergenerational Camp TBA Minerva Arts Center will conduct a theater camp in August for youth of all a ges. www. MinervaArtsCenter.org
Facilities
Main House
All bedrooms are on the second floor and in the attic
Room one: Queen sized bed with dresser, closet and desk. views overlooking the field
Room Two: Queen Sized bed with dresser, closet and views overlooking the field
Room Three: Two single beds with dresser and closet.
Room Four: Two single beds with dresser and closet
Attic: Two single beds with dresser.
There are four bathrooms
Attic, 2 on bedroom floor, main floor
Hill House
Bedrooms on the second floor by stairs
King bed with bureau and closet and view of woods
Bedroom with two single beds, dresser and closet and view of woods
Bedroom with standard bed , closet and view of woods.
One bathroom on the entrance level.
Getting There
From New York City: Driving takes about 4 hours; Amtrak to Albany 4 1/2 hours, then 45 minutes to Pittsfield; Bus to Pittsfield 6 hours
From Albany: bus is 45 minutes
From Boston: train to Albany 4 hours
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Fees/Reservations/questions
Fee includes:
- All Programs
- Room (shared) 5 days (arrival Sunday afternoon, Aug 13, departure Friday morning, Aug 18)
- Food (all meals) 5 days (Sunday evening through Friday morning)
Fee $1,000
Deposit $200 (non refundable after June 1, 2017)
Balance due June 1, 2017
Send Check to Berkshire Living History Arts Center
858 Lanesboro Road, Cheshire, MA 01225
Refund Policy: June 1-July 1 50%; after July 1 - no refund