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