Insight Out

What’s it about?

Insight Out is a partnership between Second Street Second Chances, Inc. (2nd Street) and Berkshire Museum that will result in a juried exhibition at the museum of visual art created by presently or formerly incarcerated individuals in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  The exhibition will open to the public on September 2, 2023, and close on October 1, 2023.

Insight Out is a companion initiative to Using Our Outside Voices that will result in the publication of a collection of poetry, short fiction, and other literary work and Hear Me Out, engaging presently or formerly incarcerated individuals in the creation of a live, full-length show integrating real-life stories, music, and movement. The exhibition of Insight Out, the book launch for Using Our Outside Voices, and the performances of Hear Me Out will take place in September, 2023.

Who qualifies?

Any presently or formerly incarcerated resident of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

How do I submit my work?

All work must be submitted as a .jpg or .png attachment to an email sent to 2ndStreetArt@berkshiremuseum.org.  If you need help submitting your work, stop by 2nd Street at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield, MA, with your artwork, and we will help you.  The file name should be the title of the work.  The email should include the following information:

• Your name (as it will appear on the object label)
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number:
• Title of work (as it will appear on the object label)
• Medium
• Dimensions in inches
• Insurance value

Videos must be submitted as a link: do not submit as an email attachment.

The deadline for submission is July 1, 2023.  Submitters will be notified by July 15, 2023.  Artists whose work is accepted must deliver their art to Berkshire Museum between August 14 and August 25, 2023.  Artists may submit up to three works for consideration.

Two-dimensional work (painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, and photography) may not be larger than 4’ x 4’, including framing, and three-dimensional work (sculpture of all media) may not be larger than 24” x 24” x 12” and may not weigh more than 100 pounds.  Videos will be reviewed but limited to available monitors at the time of exhibition.

Will my work be included in the exhibition?

Submissions will be reviewed, and selection for exhibition made, by a panel of four people consisting of Berkshire Museum’s Exhibition Manager, one formerly incarcerated individual, and two other people with relevant expertise selected by Berkshire Museum.  The jury will consider both the technical quality of the work and its effectiveness in communicating the artist’s message.

Artists whose work is included in the exhibition will receive a cash award of $200 from 2nd Street.  The exhibition will open to the public on September 2, 2023, and close on October 1, 2023.  Artists will be invited to attend the opening reception on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and participate in public programming about the exhibition in September, 2023, if asked to do so.

If the artist wishes, their work may be purchased by members of the public following the close of the exhibition.  In addition, 2nd Street will have a purchase fund to acquire works for installation in its program space.

All artwork must be picked up between October 9 and October 13, 2023.  Any artwork not picked up is subject to disposal by the museum without further notice to the artist.

Berkshire Museum and 2nd Street reserve the right to photograph and video any submitted work for documentary, educational, and marketing purposes.

Can I get help with my artwork?

2nd Street is offering a Drawing Workshop on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at 264 Second Street in Pittsfield from April 4, 2023, through May 23, 2023.  The workshops will be led by Phyllis Kornfeld, who has taught art in correctional facilities for 40 years, including at the Berkshire County Jail, and is the author of Cellblock Visions:  Prison Art in America (Princeton University).

You can register for the workshop by calling (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275.  Materials will be provided.