The Brothership Building Window curated by IS183 Art School of the Berkshires will feature Happy Together by Kim Waterman’s Students at the Adult Learning Center for the month of November.
ARTIST BIO: Kim Waterman holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design, an Art Education certification from Bank Street College, and an MSEd from Hunter College. She has been teaching adults and children of all ages in a variety of settings for over 30 years, including the past 20 years at IS183. Kim is an educator, artist, and dancer, bringing the creative arts into local schools and into the lives of Berkshire families year-round. Her choreography and art have been shown in NYC and Great Barrington.
Artist Bios from the Students at the Adult Learning Center
Anny Urquizo came to the Berkshires after 15 years in Ecuador. She enjoys watching tv, taking walks, and spending time with her family. Her favorite place in the Berkshires is the Pittsfield State Forest. She enjoyed working on the collages during art class and is grateful to be able to learn something new every day.
Reina Lisseth Esperanza arrived in the Berkshires 6 months ago from El Salvador. Her favorite place in the Berkshires is Onota Lake. Having art class has given her a sense of relaxation and freedom from all of the stresses in life. She enjoys creating perfume, art, and poems in her spare time and is most proud of her son.
Gerardo Gonzalez 3 years and 7 months ago came to the Berkshires from Costa Rica. He loves watching documentaries on TV and his favorite spot in the Berkshires is Lake Onota. He loved being able to use his imagination in art class and appreciates the diversity in the learning process. Gerardo is a persistent fighter and takes pride in working hard towards his goals.
Twenty-four years ago, Francisca Annor Baah moved to the Berkshires from Ghana. Although raising her family and working as a CNA takes up most of her spare time, her favorite place in the Berkshires she has had the time to visit is the Berkshire Museum. She has loved everything about art class and really enjoys learning new skills in every class.
Marie Alix Dominique has lived in the Berkshires for 3 years and is proud to be from Haiti. She enjoys going to church, reading the Bible, and coming to English classes. Her favorite place in Berkshire County is her neighborhood and she hopes to study at Berkshire Community College one day. Marie’s favorite part about the art class has been the teacher Kim.
Nancy Alvardo has been in America for 25 years. Originally from El Salvador, she enjoys taking in all of the nature the Berkshires has to offer. Art class with Kim gives her a much-needed opportunity to explore her imagination and make beautiful things with others in the class. She is most proud of being a Mom and is always going forward in life constantly reminding herself to never give up on her goals.
Jose Perez came to the Berkshires almost 30 years ago from Ecuador. He enjoys reading, exercising, meditating, working, and going to English classes. Art class has given him a chance to do something different and he is very proud that he is always working on himself.
Winnie Chen is from China and has been in America for 18 years. She loves the parks and going for walks in the Berkshires when it is warm. She is a proud mother of two and works hard to make sure her family is taken care of. She enjoyed painting in art class and finds art very relaxing.
Carol Sandoval arrived in America from Columbia roughly 15 years ago. She is constantly working towards her goal of running her own non-profit. She enjoys living in the Berkshires because it is a quiet space. Art classes gave her the opportunity to express herself.
The William Stickney Pittsfield Adult Learning Center was founded in 1976. They offer high school equivalency classes and English classes for free and connect students to resources that can help relieve barriers to education They guide students in achieving their career and educational goals. They are part of the Pittsfield Public Schools.
ARTIST STATEMENT: Happy Together is a show that displays watercolors, collages, and a collaborative piece constructed by students from the Adult Learning Center with faculty artist, Kim Waterman! Participating in three workshops with Kim, this group of nine students had the opportunity to expand their language skills while exploring their creativity. Kim has enjoyed introducing the students to new mediums and working with them on the collaborative piece.
