Education:
Education is at the core of everything we do at Alchemy Initiative.  A living lab for communal and sustainable urban living, Alchemy seeks to foster growth and inspiration in both individual and community development.  Structured education at Alchemy Initiative includes residencies, internships, workshops, after-school and community programs and lectures.

The first aspect of our educational disciplines is our Workshop Program. Monthly workshops led by experts in their field are offered in topics ranging from fiber arts, culinary arts, gardening techniques, and more.  Lectures, book signings and artist talks will also be held.

September 2009 will kick off the Alchemy After-school Program. Administered by IS183 Art School, this program will be open to 6-12 graders interested in pursuing creativity with a focus on sewing and fiber arts. 

A residential internship program is in formation.  Encompassing all aspects of Alchemy Initiative's project development including textiles and fiber art, organic growing and farming, culinary arts, business administration, and sustainable building, interns will live and work at the Alchemy Initiative homestead.

Urban Farm:
Our garden grows from a desire to reconnect with nature by revitalizing and securing community food systems. The garden is designed for both sustainable food consumption as well as educational opportunities.

Raised beds have been hand-built from trees downed in the winter's storms, twisted branches have been turned into trellises, and marble and granite stones were repurposed from the former church to create a 'wheel' pathway in the 25 foot circular herb bed. These organic elements of design and structure bring a natural aesthetic to our urban setting.

Vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers are all grown in the Alchemy Urban Farm. Three hives of bees are pollinating our gardens and producing honey and nearly a dozen chickens bring life (and fresh eggs) to our farm.

Our gardens will be the focal point of community workshops. Topics for Alchemy Initiative's workshops will include backyard gardening, seed saving, food preservation methods, raising chickens, keeping bees, the use of herbs for nutritional and medicinal purposes and many more.

Artisan Studios:
The Alchemy Artisan Studios are home to a community of visual artists, working in a variety of mediums at various levels in their professional careers. Located in the lower level of the former church, the Alchemy Artisan Studios maintain nearly 5,000 square feet of open space, have notably high ceilings, and hold large west-facing windows allowing ample natural light. The open and versatile area allows for both creating and teaching of the arts, with four artisan studios and a large workshop space.

Working in semi-private studio spaces in this large, open area inspires discussion, critique and collaboration and deepens the support and creativity of this community. Studio artisans may participate in classes, lectures, and workshops taught by their peers in this space, further deepening those connections.

Artisans open their studios during the year to art groups, schools and other local organizations. And plans to host an annual Open Studios event are in the works.

Event Space:
The redevelopment of the former Notre Dame church on Melville Street is underway.  Dating back to 1895, the church is an historic icon for the city.  Originally built for the French Canadian Roman Catholic community of Pittsfield, the 5800 square foot space is striking in its architectural beauty and artistry of design.

With dramatic cathedral ceilings, neo-gothic arches, and vibrant stained glass windows, the former church will make for a stunning 350 seat mixed-use Performance Space. Alchemy Initiative will work closely with artists, preservationists, city officials, and community members to transform the church. Preserving as much of the interior as possible, Alchemy Initiative will repurpose materials that are unable to be kept for their initial use. Original materials include locally harvested clear oak pews, ornate hand carved woodwork, plaster capitals, marble and granite paneling. The space is equipped with a balcony, excellent acoustics, and a raised stage. Movable seating will accommodate a range of performing arts including elaborate theatre productions, contemporary art productions, film screenings, concerts and lectures.

Kitchen:
The Alchemy Kitchen is our next big project. We envision a full service commercial kitchen space in the lower level of the former church.  As with all of our programs, the Alchemy Kitchen will have a significant focus on education.  Available for teaching workshops, internships and after-school programs (overseen by vetted Serve Safe-certified preparers), the Alchemy Kitchen will utilize our Urban Farm as a hands-on teaching tool for nutrition and cuisine. 

In addition, the Alchemy Kitchen will be available for rent.  It will be fully outftted to accommodate many types of food preparation, from baking to canning.  The Alchemy Kitchen will have permanent tenants that share the space to prepare their products.  Groups or individuals will also be able to rent the space for one-time cooking, canning or catering needs.

Thirdly, the Alchemy Kitchen will be a space for community food preservation/preparation.  The Alchemy Urban Farm will yield crops that will be preserved by and for its members for winter consumption. Alchemy Initiative will often serve special community meals showcasing both the Alchemy Urban Farm and the Alchemy Kitchen.

Reading Room:
In the Alchemy Reading Room, curious minds will become inspired. The reading room is a community space with shelves full of classic tales, fictional adventures and practical how-to companions… Here, the community is invited to nestle into an overstuffed chair or sprawl out on a comfy couch and take off on an African safari, delve into political failures, or allow your heart to burn over lost love.

For a more practical mindset, Storey Publishing, a proud sponsor of Alchemy Initiative, has donated a number of non-fiction how-to titles for community members who are interested in topics involving gardening, cooking, crafts, and raising animals. Alchemy Initiative will hold weekly public reading hours.  

Café:
Alchemy Initiative is working with the owner/creator of Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Jess Rufo, to create the Alchemy Café. The Alchemy Café is passionate about many things… exceptional coffee, local food, sustainability, community, art, music, and fun! We intend to serve up coffee made from the finest beans (prepared by highly trained coffee professionals) and baked goods and other tasty treats (prepared by local businesses including the Alchemy Kitchen). We are excited to showcase local artists and bring in both local and national performers.

We hope that the Alchemy Café will bring together the people of this community so that they mingle, network and share together in the diversity of this area and the beauty of the Berkshires.

Hostel:
The Alchemy Hostel will be a creative place for creative people. A destination for active travelers, a temporary home for wanderlust artisans, and a haven for our workshop participants, the Alchemy Hostel is a place to meet new people and explore up-and-coming Shire City.

The Alchemy Hostel offers affordable rates and a range in rooms-- from several community rooms to private suites.  The whimsical décor and friendly staff will make it hard to leave. Guest services include: a comfortable stay in our unique and stylish accommodations, wireless internet, use of our community kitchen, reading room, shared bicycles (courtesy of the Pittsfeld Church of Bicycle), delivery of groceries from local marketplace, and a complimentary breakfast at Dottie's Coffee Lounge. We also invite you to enjoy the grounds of the Alchemy Urban Farm, a place to sit, relax and absorb the innate energy and calmness of fresh growth.