Barstow’s is a small family owned business and we are committed to supporting other local farmers, local crafters, and local artists. Our walls are reserved for the art of local painters, sketchers, and photographers – giving us a beautiful and unique perspective on the area that we live and love. Visit us to enjoy lunch, soak in the rural views, and enjoy the local art of your creative neighbors!
Are you interested in becoming our Featured Artist? Contact us!
Our current Featured Artist are students from Berkshire Hills Music Academy.
January 6 - March 31
Enjoy photography from students at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley.
About the Artist: Tim Daniels
Tim has Down syndrome and studies art, dance, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. With his quiet and focused artistic process, Tim creates paintings and photographs that impart emotion for the viewer. Tim has a sense for the monochromatic. He paints and creates monoprints with striking results, often using variations of tone with a single color. His nature photographs capture starkly beautiful, simple natural elements that are possibly often overlooked by others. During his free time, Tim loves watching films, playing video games and being with his family.
About the Artist: Ben Krifka
Ben has Down syndrome and studies art, dance, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. Ben loves to paint and explores new art techniques with so much enthusiasm. He has recently been exploring photography as a new medium and loves taking photos in nature. Of his artwork, Ben says, "I feel passion in myself when I'm making a painting, while using all of the colors." Ben is busy in the vocational program at BHMA, and in addition to his art, Ben dances in the vocational dance troupe three days per week. When he’s not working, Ben adores his music and movement classes at BHMA, and always puts on a stellar performance at student variety hour shows.
About the Artist: Matt Cloughley
Matt has autism and studies photography, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. An avid photographer, Matt has always loved capturing images of his friends, family, and daily events. In his photography class at BHMA, Matt has begun honing his skills. About his work, Matt says, “I take photos on my nature walks: trees, flowers, and I also like to take photos at variety hour.” Matt loves music and spends his mornings rehearsing and performing with the BHMA LIVE Band. Many afternoons he can be found working in the commercial kitchen at Berkshire Hills. Matt’s dreams for his future include continuing to work in commercial kitchens and taking many more photos.
About the Artist: Courtney Beech
Courtney has a developmental disability and studies photography, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA Courtney’s photography features scenes from nature. About her work she says, “I love taking pictures of all different colors, and the trees, and the leaves.” When she’s not taking photos, Courtney is a member of our House Band at BHMA. She works each day with a group of peers to create engaging performances, which include music, personal storytelling, videography and acting. Courtney’s dreams for her future include playing soccer professionally and becoming an actress.
About the Artist: Mario Bonavita
Mario has autism and studies photography, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music academy in South Hadley, MA. New to photography, Mario is drawn towards capturing images of nature. Mario’s focus at BHMA is on general vocation, and he currently runs a booth at the Basketball Hall of fame in Springfield, MA one day per week. There, Mario leads patrons through a simulation of a sports newscast. When he's not working, Mario loves spending time outdoors, hiking, playing basketball and practicing yoga.
About the Artist: Carly Ziemba
Carly has Williams syndrome and studies art, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. As a member of the Ascending Artist Program at BHMA, Carly creates art two days per week, and has recently begun exploring photography as a new medium. About her work, Carly says, “there are so many possibilities for people with disabilities. Art has brought so much into my life and has helped me express my personality. When I make art I feel free, happy and Joyful.” One day per week she can be found working at Trader Joe’s, where she performs many tasks including stocking shelves and working as a cashier. Carly’s dreams for her future include living independently.
About the Artist: Connor Thompson
Connor has autism and studies photography, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. Connor’s photography spans genres. He loves to take nature photos, action shots at events, and explores artistic photography, often taking abstract photos using close-up angles. About his photos, Connor says “taking photos makes me feel relaxed and entertained. It’s exciting when the photo you’re taking comes out perfectly.” Connor’s initial exploration of photography at Berkshire Hills has become a central part of his work life. Connor is a Fellow at the Flutie Foundation for Autism, and he can be found working as a photographer for their events. He’s also started his own business: Spectrum Inspired Photography. For more information about Connor and his many interests, including photography, check out his blog at https://spectruminspired.wordpress.com/
About the Artist: Jennifer Barrett
Jen has Down syndrome and studies art, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. As a member of the Ascending Artist Program at BHMA, Jen creates art four days per week. She particularly loves ceramics and photography, always joyful while creating ceramic pieces, or while capturing an image of nature, or of her friends. When asked how she feels about her work, Jen says, “photography makes me so happy!” Jen is an engaged member of our community, also working locally one day per week at Serenity Yoga in South Hadley, MA. There she takes care of the lobby, and checks in clients as they arrive for their yoga classes. Jen also loves her voice lessons at BHMA and she always puts on a heartfelt performance during student variety hour shows.
About the Artist: Eman Tuzman-Eagan
Eman has a developmental disability and studies photography, music and vocational skills at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. Eman recently began exploring photography and he loves photographing nature and still life scenes. He explains that he feels calm and focused when he’s taking pictures. When he’s not taking photos, Eman is a member of our House Band at BHMA. He works each day with a group of peers to create engaging performances, which include music, personal storytelling, videography and acting. Eman loves all of his music classes at BHMA and enjoys learning about other cultures. Eman’s dreams for his future include becoming a director on film sets and traveling.