art brings color, scale, and personality to their modern architecture, transforming blank walls into vibrant expressions of taste and style.
Sharissa also addresses the psychological barriers that often keep people from collecting art.“ People feel unsophisticated, and it’ s often a financial investment, and that’ s scary,” she says.“ I also think people don’ t trust their taste. But if you like the giant portrait of a monkey, get the giant portrait of a monkey!” Her advice, and Bernay’ s ethos, is simple: Trust your instincts, and let your home reflect who you are.
Margo and Kevin Mercer
For Margo and Kevin Mercer, working with Bernay Fine Art was about more than just acquiring art; it also was about building a relationship. Though they live full-time in Concord, Kevin grew up in Great Barrington and feels a deep connection to the Berkshires.“ We always pop into the gallery when we visit,” says Kevin.“ We expressed some interest in an artist,
Gallerists and siblings Paula Bernay and Lou Friedman with art by Janet Rickus.( Bernay Fine Art)
but the pieces they had didn’ t quite fit our style.” When the gallery received new art by an artist that the Mercers liked, Paula and Lou curated the selection, figured out what they liked, and then sent them the new pieces.
Because the Mercers aren’ t always able to visit the gallery in person, the gallerists’ willingness to deliver works to their home was invaluable.
“ It’ s hard to know if something’ s really going to look good in your space, so it was
AUGUST 8 Gershwin & Bernstein with Marin Alsop
AUGUST 15 Renée Fleming
® NYSDED
AUGUST 9 Laufey: A Night at the Symphony
AUGUST 14 Verdi’ s Requiem with Yannick Nézet-Séguin
AUGUST 6-23
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
• Cynthia Erivo – 3-time Oscar Nominee & WICKED Star
• Laufey – Jazz-pop star &“ Gen Z It Girl”
• Renée Fleming – 5-time GRAMMY-winning soprano
• Marin Alsop returns to lead Gershwin & Bernstein
• Film nights: Back to the Future in Concert and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert
• Music & Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Verdi’ s Requiem with stars from the MET Opera stage
BUY TICKETS NOW SPAC. ORG
AUGUST 22 An Evening with Cynthia Erivo
AUGUST 23 Back to the Future in Concert
July 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 39