Portrait Project to Honor Elizabeth Freeman

The Berkshire Eagle

October 17, 2025

Great Barrington: Portrait project to honor Elizabeth Freeman

By Jeannie Maschno, Community News Editor / Librarian

The Du Bois Freedom Center is partnering with the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and its Center for Art and Community Partnerships to create a portrait honoring Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American woman to win her freedom in Massachusetts.

The project begins Tuesday, Oct. 21, with a site visit and walking tour at the center’s Field Office at 309 Main St. MassArt students in Professor Irena Roman’s “Professional Illustration for the Community” course will meet with DFC leaders to learn about Freeman’s story and the role of public art in storytelling.

Two student-created portraits will later be displayed at the DFC Field Office. The project is supported by MassArt’s Center for Art and Community Partnerships with interpretive content created in collaboration with scholars from UMass Amherst. Read More.