Anastasia Drayton is transforming the former Pittsfield Plant Connector space at 46 West St. in Pittsfield into Solarium, a plant shop and art gallery slated to open in mid-September. Drayton, who previously ran a pop-up called Foraged and Found inside the Plant Connector, will offer plants, nature-based home decor, self-care products, and works from local artists. The center of the store will become the Atrium Gallery, curated by muralist Mike Carty, featuring local art and named in tribute to Carty's heart transplant. Drayton also plans to host workshops, educational seminars, and community events, building on the legacy of former owners Bonnie Marks and Emilee Yawn.
The opening matters because it represents a grassroots effort to sustain a community hub that blends plant science, nature, and visual art in a small city. By prioritizing local artists, hands-on workshops, and a welcoming atmosphere, Solarium aims to foster creativity and connection in Pittsfield, demonstrating how small-scale art-and-plant ventures can strengthen local cultural ecosystems and provide accessible spaces for inspiration and respite.