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For CATA Artists, Creativity Has No LimitsBy Jen Thomas - November 21, 2007
 | | This painting, by Sue Croll, will be featured in "I Am Part of Art." |
PITTSFIELD – It's not your typical arts show.
On Saturday, Nov. 24, the Storefront Artists Project will open a show titled "I Am a Part of Art," an entire exhibit dedicated to showcasing work from featured participants of Community Access to the Arts, a Berkshire County nonprofit dedicated to embracing the creativity of those in the community with developmental disabilities.
Through visual and performing arts workshops, CATA seeks to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities, while raising awareness about how every individual can contribute something positive to the community through shared experiences.
"Our mission is to nurture and celebrate the creativity of those with disabilities and we've been doing that right here in the Berkshires for 15 years," said Rebecca Tucker-Smith, the Northern Berkshire program director for CATA.
Founded in 1993 by dancer Sandra Newman, CATA now offers more than 1,000 workshops annually to participants throughout the county. The SAP art show – which will feature work created throughout the year – serves the twofold purpose of highlighting the work of CATA artists and informing locals about the value of the workshops.
"This is a way for people to become familiar with CATA and to see the artwork as we are becoming more apparent in this region," said Tucker-Smith.
This year, CATA, which is based out of Great Barrington, has been focused on developing programs that will specifically target Northern Berkshire residents with disabilities, hosting more workshops in both Pittsfield and North Adams. With 26 faculty artists working with more than 500 participants, the workshops' expansion further north was the obvious next move, according to Tucker-Smith.
"We want to be in a number of different places and we want to have people see what we're doing here," she said.
As CATA continues to grow, they hope to offer more diverse workshops. Next year, the organization will begin a new series aimed at helping 18- to 25-year-olds adjust to life after school by complementing their workshops with transition planning and lifestyles education. With plans to begin in North County, the new programming is part of CATA's efforts to have a countywide presence.
"I Am a Part of Art" will feature work from artists throughout the county, even as more workshop participants are creating pieces that will be featured in another end-of-the-year exhibit. The show, which is sponsored by the Kinderhook Group Inc., will also exhibit items available through CATAdirect, an employment program that offers creative jobs to people with disabilities. Unique, handmade products, including jewelry, handbags and accessories, will be available for purchase at the reception.
A reception for the show will be held on Dec. 1, from 5–7 p.m. at the Storefront Artists Project gallery at 124 Fenn St. "I Am a Part of Art" runs from this Saturday, Nov. 24 to Dec. 15.
"The show can stand alone; by itself, the artwork is amazing. This is about chances for making connections. There's so much going on in the arts in Berkshire County and this is an opportunity to look at art a whole new way," said Tucker-Smith.
For more information on CATA, visit www.communityaccesstothearts.org/ or call (413) 442-7201.
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