CATA Art Tours Berkshire County And Beyond

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Community Access to the Arts (CATA) has announced the 2009 schedule for CATA Art on Tour. Funded in part by a grant from Berkshire Life Insurance Company, Art on Tour brings paintings, prints and drawings created in CATA workshops out into the community. CATA's mission is to nurture and celebrate the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the visual and performing arts. Says Executive Director, Sandra Newman, "Everyone should be noticed for his or her unique talents."

CATA art will be exhibited at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in January, the Norfolk (Connecticut) Library in April, the Berkshire Museum in May, Melbourne Assisted Living in June, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in October. There are permanent exhibits at VIM and Berkshire Bank in Great Barrington as well. A special exhibit of paintings created by artists with severe physical disabilities using an innovative technique called A.R.T. (Artist Realization Technologies) will take place at the Ferrin Gallery from April 23 through May 9.

CATA participants receive 50% commission on sales of their artwork. The organization's visual arts faculty includes: Laura Christensen, Susie Hardcastle, Pat Hogan, Marlene Marshall, Maria Mazzocco, Senta Reis, Janice Shields, and Michael Wolski. A sampling of CATA artwork can be seen online at www.communityaccesstothearts.org.

Additional funding for Art on Tour comes from Carol & George Minkoff, Leslie & Steve Shatz, Elaine & Ben Silberstein, and Marjorie and Sherwood Sumner. Exhibit dates and opening reception dates are listed on CATA's web site. For more information, contact Pat Hogan, Art on Tour Exhibit Manager at (413) 528-5485.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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