CATA's 'I Am a Part of Art' Exhibit Celebrates Creativity and Inclusion
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Inclusion is at the heart of Community Access to the Arts, and this year's annual art show showcases that commitment through a diverse mixed-media exhibition featuring interactive elements that make the experience engaging and accessible for visitors of all abilities.
The annual "I Am a Part of Art" exhibit is the organization's biggest exhibit of the year, this year featuring over 300 works of art by 250 artists with disabilities, spanning the Lichtenstein Center and Clark Art Institute, said Chris Watford, CATA communications director.
"This gallery right now is CATA's mission in action, and I hope that you see each piece as a window into each artist's perspective and an invitation to step into our CATA world," Executive Director Margaret Keller said.
On Thursday, the nonprofit kicked off the exhibition with an opening celebration at the center, where joy and pride were evident as community members smiled, admired the artwork and celebrated the artists behind it.
"How amazing it is to stand in the middle of this room and witness the radiance and the beauty of these perspectives, and to take in all of this individuality and talent. Every artist needs an audience, and all of you here today are so important to our ongoing work," Keller said.
Last year, CATA started using the Bloomberg Connects app, which not only showcases the artworks but also provides viewers with behind-the-scenes insights, allowing them to learn more about the exhibit and hear from the artists through video and audio recordings.
"We learned a ton last year and had incredible feedback from the community about how impactful that app was," Watford said.
As visitors move through the center's gallery filled with 200 works, they can engage with the exhibit in multiple ways. In addition to photography, paintings and illustrations, the exhibition features interactive elements, including animations, stickers, tactile pieces paired with visual artwork, and original music composed in response to the works on display.
Additionally, the exhibit has accessibility tools such as QR-coded digital guides, audio and image descriptions, and braille – making the artwork more accessible to people of all abilities.
"We've really expanded a lot of what we're offering through that guide and the accessibility in the guide, and people are just loving it," Watford said.
The works will be on display for free in the Lichtenstein Center until Aug. 28 and at the Clark until Oct. 12.
The Lichtenstein Center is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. The Clark is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through August and Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in September.
Sami Church (left) next to CATA Executive Director Margaret Keller (right)
One of the pieces that quickly sold was by artist Sami Church, who took a picture of the skylight at CATA and edited it with Snapseed.
"This was my first piece that got sold, and I'm very happy about it," she said.
During her interview, Keller referenced Church's skylight photo, saying it gives the onlooker a sense of endless possibilities.
"The artist creatively worked with and manipulated the image to make it this stunningly colorful image with greens and blues, and when you look out that skylight that's captured in that photograph … you get a sense of the expanse of the sky," Keller said.
"You get this kind of inviting, welcoming image that is really, I think, encouraging you to dream big, and I think that's one picture among many."
"Every single one of these works is capturing something unique to the individuality of that particular artist and how they see the world, and like all art, everyone will see something a little bit different."
Inspired by her love of bracelet making, Pelletz edited a photograph of a rainbow bracelet she created using the Snapseed app and displayed it alongside the actual bracelet, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the texture portrayed in the image.
For more than three decades, CATA has been providing artistic opportunities for people with disabilities to tell their stories and perspectives through a wide range of media and performance.
Every year since its inception in 1993, by its founder Sandra Newman, the non-profit has grown and expanded its programming, providing its members the opportunity to discover talents and passions and share those experiences with others, artists said.
"It just means a lot to me because without CATA, I wouldn't have discovered my true visual artistry, as well as that I'm an extremely proficient actress," said Kellie Ward, artist and exhibit co-curator.
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