CATA, Mass Audubon Present 'Roots, Stems, Leaves, Sky'
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LENOX, Mass—Community Access to the Arts (CATA) and Mass Audubon present "Roots, Stems, Leaves, Sky", an exhibit of work by artists with disabilities inspired by the natural landscape of the Berkshires.
The exhibition will be on display in the historic barn at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary from Oct. 10 - Nov. 18. The gallery, located at 472 West Mountain Road in Lenox, is open daily from 9am-4pm (admission to the exhibit is free).
A free "Meet the Artists" reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 3-5pm. RSVP's are requested at CATAarts.org.
"We're thrilled to partner with Mass Audubon once again to celebrate the work of CATA artists with disabilities," says CATA Executive Director Margaret Keller. "CATA artists have been exploring local flora and fauna through tactile nature walks and open air art-making. From those encounters, they've created a stunning collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs sharing their perspectives on our beautiful Berkshire landscape."
Many of the works were created on-site at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary as part of an ongoing partnership between CATA and Mass Audubon. CATA artists explored Pleasant Valley's "All Persons Trail," with Mass Audubon naturalists and educators, drawing inspiration from the sanctuary's plants, animals, textures, and landscapes as they created artwork on site. The exhibit also includes nature-inspired artwork created by CATA artists at day programs and residences serving people with disabilities across the Berkshires.
The exhibition includes botanical studies, landscapes, abstract paintings, prints, and photographs, showcasing a wide range of artistic styles and perspectives. Visitors are also invited to touch and explore tactile models throughout the exhibit, including tools that CATA artists used to create their work and natural elements that inspired their art.
All works are professionally matted, framed, and available for sale, and CATA artists earn a paid commission for each work sold.
Visitors can also explore "Roots, Stems, Leaves, Sky" through CATA's digital exhibit guide on Bloomberg Connects—a free digital museum guide used by cultural institutions worldwide. The digital exhibit guide offers accessible, behind-the-scenes content, including video interviews with CATA artists, audio tours written and narrated by CATA artists, and original music composed by CATA musicians in response to the artwork. The digital guide gives visitors anywhere the opportunity to experience the exhibit and hear directly from the artists in their own words. QR codes in the gallery make it easy to explore the guide while visiting.
The exhibit is part of CATA's "Art on Tour" program, where original works of art created by CATA artists are featured in exhibits at museums, galleries, community centers, and other venues in Berkshire and Columbia counties.
CATA "Art on Tour" exhibits are sponsored in part by Frames on Wheels, Barr Foundation, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which receives support from the State of Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
