CATA Spring 2018 Newsletter

CATA NEWS SPRING 2018

1/3 OF CATA’S E ANNUAL BUDGET RAISED IN 1 NIGHT

very year, we raise one-third of our annual budget in one night. When you support our Gala, you support life-changing arts workshops for 700 people with disabilities.

You ignite creativity!

And it doesn’t happen without YOU.

Our Gala & Annual Performance is CATA’s mission in action—CATA artists with disabilities take the stage to share their extraordinary creativity with our community.

Because of you, CATA artists tap into their potential and reveal their spirit. Join us on May 12 at Shakespeare & Company and make a difference through this powerful event!

GALA EVENING: May 12 at 5pm MATINEE PERFORMANCE: May 13 at 1pm RSVP at CATAarts.org or call 413-528-5485

t

photo: Christina Lane

CATA actor Teresa Thomas performs with Shakespeare’s Players at the Gala & Annual Performance.

IT TOOK 1,300 WORKSHOPS TO MAKE THIS WEEKEND HAPPEN You bring powerful creativity to life.

A photo: Christina Lane

p Cory Gagliardi (BCArc)

explores new rhythms in CATA’s drumming workshop.

ll year you’ve brought powerful arts workshops to hundreds of people with disabilities. Now 30 local performers with disabilities will take the stage at Shakespeare & Company to share their talents with you. It’s all part of CATA’s Gala & Annual Performance— a celebration of the incredible creativity that YOU make possible.

Each year, CATA workshops expore an evocative theme, inspiring our artists and fueling their creative work. This year’s

theme—CATASFACTION— invites us to reflect on all of the things that fulfill and satisfy us. And what could be more “CATAsfying” than empowering the creative voices of hundreds of people with disabilities?

Through theatre, dance, music and more, these CATA artists are ready to lead us in a powerful celebration of artistry and inclusion. Here’s your chance to experience first-hand the joy and creativity you bring to our artists every day.

Valley Middle School sings in a CATA workshop.

CATA in the Schools workshops take place in seven school districts for 120 students in special education.

photos: Christina Lane

p A student at Monument

p Sarah Vannah (BCArc) develops new dance skills in CATA’s

dance workshop.

MEET THE MOVING COMPANY Your support keeps them moving...

T

he Moving Company—CATA’s mixed-ability dance company—has been performing powerful works of original choreography since 1997. Led by dancer and choreographer Dawn Lane, the company now welcomes its first male members— Alex Pettus and Jeffrey Kane! Alongside nine veteran Moving Company dancers, Alex and Jeff will take the stage for their first performance on May 12 & 13, as part of CATA’s Gala & Annual Performance. p Ali Flynn (Riverbrook) in rehearsal for

The Moving Company’s performance at Shakespeare & Company.

Alex and Jeff have both been active CATA artists since they were in high school at Wahconah Regional and Lenox Memorial High School, respectively. After they graduated, CATA was a critical link as they became young adults and joined BCArc’s Transitions program. p CATA dancers Alex Pettus and Jeff Kane

gear up for their first performance as members of The Moving Company.

You’ve made The Moving Company thrive.

Don’t miss your chance to see them in action at Shakespeare & Company on May 12 & 13.

“We love being in The Moving Company,” Jeff said after a recent rehearsal. “It’s different than CATA’s regular dance class”—where Jeff and Alex first started dancing—“We like the challenge!”

“The company has grown from an experiment to a model,” Dawn says. “Moving Company dancers have a passion for moving and they have pride in their work. They want the work to be good—not good given disability, just plain old good!”

YOU’VE CHANGED LIVES THROUGH CATA

25 years ago, you said “We need CATA.” Here’s what you’ve accomplished:

With your support and the vision of founder Sandra Newman, CATA held its first workshop, where 12 women with disabilities from Riverbrook learned branch weaving.

You brought CATA into the schools for our first school workshop with the Berkshire Hills School District. CATA now partners with seven school districts across Berkshire County.

You brought CATA’s Moving Company to life and paved the way for other CATA performing arts companies to thrive.

1993

1995

1997

You elevated the work of artists with disabilities through CATA’s first public art show at the Rica Gallery in Housatonic, MA.

You put the spotlight on CATA’s performing artists with our first theater performance at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, MA.

1999

2003 You helped empower artists with significant physical disabilities to create powerful works of art through CATA’s first workshop in A.R.T.—Artistic Realization Technologies.

2005

2006

Your love for CATA’s visual artists brought our annual art show, I Am a Part of Art, to the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. A year later, you helped us expand the show to a second location at the Clark Art Institute.

Your support for CATA’s writers fueled our first public poetry reading, with guest artists sharing creative work by CATA writers with disabilities.

You made it possible to celebrate the talents of North County CATA artists with our First Annual “Sharing” event, in collaboration with MASS MoCA.

2008

2010

2012

2014

You welcomed Margaret Keller as CATA’s new Executive Director and helped launch our first Summer Workshop.

You brought CATA to an international audience when The Moving Company performed at the VSA Arts International Festival.

Your dedication to people with disabilities in every Berkshire community helped expand CATA workshops into North Adams and Pittsfield.

2015

2016

2017-18

Because of you, CATA now brings 1,300 workshops to 700 artists with disabilities in Berkshire and Columbia counties every year.

THANK YOU! You elevated CATA’s Annual Poetry Reading to new heights through a partnership with The Mount, Edith Wharton’s historic Lenox home. black & white photos: Julie McCarthy

A RUNNING HEAD START Our biggest fundraising event of the year is almost here!

You’ve given us a head start to make it a major success.

Will you help us keep our momentum going?

LEAD UNDERWRITERS

UNDERWRITERS

Berkshire Life Charitable Foundation The Feigenbaum Foundation Joan & Jim Hunter Carol F. & Joseph H. Reich, Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Leslie & Steve Shatz

Berkshire Bank · Blue Q Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation Anne Fredericks & Marc Fasteau Greylock Federal Credit Union Beverly & David Hosokawa Joyce Linde · Clara Londoner Donald C. McGraw Foundation / Black Rock Foundation Fund · Kate & Joel Millonzi MountainOne · Mary Pope Osborne & Will Osborne Emily Rechnitz & John Paladino

PRODUCERS Sandra Baron & Gregory Diskant Berkshire Magazine Ira & Jami Grossman Merit · Tony Kiser & Lisa Atkin Anne Schnesel · Liz & Mark Williams

SPONSORS Jeannene Booher · Cindy & Jeff Caminiti Neil & Kathleen Chrisman · John & Lois George Brett & Eve Goldberg · Heather Wells Heim & Matthew Heim Ann & Peter Herbst · Marisa Labozzetta & Martin Wohl Taryn & Mark Leavitt · Eleanor Lord & Margaret Wheeler Hillery & Neal Maxymillian · Natalie & David Neubert Bruno & Mary Ann Quinson · Elaine & Bernard Roberts Barbara & Michael Rosenbaum · Linda & Frank Russell Martha Sauer & David Rosenthal · Ben & Elaine Silberstein Maria Sirois · Robin & David Slick · Tim & Ana Suffish Shirley & Ira Yohalem · Kethleen & John Zutter

photo: Christina Lane

CORPORATE/FOUNDATION SPONSORS

p Your support helps Natasha Lorick develop her

artistry as a painter in CATA’s visual arts workshop.

Alexandra Dest Capital Management · Annie Selke Companies Apella Capital · Berkshire Mountain Distillers · Brava Canyon Ranch · Domaney’s Liquors & Fine Wines, Inc. Hillcrest Educational Centers · Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Kwik Print · Lee Bank · Mahaiwe Tent · Sharon A. Mozian, M.D., P.C. Dr. William O’Donnell · Park Square Financial Advisors of Raymond James · Scarafoni Financial Group · TD Bank Trimeath Fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region · United Personnel

LIVES YOU’VE TOUCHED THIS YEAR

WHY WE INCLUDED CATA IN OUR WILL p CATA Board President Steve Shatz and CATA volunteer

Leslie Shatz are proud to support CATA with a legacy gift.

S

You’ve made incredible opportunities possible for hundreds of people with disabilities this year: 800 Hours of art-filled CATA workshops 700 People with disabilities served 120 Students in CATA school programs 103 Paintings exhibited 1,200 Volunteer hours Laughs shared, creativity explored, friends made ... Too many to count!

teve and Leslie Shatz have been CATA supporters for many years. “CATA is a family of caring people.” Steve says. “It’s all about demystifying disability and leaving your fear at the doorstep.”

So why did they decide to add CATA to their wills?

“From our experience with other non-profits, we became keenly aware of the difference we could make with this kind of giving.” And it couldn’t have been easier to do.

“The process of including CATA in our will was very simple.”

“With bequest gifts, you can decide how you want to balance your charitable giving with the needs of your family—they’re not mutually exclusive.”

No matter your age or income, a gift in your will is an easy and powerful way to make a difference for hundreds of people with disabilities.

For information on CATA’s bequest program, call us at 413-528-5485.

p CATA actor Dan Waite practices

his Shakespearean monologue for CATA’s Gala & Annual Performance.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! CATA’s Annual Art Show returns to the Clark & the Lichtenstein

Celebrate the work of CATA’s visual artists that you brought to life this year! Join us for our Annual Art Show—I Am a Part of Art—at the Clark Art Institute and Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts Pittsfield, MA Opening Reception: July 12 Exhibit: July 5 - 31

Clark Art Institute

Williamstown, MA Meet the Artists: August 2 Exhibit: July 1 - August 19

p CATA artist Dennis Sartori (BFAIR)

creates an original print along with Faculty Artist Janice Shields.

SEND A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE CATA ARTISTS IN OUR GALA & ANNUAL PERFORMANCE! Use this space to write a message of encouragement to the CATA artists in our May show.

Cut along the dotted line and mail it to us in the envelope provided—your note may be on display during our Performance weekend!

_________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ BOARD

Stephen Shatz, President Emily Rechnitz, Vice President Heather Wells Heim, Vice President Ira Grossman, Treasurer Diane Prusha, Faculty Representative Cory Carlotto, Artist Representative

STAFF Sandra Baron · Kathryn Burdsall Deborah Caiola · Beverly Hosokawa David Hosokawa · Melissa Lydon Neal Maxymillian · Sharon Mozian Rich Petrino · Elaine Radiss · David Rice Linda Russell · Ben Silberstein · John Whalan

40 Railroad St, Suite 6 · Gt. Barrington, MA 01230 · info@CATAarts.org · 413-528-5485 · CATAarts.org

Margaret Keller, Executive Director Dawn Lane, Program & Artistic Director Katie Clarke, Administrative Director Jeff Gagnon, Program Manager Kara Smith, Program Coordinator & CATAdirect Studio Manager Sarah Carpenter, Development Manager Chris Watford, Communications Coordinator JD Logan, Administrative Associate Sandra Newman, Founder