CATA NEWS Spring 2019

spring 2019

NEWS

photo: Christina Lane

you're creating connection

and it doesn't happen without you.

Every year, we raise one-third of our annual budget in one night. When you support CATA’s Gala, you give people with disabilities the chance to tap into their potential and discover their artistic abilities. You ignite creativity!

That means Sarah can find her joy in painting and dance. Roman can follow his passion in acting and music. And Sue can share her story in our Writers’ Workshop. Your support goes a long way to touch the lives of CATA artists.

Our Gala & Annual Performance is CATA’s mission in action— artists with disabilities take the stage to share their talents with our community. Support CATA’s gala on May 11 and make a difference through this powerful event.

CATA presents "nexus" gala evening:

saturday, may 11 · 5pm

matinee performance:

"Be prepared to have your heart blown wide open!"

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sunday, may 12 · 1pm

at Shakespeare & Company • Lenox, MA RSVP at CATAarts.org or call 413-528-5485

photo: Christina Lane

it all comes down to one night.

it took 1,500 workshops to make this happen

Across the Berkshires, you’re giving hundreds of people with disabilities the opportunity to reach their potential. From students with disabilities to elders in nursing homes, they’re expressing their creative spirit and sharing their stories. All because of you.

Now is your chance to experience the joy and creativity you bring to our artists every day. Our Annual Performance couldn’t happen without the 1,500 workshops that you make possible throughout the year. Join us on May 11 and 12 and see the impact of your support first-hand!

q CATA dancers Ali (Riverbrook Residence), Natasha, and David (Leander House) find connection through movement in a CATA dance class. Your support makes workshops like this possible.

photo: Christina Lane

Actors, singers, jugglers, dancers, and musicians. Since September, our CATA artists have been developing their talents in dozens of art forms— thanks to you. Now, they’re ready to lead us in a joy-filled celebration of art and inclusion.

p Megan, Scott (Leander House), and Nathaniel (BCArc) get ready for their debut with CATA’s Rockin’ 4-String Strummers. Your support makes it possible for CATA artists to explore new art forms— like ukulele!

you're helping cata make music together A cata collaboration like you've never seen...

This year, CATA is all about connection.

Inspired by our NEXUS theme, CATA artists have been creating new collaborations across art forms— and across our community.

Now, for the first time ever, more than thirty CATA singers, drummers, and ukulele players will join forces in a musical extravaganza for the grand finale to our Annual Performance. As you read this, CATA musicians are putting the final touches on their parts in a powerful, original song composed by our Art Cart Troubadours. The song is inspired by the words and memories of dozens of elders from 4

Berkshire Healthcare residences who have shared their stories with our Art Cart team throughout the year. And now, because of your support, our CATA musicians will bring those stories to life!

“The mixing of art, advocacy, and community is constantly creative and creatively constant,” says Dawn Lane, CATA’s Artistic & Program Director. “This year’s NEXUS theme is the perfect opportunity for connection and overlap.

We’re mixing our faculty, performers, and art forms into one brilliant finale unlike any CATA show you’ve ever seen!”

cata's youngest donors?

87 sixth-graders!

Inspired by a book featuring a protagonist with cerebral palsy, the entire sixth-grade class at Monument Valley Middle School put their passion for inclusion to work, setting up a fundraiser to support CATA. In just two weeks, the students raised more than $700 for CATA programs, including arts workshops for their peers with disabilities!

The students will have a chance to see their support in action— as special guests to CATA’s Annual Performance dress rehearsal. We’re proud to see the ways even our youngest community members are stepping up to embrace inclusion.

Want to join the sixth-graders and make a difference for people with disabilities?

Visit CATAarts.org and make a gift today! p CATA drummer Tanny (Riverbrook Residence) rehearses with The CATA Beat

Thank you to Berkshire Bank for underwriting this year’s CATA dress rehearsal, where over a hundred young people will experience the5 work of our artists.

join cata and "get swept into a vortex of joy" cata donor alexandra dest on the power of connection.

When Alexandra Dest first learned about CATA, she knew she wanted to support this work with a gift. “People with disabilities are part of our community. They deserve a place to express themselves. CATA is a beautiful way for them to be in their glory and to shine.

Our birthright, for all of us, is to have this opportunity.”

"people with disabilities are part of our community. cata is a beautiful way for them to be in their glory and to shine."

For Alexandra, CATA’s Gala and Performance is the perfect way to see how her support is making a difference. “I am moved to tears with every single act. It’s the passion of CATA artists— their heart and soul is poured into their performance. You can see their exuberance and sense of belonging. And it’s so meaningful to see the community come together with an open heart.”

For anyone thinking about coming to the Gala, or about getting involved with CATA, Alexandra has a little tip: “Be prepared to have your heart blown wide open! To watch the joy and exuberance of the artists on stage—you just get swept into this vortex of joy.”

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Join the CATA movement! Visit CATAarts.org to donate now.

our biggest fundraising event of the year is almost here. help us keep our momentum going!

2019 gala supporters: lead underwriters

The Feigenbaum Foundation • Will Osborne & Mary Pope Osborne • Emily Rechnitz & John Paladino • Leslie & Steve Shatz • Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation underwriters

Berkshire Bank • Blue Q • Anne G. Fredericks & Marc Fasteau • Greylock Federal Credit Union • Joan & Jim Hunter •Joyce Linde • The Family of Louisa Millonzi producers

Allegrone Companies • Berkshire Health Systems • Berkshire Magazine • Canyon Ranch • Sandra Baron & Gregory Diskant • Linda Greenhouse & Eugene Fidell • Jami & Ira Grossman • David & Julie McCarthy • Merit • MountainOne • Linda & Frank Russell • Anne Schnesel • Danielle & Dan Stern • Liz & Mark Williams • Kathleen & John Zutter Black Rock Foundation/Buzz and Robin McGraw • Neil & Kathleen Chrisman • John & Lois George • Brett & Eve Goldberg • Heather Wells Heim & Matthew Heim • Ann & Peter Herbst • Jane & Charlie Johnson • Marisa Labozzetta & Martin Wohl • Taryn & Mark Leavitt • Eleanor Lord & Margaret Wheeler • Rob Mathews & Mary Graziano • Mary Ann & Bruno Quinson • Elaine Radiss & Rich Petrino • Martha Sauer & David Rosenthal • Maria Sirois Tim & Ana Suffish • Ben & Elaine Silberstein corporate sponsors

Alexandra Dest Capital Management • Annie Selke Companies • Berkshire Mountain Distillers • Brava • CMC: Berkshires • Hillcrest Educational Centers • J.H. Maxymillian, Inc. • Lee Bank • Martin & Oliveira, LLP • Dr. William O’Donnell • Park Square Financial Advisors of Raymond James • TD Bank

photo: Christina Lane

sponsors

in-kind sponsors

Berkshire Photo Booth • Bill Wright Photo • Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines • Kwik Print, Inc. • Mahaiwe Tent There's still time to be a CATA underwriter!

Contact Katie Clarke at 413-528-5485.

7 p You make it possible for CATA artists like Matt

(Interlaken House) to share their talents.

save the date! cata's 2019 annual art show "i am a part of art" Join us for a summer full of breathtaking paintings, drawings and sculpture, created by CATA artists from across the Berkshires and Columbia County, NY. Exhibits and events take place all summer long at the Clark Art Institute and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.

lichtenstein center for the arts

Pittsfield, MA Opening Reception: Thursday, July 11, 2019 · 5-7pm Exhibit: July 5 - July 27, 2019

clark art institute

Williamstown, MA Meet the Artists: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 · 1-4pm Exhibit: July 6 - August 25, 2019

send a message of support to the cata artists in our annual performance!

Stephen Shatz, President Emily Rechnitz, Vice President Heather Wells Heim, Vice President Ira Grossman, Treasurer Elaine Radiss, Secretary

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

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

staff

board

Give our artists a boost of CATA love before the big show! Write a note of support, cut along the dotted line, and send it to us in the enclosed envelope. We’ll share it with our artists!

Margaret Keller, Executive Director Dawn Lane, Program & Artistic Director Katie Clarke, Administrative Director Jeff Gagnon, Program Manager Kara Smith, Program Coordinator Bianca Gigli, Program Associate Sarah Carpenter, Development Manager Chris Watford, Communications Coordinator Natalia Bystrianyk, Administrative Coordinator Sandra Newman, Founder