Fiona Breslin reports from Lenox.Community Access to the Arts, known as CATA, showed clear signs of vitality at this year’s annual fundraising performance and gala, held on May 12 at Shakespeare & Co. Called Vital Signs, the gala drew a record number of attendees for its hour-long showcase of CATA's performing arts workshops, featuring more than 50 program participants and volunteers. Performers danced, acted, played instruments, sang, and juggled their way across the stage before taking their final bow. Since the show had already loosened the audience's heart strings, it seemed easy for Lee auctioneer Lou Caropreso to cajole the crowd into opening their purse strings during a post-performance auction in which bidders received nothing but the knowledge that they were helping CATA continue its worthy mission: to nurture and celebrate the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the arts. Following the show, supporters enjoyed a buffet dinner catered by The Marketplace, with wine from Domaney's and cocktails from Berkshire Montain Distillers, served in a glowing tent lit to complement the Vital Signs theme. Even the weather gods were generous, delivering a warm sunny day and a temperate evening so that guests could linger long past sunset and into the night.
CATA board president John Whalan with Katie Whalan and artist Dai Ban; Andy Potter and filmmaker Ben Hillman.
Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin, authors of a series of Sherlock Holmes mystery books for children; ReadMedia's Colin Mathews with Michael Huth.
Cheryl Raifstanger, Olivia Raifstanger, and Barbara Manring; Rich Alrdich of Salisbury Bank with CarolAnn Patterson and Iredale Mineral Cosmetics chief operating officer Anthony Patterson.
Mahaiwe development director David Barrett with conservationists and Slow Money advocates Joel Millonzi and Neil Chrisman; Vital Signs performer Hazel Elsbach and Nancy Nirenberg.
Attorneys Vicki Bonnington (in Gaultier) and David Schecker; Jack Magnotti and Sammy Leffenfeld with party planner Amy Rudnick.
Longtime CATA supporter Heather Wells Heim and board member Liz Williams with CarolAnn Patterson; patrons Peter and Gussie Greer.
Realtor Nancy Kalodner and legendary dancer Marge Champion; Susannah Millonzi with her mother, CATA board member and parent Kate Millonzi.
Bill and Lisa Nappo with the decorating committee's Stephanie Iverson, Simon's Rock professor Brendan Mathews, and the gala committee's Margaret Keller; Peter Gross, Elizabeth Gross, centenarian Helen Sirles with her daughter, CATA founder and executive director Sandra Newman.
Berkshire Improv's Alexia Trainor and Barb Cardillo with Rachel Siegel; Eugene Cleary and skin specialist Maria Cleary.
CATA supporters Edith Velmans with Peter and Patricia Elsbach; CATA development & marketing director Liana Toscanini and board member Linda Cooper.
Publisher Kathy Regan with her daughter Brianna and Berkshire Montessori School classmates Noelia Salinetti, and Flora Paladino; head of Berkshire Country Day School Paul Lindenmaier, Lisa Rafel, Claire Naylor Pollart, Margaret Lindenmaier, and The Bookloft's Eric Wilska.
Scott Hochfelder, George Haddad, Mark Snowise, MD, and Tim Suffish; the decorating committee's Julia Erickson and handbag designer Gundula Brattke.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
