Community Access To The Arts Kicks Off 2016

Amy Krzanik reports from Lee. Over the past two years, the Community Access to the Arts (CATA) “Art on Tour" program has made stops at The Clark, No. Six Depot and Berkshire Museum, among other county venues. To kick off 2016, its newest exhibit, Selected Works by CATA Artists 40 x 30 x 8, has made a temporary home for itself at College Internship Program's Good Purpose Gallery. “40 x 30" refers to the size of the paintings and “8" refers to the number of artists in the show, many of whom were on hand at the opening reception on Friday, Jan. 15. All of the artwork in the show was created in Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.) classes, offered as one of CATA’s many programs. A.R.T, an adaptive painting system developed by Tim Lefens, provides people with severe physical disabilities the opportunity to paint with the assistance of laser pointers and trained trackers acting as the hands of the artist. Fans of the CATA art program will be able to recognize the distinctive work of their favorite students in this show, which will up until February 16. All of the art is for sale, with proceeds going to the artists and CATA’s A.R.T. programs. Above, CATA founder Sandra Newman, with exhibit co-sponsors Rita Kasky and Bill Cohn.

CATA executive director Margaret Keller with her daughter and Stan and Jan Spencer; Terri and Steve Tosk pose with their son, Myles, in front of his artwork.

Artist David Gardner, CATA's program and artistic director Dawn Lane and Cindy Keiderling; Rebecca Kelly, Molly Hudlin and Liz Bartini of Berkshire County Arc.

Artists Cathy Crofut and Brian Bernacki (seated) with Jean Bede and Jim Bernardo.

CIP's creative arts coordinator Kara Demler, Stephen Tournas-Hardt and Good Purpose gallery manager Patricia Boissevain; artist Carol Neahaus and board member Debbie Caiola.

Liana Toscanini, CATA's development and marketing director, and Dawn Lane; CATA volunteers Leslie Shatz and Elaine Radiss, who is also a board member.