Amy Krzanik reports from Lenox. How do you make a friend? Well, you walk up to someone and tell them your name, and then you ask for theirs. You express yourself, and say how you feel, but also listen when they want to talk. It seems simple enough, but we often forget to do these small things that can mean the world to someone else, and can also improve our own happiness. The students and teachers at Community Access to the Arts, an organization that fosters and celebrates the artistry of people with disabilities, practice these things daily. And they were happy to teach us how at their annual performance and fundraiser, which brought a packed house to Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse on Saturday, May 14. This year’s theme, "Wallflowers," explored what it means to be seen, and how wonderful it feels to be recognized for something we do well. Above, gala committee member Hannah Piretti Keator poses with gala co-chairs Sharon and Matthew Mozian, and CATA's executive director Margaret Keller.
CATA's development and marketing director Emily Bronson with board president Steve Shatz and volunteer Leslie Shatz; Dan Lipson and Sue Lipson flank Colin Mathews.
Sally and Fred Harris, who are renovating Great Barrington's Saint James Place; Artist and Shakespeare & Co. board member Helga S. Orthofer with Eric Tucker and Susannah Millonzi.
Adam Hinds, executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, with Jennifer Galvagni, Yuki Cohen, Jen Glockner and Ted Glockner.
Board member Sharon Mozian with fellow gala committee members Tracy Mack, Michael Citrin and Eugene Cleary; CATA founder Sandy Newman and daughter Rebecca Newman.
Shela Hidalgo and Gary Levante; gala committee members Eve Goldberg and Brett Goldberg with Liana Toscanini and Jonathan Swartz.
Guests enjoyed a post-performance dinner catered by Firefly; Hank and Susan Ferlauto.
Margaret Keller addresses the packed house prior to the performance.
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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
