“I am thrilled that the community atmosphere will now have a permanent home right here in Great Barrington, and I am grateful to have been a part of the celebration today,” he added. “The impact CATA has on those with special abilities from all around Berkshire County is clearly shown through the good work they do every day to teach their students self-expression through the visual and performing arts,” said Pignatelli in his remarks. “It’s an example of how we translate or ideals and our principles into daily work: that we’re focused on inclusion, that we’re focused on the use of the arts to improve lives, to change lives-CATA represents all of that,” he added in a nod to the overwhelming community support for the local nonprofit, one Hinds noted will now be located on the “main drag.” Keller thanked Hinds, noting “he has also proven a strong ally before he even took office.” “CATA is an example of everything that is right in our community,” said Hinds. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox-the honorary co-chairs for CATA’s capital campaign-were on hand for the groundbreaking. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, at the June 10 groundbreaking of Community Access to the Arts’ new arts center. William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli, D-Lenox (at left), and Sen. Ninety percent of the workshops in the current CATA studio reached capacity, leaving little if any room for new CATA artists, and no space for artists who want to try new art forms. Quite frankly, we began to burst at the seams,” Keller said. “With all this growth, we began to bump up against the edges of the space we had rented for so many years. Over the past five years, CATA has expanded the number of artists served by 70 percent, tripled the number of students it is serving in special education programs in Berkshire County public schools and launched new partnerships with area agencies.
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Space where our staff can launch collaborations with partners-agencies, schools, and residences, plus museums, galleries, and theaters-to reach as many CATA artists as possible and to share their wondrous creativity with our entire community,” she added from her post in front of a banner declaring the reason for the crowd’s gathering: “Future Home of CATA!” Space where our faculty can create projects that open new doors for discovery. “Space where our artists can explore artforms and give voice to their unique perspectives. “This vision has always required space,” said Keller, who made her remarks from the grassy lawn outside the nonprofit’s new home. At left is American Sign Language interpreter Jenn Vorce. Margaret Keller, executive director of CATA, shared a vision for CATA’s future, one that includes: a beautiful new CATA Arts Center based on the Principles of Universal Design, including a fully accessible entrance and elevator two large studios, one dedicated to visual arts and writing and the other to dance and performing arts a kitchenette and lounge where CATA artists can gather for lunch with staff, faculty and volunteers exhibit space to display paintings by CATA artists and office space which, for the first time, positions CATA staff and artists under the same roof.CATA is celebrating – the groundbreaking of its new headquarters.ĬATA Executive Director Margaret Keller at the June 10 groundbreaking of CATA’s new arts center. The new space, located at 420 Stockbridge Road, will establish a permanent home for CATA and allow the organization to expand its innovative arts programs for people with disabilities. Great Barrington - Beneath clear blue skies, a team of Community Access to the Arts staff, board members and community supporters donned white hard hats and used red-handled spades to ceremoniously break ground at the nonprofit’s new digs late Monday morning (June 10). By Hannah Van Sickle, The Berkshire Edge ( view on )
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