This painting, by Sue Croll, will be featured in "I Am Part of Art."
PITTSFIELD – It's not your typical arts show.
On Saturday, Nov. 24, the Storefront Artists Project will open a show titled "I Am a Part of Art," an entire exhibit dedicated to showcasing work from featured participants of Community Access to the Arts, a Berkshire County nonprofit dedicated to embracing the creativity of those in the community with developmental disabilities.
Through visual and performing arts workshops, CATA seeks to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities, while raising awareness about how every individual can contribute something positive to the community through shared experiences.
"Our mission is to nurture and celebrate the creativity of those with disabilities and we've been doing that right here in the Berkshires for 15 years," said Rebecca Tucker-Smith, the Northern Berkshire program director for CATA.
Founded in 1993 by dancer Sandra Newman, CATA now offers more than 1,000 workshops annually to participants throughout the county. The SAP art show – which will feature work created throughout the year – serves the twofold purpose of highlighting the work of CATA artists and informing locals about the value of the workshops.
"This is a way for people to become familiar with CATA and to see the artwork as we are becoming more apparent in this region," said Tucker-Smith.
This year, CATA, which is based out of Great Barrington, has been focused on developing programs that will specifically target Northern Berkshire residents with disabilities, hosting more workshops in both Pittsfield and North Adams. With 26 faculty artists working with more than 500 participants, the workshops' expansion further north was the obvious next move, according to Tucker-Smith.
"We want to be in a number of different places and we want to have people see what we're doing here," she said.
As CATA continues to grow, they hope to offer more diverse workshops. Next year, the organization will begin a new series aimed at helping 18- to 25-year-olds adjust to life after school by complementing their workshops with transition planning and lifestyles education. With plans to begin in North County, the new programming is part of CATA's efforts to have a countywide presence.
"I Am a Part of Art" will feature work from artists throughout the county, even as more workshop participants are creating pieces that will be featured in another end-of-the-year exhibit. The show, which is sponsored by the Kinderhook Group Inc., will also exhibit items available through CATAdirect, an employment program that offers creative jobs to people with disabilities. Unique, handmade products, including jewelry, handbags and accessories, will be available for purchase at the reception.
A reception for the show will be held on Dec. 1, from 5–7 p.m. at the Storefront Artists Project gallery at 124 Fenn St. "I Am a Part of Art" runs from this Saturday, Nov. 24 to Dec. 15.
"The show can stand alone; by itself, the artwork is amazing. This is about chances for making connections. There's so much going on in the arts in Berkshire County and this is an opportunity to look at art a whole new way," said Tucker-Smith.
For more information on CATA, visit www.communityaccesstothearts.org/ or call (413) 442-7201.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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