19 Aug CATA’S ANNUAL POETRY READING RETURNS TO THE MOUNT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2019
Contact: Chris Watford
(413) 528-5485
Images available upon request
CATA’S ANNUAL POETRY READING RETURNS TO THE MOUNT ON SEPTEMBER 4 — Celebrating the work of writers with disabilities
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA—Community Access to the Arts (CATA) presents its Annual Poetry Reading— a vibrant celebration of CATA writers with disabilities— on September 4 at 5:30pm at The Mount, located at 2 Plunkett St. in Lenox. The evening will feature local luminaries and community readers in a dynamic reading of works created in the CATA Writers’ Workshop, a nine-month class where writers with disabilities hone their craft and express their unique perspectives.
“We’re thrilled to partner with The Mount for our fourth year to share the powerful work of our writers,” says CATA Executive Director Margaret Keller. “In our weekly workshops, CATA writers tap into their individual style and express their creative voices. By sharing this work in a dynamic program at The Mount, we get to spotlight talents and perspectives that many people would not otherwise have the chance to encounter.”
Since 2005, writers with disabilities have explored creative and expressive writing forms through CATA’s weekly Writers’ Workshop, developing their talents in poetry, haiku, autobiography, and short stories. CATA faculty artist Janet Reich Elsbach— a talented local writer as well as a gifted teacher— leads the workshops with an inventive curriculum that helps each CATA writer tap into their individual style. As needed, some CATA writers work with “scribes” to help them put their ideas on paper.
Reservations are required for this free event. Please call CATA’s office at 413-528-5485 to reserve your seat by August 28.
In conjunction with CATA’s Poetry Reading, The Mount presents an exhibit of paintings created by CATA artists with disabilities using a variety of modified painting techniques. Artists in the exhibit participate in CATA programs through Berkshire Family & Individual Resources (BFAIR) and Berkshire County Arc (BCArc). The exhibit will be on display at the Stable at The Mount from September 4 to September 30, 2019.
CATA’s Annual Poetry Reading is made possible by Berkshire Magazine, Canyon Ranch, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and other generous supporters.
About Community Access to the Arts: Now in its 27th year, Community Access to the Arts (CATA) nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities. Through dynamic arts workshops and public events, CATA artists tap into their potential, explore new talents, and share their unique points of view with the wider community. CATA collaborates with 47 partner organizations to bring visual and performing arts programs to 800 people with disabilities across Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Columbia County, New York. Learn more at CATAarts.org.
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