SNOW UPDATE: CATA Studio Programs cancelled Monday 2/23
SNOW UPDATE: CATA Studio Programs cancelled Monday 2/23
Get Involved
Explore our roster of weekly arts workshops for 2024-2025 taking place at the CATA Studios in Great Barrington. Advance registration is required for all programs listed below.
To sign up, please contact Kara Smith, CATA program Director, at Kara@CATAarts.org or call (413) 528-5485. Our friendly Program staff will be happy to talk with you about your interests and sign you up for workshops.
Joy of Drumming with Aimée Gelinas
Mondays | 1pm-2pm
Find your beat in this fun drumming class for all abilities! Together, we will explore the joy of drumming and singing with music from West Africa, the Caribbean, and around the world. In this workshop, you will learn percussion techniques, songs in many languages and styles, and the culture and history behind the music— all while building skills in hand-eye coordination, memory, and self confidence. Traditional instruments such as the Conga, Djembe, Djun Djun, Clave, Bell, Shekere, Kata and Maraca will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to perform for fellow CATA artists during a fun, informal “sharing.”
The CATA Beat with Aimée Gelinas
Mondays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
In this performance-focused drumming class, we’ll build upon our musical talents, learn new songs, and hone our skills as performers. Through fun and challenging songs and musical exercises, we’ll explore a range of traditional instruments such as the Conga, Djembe, Djun Djun, Clave, Bell, Shekere, Kata, and Maraca. We’ll also continue to boost our memory skills and hand-eye coordination by learning songs in many languages. We recommend that participants take “Joy of Drumming” before signing up for The CATA Beat. Drummers in The CATA Beat will prepare a piece to perform in the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026.
Making Music & Movement with Wes Buckley & Beth Liebowitz
Tuesdays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Join this collaborative workshop to explore dancing, making music, and combining them in new ways, where everyone can participate! We’ll spark creativity while building improvisation and active listening skills. Everyone is invited to play a role in shaping original pieces of music and movement from start to end. Participants will have the chance to perform for fellow CATA artists in a fun, informal “CATA Sharing.”
Making a Soundtrack with Wes Buckley
Tuesdays | 1pm-2pm
Have you ever wondered how the music in your favorite movie was made? Do you want to make your own music, with friends? This is the workshop for you! Together, we’ll create original music for film, dance, comic arts, poetry, and more— beginning with our own soundtrack for a stop-motion animated film created by CATA artists. Throughout the year, we’ll use different instruments with adaptive elements and technology, and we’ll write music together in exciting and inclusive ways. No music experience required!
CATA Serenaders with Wes Buckley & Katie Herbst
Thursdays | 10am-11am
In this performance-focused singing class, we’ll build on our musical talents and learn an exciting range of our favorite songs—chosen by you! We’ll also create our own original songs and everyone will have a creative role in writing lyrics, chords, and melodies to play and sing together. Along the way, we’ll practice and grow our singing, songwriting, and performance skills. Participants will prepare a piece to perform in the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026.
Sing It Out! with Katie Herbst
Thursdays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Let’s make music together! In this upbeat workshop, we’ll learn popular and favorite songs, as well as call-and-response melodies that have been used throughout history to bring people together. We’ll also explore songwriting and play instruments, using rhythm and melody to connect with our breath and bodies. Our goal? Joy, creativity, and connection! All vocal expression is welcomed and included. No experience necessary. Participants will have the opportunity to perform for fellow CATA artists during a fun, informal “sharing.”
Curtains Up: Making a Performance with Kelly Galvin, Katie Herbst & Caroline Calkins
Tuesdays | 1pm-2pm
Join us to explore how the magic of theater comes to life! We’ll go behind the scenes and experience how it feels to be a director, stage manager, choreographer, and more. Guest Artists will join us throughout the workshop to explore lighting, sound, costume, and set design— and we’ll visit local theaters to see how sets, props, and costumes are made. We’ll also learn how to make performance more accessible with captions, audio description, and more. You will have the opportunity to try out all of these exciting theater roles in this interactive, hands-on workshop!
Acting & Storytelling with Caitlin Langstaff (FALL ONLY)
Tuesdays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
Get into character for this new acting workshop! You’ll explore your talents while working on imaginative theater scenes, playing out stories from real life and creating new ones. You’ll learn acting skills to embrace personal expression and collaborative storytelling, working together to build community and exciting theatrical moments! Participants will have the opportunity to perform for fellow CATA artists during a fun, informal “sharing.”
Acting, Improv & More with Caroline Calkins (SPRING ONLY)
Tuesdays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
In this fun and playful workshop, we’ll explore the world of improv acting through games, scenes, and sensory activities. Join us and let’s use our voices, bodies, and imagination to tell stories and express our creativity! Together, we’ll hone our skills in collaboration, active listening, and problem solving, while building confidence as actors and performers. Open to all levels of experience— great for those who are new to theater and those who love the stage! Participants will have the opportunity to perform for fellow CATA artists during a fun, informal “sharing.”
Shakespeare’s Players with Gregory Boover, Caroline Calkins, Maddy Maggio, & Diane Prusha
Wednesdays | 10am-11am
Storytelling has been part of our human experience since the dawn of time—and Shakespeare’s Players is keeping this tradition alive! Participants will explore the emotions, ideas, characters, and stories in Shakespeare’s beloved plays and connect them to our own experiences. Together, we’ll learn the meaning behind Shakespeare’s most famous lines and perform our favorite scenes and monologues. Actors in Shakespeare’s Players will prepare a group performance for a “Shakespeare Sharing” in the spring, as well as for the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026.
Theater Deep Dive with Kelly Galvin, Ryan Winkles & Caroline Calkins
Fridays | 10am-11am
Stretch your acting skills in this lively and imaginative workshop! This program offers a deep dive into theater-making for theater lovers who want to explore different styles of acting and storytelling. We’ll explore a variety of characters, learn about improv, scene study, commedia and clowning, and physical storytelling— and we’ll create our own scenes and performances. Actors in Theater Deep Dive will prepare a group performance for the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026.
Latin Dance with Luana Dias David (FALL ONLY)
Mondays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Dive into new dances in this energizing workshop! We’ll practice a variety of Latin dance styles, listen to beats that keep us moving, and learn about the roots of Latin rhythms. Faculty artist Luana Dias David will bring her experience in Latin dance forms like Samba to create a high-spirited and culturally enriching environment where everyone is welcome!
New Dance Workshop with Francesca Baron
Mondays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Get ready to move your body in a brand-new CATA dance workshop launching this January! Thanks to your feedback, we’re expanding CATA dance programs to offer this new class where you can find joy in dance, learn new movement skills, groove together in group dances, and even express yourself in solos. Let us know if you’re interested and stay tuned for more on this fun and exciting dance workshop!
Inclusive Dance Floor with Beth Liebowitz and Amazing Guest Artists!
Tuesdays | 10am-11am
Find your inner beat in this lively and fun dance class! We’ll explore an exciting range of dance styles, from hip-hop and contemporary, to line-dance, salsa, broadway choreography, and more. Faculty Artist Beth Liebowitz will take us through the world of dance, with talented Guest Artists who will visit throughout the year to share their experience and teach us new techniques and movements (including Katie Drablos from the Radio City Rockettes, and many more!).
Making Music & Movement with Wes Buckley & Beth Liebowitz
Tuesdays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Join this fun and collaborative workshop to explore dancing, making music, and putting them together in new ways, where everyone can participate! We will spark creativity while building skills in improvisation and active listening. Everyone is invited to play a role in shaping original pieces of music and movement from beginning to end. Participants will have the opportunity to perform with the class for fellow CATA artists during a fun, informal “CATA Sharing.”
Juggling Connection with Maddy Maggio & Ryan Winkles
Wednesdays | 11:15am-12:15pm
Juggling Connection is a fun and inclusive ensemble that creates out-of-this-world juggling performances! Together, we’ll hone our performance skills and learn imaginative routines full of joy and creativity. Jugglers will learn muscle memory patterns and strengthen fine motor skills using balls, rings, scarves, and more. Juggling techniques will be adapted for every ability. Props and adaptive tools will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to perform with Juggling Connection in the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026. You’re also welcome to join the workshop if you prefer not to perform.
Sensory-Friendly Dance Flow with Francesca Baron
Wednesdays | 1pm-2pm
This dance workshop offers an inclusive and flexible space for those who prefer a sensory-friendly environment, with dimmer lighting, quieter music, and a wide range of movement options. A quiet space is also available for those who wish to take breaks during the workshop. The workshop begins with stretching and warm-ups, followed by solo and group dances with soft scarves and buddy bands to maintain personal space. CATA faculty will design the activities and pacing of the workshop based on your sensory needs. This is a welcoming and judgement-free space where you’re invited to move and flow at your own pace. (Please note: This workshop is limited to 10 CATA artists).
Groove Collective with Beth Liebowitz
Wednesdays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
Groove Collective is an inclusive dance company that celebrates each dancer’s unique style of moving. Together, we create dance pieces that express the joy and freedom of movement—and inspire audiences to groove along with us! We will create our own movement warm-ups, explore dance styles and techniques, and create original choreography. No previous experience is required, just a love of dance! This workshop will include repeating and memorizing choreography. Dancers in this workshop will prepare a group performance for the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2026.
Yoga with Paula Boyajian
Thursdays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
In this inclusive and gentle yoga class, we’ll tap into our breathing, learn poses to release tension, strengthen our bodies and postures, build confidence, and boost our spirits. Each workshop begins with a calming exercise focusing on our breath, then we’ll learn fun, restorative yoga poses designed to relieve stress and promote wellbeing. Postures will be adapted for all abilities and those using chairs. Join us for uplifting and judgment-free yoga!
The Moving Company with Derion Loman & Emily Kent (Pilobolus Dance Company)
Fridays | 11:15am-12:15pm
The Moving Company is a mixed-ability dance company that creates exciting and expressive performances. The Moving Company offers a deep dive into dance-making for those with a passion for performing and creating original choreography. The Moving Company builds on skills introduced in CATA’s non-performing dance workshops, such as memorization, repetition of choreography, and dancing collaboratively as part of a group. Dancers in The Moving Company will prepare a group performance in the CATA Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May 2025.
Dance to the Beat with Francesca Baron
Fridays | 1pm-2pm
A fun and inclusive dance workshop that will get your body moving! Each class starts with a movement exercise to wake up, strengthen, and stretch different parts of the body. Then, we’ll learn exciting new dance styles, build social and communication skills, and have fun in a welcoming, judgment-free zone.
Through the Lens: Photography, Video, and More with Lucie Castaldo
Mondays | 10-11am
Lights, camera, action! Join us for this interactive workshop where we’ll learn all about using the camera on an iPad (provided by CATA), explore the world of digital and traditional photography, and learn how to use photos and video to express your creativity. We’ll take trips to nearby nature preserves and other landmarks where we’ll put our photography skills into practice. CATA artists will also have the opportunity to visit the CTSB-TV studios, learn about film and video editing, and help film CATA’s Annual Performance at Shakespeare & Company in May. iPads will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to have their photography included in a CATA art show.
Great Impressions: Projects in Printmaking with Lucie Castaldo
Mondays | 1-2pm (FALL ONLY)
Ready to roll up your sleeves and get inky? Welcome to the world of printmaking! In this class, we’ll explore a variety of printmaking techniques to bring your creative ideas to life. We’ll print “cardboard collages” to make collagraphs (fun prints using 3D materials!), discover “ghost prints” with monotypes, and design and print blocks to create greeting cards, t-shirts, and more. Along the way, we’ll learn about printmaking artists from around the world and create one-of-a-kind artistic impressions! Participants will have the opportunity to have their prints included in a CATA art show.
Making Costumes, Sets & More with Lucie Castaldo & Adam Gudeon (SPRING ONLY)
Mondays | 1-2pm
Use your creativity to design vibrant costumes and props that bring CATA performances to life on stage! We’ll learn all about theater design— how we can create imaginative worlds onstage and transform performers into fantastic characters. Throughout the workshop series, we’ll be joined by guest artists including scenic, costume, and lighting designers to learn how they bring the magic of theater to life! Participants will play a hands-on role in creating the costumes, props, and set for CATA’s Annual Performance.
CATAdirect Craft Cooperative with Lauren Levato Coyne
Tuesdays | 10am-11:30am
A community-centered craft cooperative where artists with disabilities work side-by-side with volunteers to create beautiful, hand-made products. CATA artists have a hand in designing, creating, and packaging each product, including greeting cards, tea towels, napkins, dryer balls, jewelry, bandanas, and more. Products are sold online and in local stores, sharing CATA’s mission of inclusion with the community.
Sculpture with Clay, Wood, Wire, & More! with Lauren Levato Coyne
Wednesdays | 10am-11am
Let your creativity flow in this hands-on sculpture workshop! Participants will create one-of-a-kind projects working with a variety of materials including wood, modeling clay, wire, fabric, natural materials, silicone, plaster, and more. We’ll take field trips to cultural and scenic destinations in the Berkshires to get inspiration for our own original works of art. Adaptive tools and techniques will be available to meet the needs of all participants, including artists who are blind or have low vision. Participants will have the opportunity to have their artwork included in a CATA art show.
Painting and Drawing with Lauren Levato Coyne
Wednesdays | 11:30am-12:30pm
Create your own original drawings and paintings with pencils, markers, watercolor, acrylic, and tempera. We’ll bring our creative ideas to life as we express who we are and how we view the world through portrait, still life, and landscape paintings. We’ll also learn about artists from around the world and explore new formats in painting, including double-sided paintings, collaborations, and painting swaps. Along the way, we’ll take field trips to cultural and scenic destinations in the Berkshires to get inspiration for our own original works of art. Participants will have the opportunity to have their artwork included in a CATA art show.
Writers’ Workshop with Janet Reich Elsbach and Special Guests
Wednesdays | 1pm-2pm
Everyone has a story to tell! Join us in the CATA Writers’ Workshop and let’s share our stories together. We’ll explore a range of writing forms including poetry, prose, short story, and interviews— and we’ll use painting, sculpture, music, video, and more to inspire our writing. You do not need to physically write. Volunteer scribes are available to work one-on-one with CATA writers to help put your ideas on paper. We’ll also be joined by exciting Guest Artists throughout the year! CATA writers will have the opportunity to have their writing featured in a CATA Reading.
Making an Art Show with Jeff Gagnon, Kara Smith and Courtney Maxwell (SPRING ONLY)
Wednesdays | 2:15pm-3:15pm
Join us to learn the ins and outs of putting on an art show—from paint brush to art opening! We’ll go behind-the-scenes to explore how artwork is framed, photographed, and hung in a gallery. We’ll learn how art shows are “curated”— using our imagination to select artwork and create themes and groupings that tell a story. You’ll even get to take on a role as a curator to help bring one of CATA’s art exhibits to life! We’ll visit local museums and galleries to meet professional curators and preparators, and we’ll create our own artwork to be included in one of CATA’s art exhibits. Participants will have the opportunity to co-curate a CATA art exhibit, help create our exhibit audio guides, and more!
Creating Comics, Illustrations, & Animations with Adam Gudeon
Thursdays | 10am-11am
KAPOW! Bring your imagination to life through comics, animation, and more! We’ll design our own characters and explore storytelling through illustration. Participants will make original comics and experiment with painting, collage, sculpture, and stop-motion animation! By the end of the workshop, we’ll make individual comics which will be included in an all-class “zine” for everyone to take home! Activities will be adapted for all abilities— all are welcome. Participants will have the opportunity to have their comics or animations included in one of CATA’s art shows.
Creative Art Projects with Kara Smith, Courtney Maxwell, and Friends
Fridays | 10am-11am
Get ready to create one-of-a-kind works of art—in painting, sculpture, collage, printmaking, and so much more! We’ll take field trips around the Berkshires to public gardens, nature preserves, museums and cultural spots to inspire our work. Along the way, we’ll experiment with new media and materials, explore how we can use our body and senses to make fantastic art, and learn about important art and artists from around the world. Participants will have the opportunity to have their artwork included in one of CATA’s art shows.
Adaptive Painting: Artistic Realization Technologies
CATA’s adaptive painting workshops are designed to meet the needs of artists with a broad range of disabilities, including those who may not be able to hold or move a paintbrush. In this program, you’ll work one-on-one with a CATA Faculty Artist and use adaptive tools to create stunning works of art. We tailor this workshop to your needs, using techniques inspired by “Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.)”— a program developed by the artist Tim Lefens where artists direct the movement of the paintbrush using a laser pointer. CATA has expanded this technique to make painting accessible for anyone with an interest in painting. Please let us know if you are interested in this program and we will work with you on scheduling.
Supported Studio
CATA’s Supported Studio program is designed for CATA artists who are ready to take the next step forward in their growth as painters and visual artists—and have a desire to work independently on their own self-directed projects with the support of a CATA Faculty Mentor. Artists in the Supported Studio will develop personal goals for their work in the studio, explore new media and techniques, have the opportunity to research art, artists, and topics of interest, and work on a series, commission, or other project at their own pace. Artists will have access to high-quality art materials and faculty mentorship to assist them in creating their own body of work. Please let us know if you are interested in this program and we will work with you on scheduling.
Did you know?
CATA also partners with day programs, schools, community centers, and nursing homes to offer year-round, inclusive arts programs all across the community.
Call us at (413) 528-5485 or email Kara@CATAarts.org for info.
CATA’s studio workshop schedule may change. Please contact our office for an up-to-date schedule.
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