Inclusion in action! We were thrilled to welcome the Du Bois Middle School 6th graders to CATA to cap off a year-long collaboration with our CATA Writers' Workshop. 📝 All year, the 6th graders have been learning about disability, inclusion, and challenging stereotypes— and CATA artists been sharing their ideas and perspectives with this amazing group of teens. After exchanging notebooks and writing prompts with our CATA writers, they all came together for a special reading of their work, led by CATA Faculty Janet Reich Elsbach, followed by a collaborative art and writing project. 🙌 Thanks to the students and staff at Du Bois Middle School (especially Kim Cormier!) for your partnership! Image description: Groups of CATA artists and middle school students working on art pieces, as well as watching Janet Reich Elsbach give a reading next to abstract art on easels. (fb)

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that CATA honors and remembers the life of our staff member, colleague, and dear friend David Dashiell. David’s generous and kind spirit, his witty humor, and his creative talents touched so many in our CATA community. David was an integral member of our CATA staff, where he served as our Development Associate and previously as Administrative Associate. David’s work at CATA also extended beyond our office, where he drew on his immense talents as a photographer to capture stunning photographs of CATA artists in workshops, performances, and exhibits across the Berkshires. We are sending our deepest sympathies to David’s husband Norton Owen, and to all of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him. In David's honor, we want to share a selection of the stunning, heart-filled photos that he took of our CATA community— including this beautiful self portrait he took for our staff directory. You can view more of David's photos at https://cataarts.org/2025/05/21/loving-memory-of-david-dashiell/ You can read David’s full obituary here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/berkshire/name/david-dashiell-obituary?id=58362557#obituary (fb)