Close Up and Far Away - Leonhardt Galleries

A stunning collection of paintings and drawings inspired by nature, created by artists with disabilities from Community Access to the Arts (CATA)Each work in the exhibit was created through Community Access to the Arts’ year-round workshops serving teens, adults, and elders with disabilities. Many of the works were created on-site at Berkshire Botanical Garden as part of an ongoing partnership between CATA and BBG—while others were created by CATA artists at day programs and residences serving people with disabilities across the Berkshires. The exhibit ranges widely in stylistic expression and scale of size, and features botanical studies, landscapes, wildlife portraits, and abstract paintings.



“We’re thrilled to partner with Berkshire Botanical Garden to celebrate the work of CATA artists,” says CATA Executive Director Margaret Keller. “Over the last year, Berkshire Botanical Garden has opened its grounds to our artists for tactile garden tours and en plein air arts workshops. Through these workshops, led by CATA faculty Pat Hogan, artists with disabilities explored new painting techniques and drew inspiration from textures, colors, and patterns found in our local environment. Their work will be paired with nature-inspired paintings by CATA artists from across Berkshire and Columbia counties.”



All works in the exhibit are professionally matted, framed, and available for sale, with proceeds supporting commissions for the individual artists. This exhibit is part of CATA’s “Art on Tour” program, where original works of art created by CATA artists travel throughout the year to museums, galleries, community centers, and other venues in Berkshire and Columbia counties