Girl with binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Girl with binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Atop a green grassy hill overlooking a forest with water below. Mountains off in the distance.
Pleasant Valley, Lenox © Nicole Marcotte

Pleasant Valley News

Light Through the Leaves: A Nature-Inspired Exhibit by CATA Artists at Pleasant Valley

October 07, 2025

On Display October 9-November 18, 2025

Mass Audubon and Community Access to the Arts (CATA) present Light Through the Leaves, an exhibit of work by artists with disabilities inspired by the natural landscape of the Berkshires.

About the Exhibition

Light Through the Leaves features vibrant paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and sculptures by artists with disabilities from Community Access to the Arts (CATA).​

Many of the works were created on-site at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary as part of an ongoing partnership between CATA and Mass Audubon. Through tactile nature walks led by Mass Audubon educators, CATA artists created a vibrant collection of work inspired by the textures, colors, and patterns in our local landscape.

  • Brightly-colored painting of trees on the horizon at dawn
    Sunrise (2025) by Colin Grossman
  • Painting of bright, fall leaves on a tree
    The Changing Leaves in Fall (2024) by Laurie Sunderland
  • Brightly colored painting of a bunch of flowers
    Untitled by Marissa W

The exhibit also includes work created by CATA artists at day programs and residences serving people with disabilities, as well as in CATA’s studios in Great Barrington.​ Each piece is an invitation to see our world from another vantage point, and to immerse yourself in each CATA artist’s unique perspective.

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.

Opening Reception

Celebrate the artists and their work at the opening reception of the exhibition, on October 15 from 3:00-5:00 pm. This event is free with admission.

RSVPs are Requested

Visit the Exhibit

Light Through the Leaves will be on display in the historic barn at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, open daily from 9:00 am-4:00 pm, October 9-November 18. Admission to the exhibit is free with admission and free for Mass Audubon Members.

All works are professionally matted, framed, and available for sale, with proceeds supporting commissions for the individual artists.

Related Programs

Celebrate the opening of Pleasant Valley's new All Persons Trail on Friday, October 17.

For more information, please contact [email protected]