NORWICH – Sponsored by the Chenango County Senior Citizens Council, in partnership with Golden Artist Colors and Wells Fargo Advisors Inc., the Still Creating II senior art exhibit will kick off its month-long run with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Chenango County Council of the Arts.
From Sept. 17 through Oct. 15, local art lovers will have an opportunity to experience original works created by area residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities, according to CCCA Operations and Program Director Joyce Zummo.
Approximately 20 long-term care residents of the Chenango Valley Home, Chenango Memorial Hospital, NYS Vets’ Home at Oxford, Chase Memorial Nursing Home, Pearl and Everett Gilmour Health Care Facility and Preston Manor have contributed to the exhibit.
Zummo said she’s impressed by the diversity of this year’s exhibit and while it’s not the Council of the Arts’ biggest show, it’s a “nice representation” expressed through a wide variety of media.
Chenango Valley Home resident Marjorie Murdoch, who painted the Still Creating II signature piece, said she first began drawing and painting over 50 years ago and picked up the hobby once again when she moved into the long-term care facility in 2003.
It all began, according to Murdoch, when her 4-year-old son Steve asked her to “draw him a cowboy.” She did her best, styling a rudimentary stick figure complete with a hat and gun.
As her first art critic, her son’s response of “that’s not a cowboy” inadvertently inspired Murdoch to continue learning and growing as an artist, she said, adding she was “kind of proud” of her signature piece.
“It’s such a wonderful thing and a chance for all of these residents to express their creativity and for the community to see how gifted these individuals are,” stated CMH Residential Health Care Facility Activities Director Karen Blackman. “They really enjoy it and it helps to give them purpose.”
Sue Young, a resident of the CMH facility and on-and-off artist in her youth, said she titled her drawing of a man deep in thought “Precious Friend,” in tribute to the “precious friendships you make in the nursing homes that will last forever” which “makes one value the time that we have.”
CMH resident Albert Dunham simplified it further and said he submitted his piece to show people he’s “still enjoying life.”
From the early 19th century art form of tatting to digital photography and everything in between, Zummo said visitors should expect to walk away with a new respect for area seniors and residents of long-term care and assisted living.
“This presentation really speaks to the talents and the enthusiasm of these residents, they’re amazing,” she added.
For more information on Still Creating II – The Artistry of Long-Term Care Residents contact the Chenango County Council of the Arts at 336-2787 or visit www.chenangoarts.org.