NORWICH – Residents at Valley View Manor brought their artistic talents into the spotlight during an art exhibition and champagne reception titled “Art From Our Heart,” held in the main lobby of Valley View on Wednesday.
Art projects ranging from paintings and pencil portraits to knitted doilies and colored ceramics decorated the walls of the lobby. All art was crafted by the hands of residents and available to purchase by attending art enthusiasts. Local artist Robert Paul Tita (going by the name Roberto in his work) was highlighted as the main contributor during this reception and was instrumental in turning the idea of an art show at the nursing home into a reality.
Valley View residents often use art as a method of therapy and rehabilitation. As a short-term rehabilitation resident at the facility, Tita relies on art to phase out some of the physical strains of the rehabilitation process while also interpreting some of his own feelings, thoughts and visions into something tangible.
Tita told stories of how art influenced his childhood. He was taking high school art classes when he was only in the seventh grade. Later on, as an art major at SUNY Binghamton, he became dependent on his work as a mode of self-encouragement – a dependency he’s maintained throughout his life.
“When I do art, I lose touch of everything else,” said Tita while showing off some of his works Wednesday afternoon. “If I didn’t have art, I wouldn’t have life.”
“Art is a powerful medium of expression, and our residents share rich and powerful stories through their artwork,” said Deborah Zionc, admissions and marketing director at Valley View. “At Valley View, we feel that art in any form is not only healing to the body, but nourishes the mind, the soul and the heart.”
Art work will be displayed and available to purchase through March 5 in the lobby of Valley View Manor on 40 Park St. For more information, contact Valley View at 334-9931.