NORWICH – The Chenango County Council of the Arts is set to host the third “Still Creating” senior art exhibit, with an opening reception planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the council’s 27 West Main St. gallery.
Still Creating III: The Artistry of Long-Term Care Residents, will run through Oct. 12, and features the artwork of 56 senior residents of Chase Memorial Nursing Home, the Oxford Veterans’ Home, Valley View Manor, Chenango Valley Home and the UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, according to Joyce Zummo, operations and program director at the Council of the Arts.
“This is one of everybody’s favorite shows,” said Zummo. “Some of the artists don’t even begin their artwork until they enter a home. It’s such a reaffirmation that we show creativity in every phase of life.”
The popular exhibit is offered every other year – always in September – and was first inspired by Henry Drexler, who works for the county’s Area Agency on the Aging; sits on the Arts Council’s Board of Directors; and is an artist in his own right. A number of artistic mediums are represented as part of Still Creating, including paintings, photography, poetry, sculpture, acrylics, water colors and more.
Drexler said he’s feeling good about this year’s show, and he and Zummo expect a big turnout Friday. Local musician Marvin Mackoff has been tapped once again to perform on piano for the opening reception, and Zummo was proud to announce Betty Mumbalo, a resident at Chase Memorial Nursing Home, as the creator of this year’s signature piece, an extremely realistic papier mache lady’s hat.
“I think, from the get-go, this is really a different kind of art show,” said Chenango County Area Agency on the Aging Director Debra Sanderson. “Many of these people have not been artists for life, and for some it’s therapeutic. It’s truly an emotional experience for them and it’s wonderful to see [the artists] attend, it’s so meaningful to them.”
Van Mason, chair of the council’s gallery committee and a member of the board of directors, said many people – when thinking of an artist – don’t necessarily think of someone in a nursing home. Yet much of the artwork displayed as part of Still Creating III is, not surprisingly, of excellent quality, said Sanderson. This year, those visiting the gallery will have a chance to weigh-in on their favorite piece of art, she added, with a People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibit’s month-long run.
“They all impress me so much,” said Sanderson of the artists. “These are people often overlooked in our community and they still have a lot to offer. This is just one way for that to happen.”
Still Creating III is sponsored by the Chenango County Senior Citizens Council, Wal-Mart, Price Chopper, Skillin’s Jewelers, the Pennysaver, Wells Fargo Advisors and long-time contributor Henry Drexler. For more information contact the Chenango Arts Council at 336-2787 or visit chenangoarts.org.