Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures: A celebration of creativity and community
In a world that moves at a fast pace, there is something profoundly beautiful about celebrating the timeless and ageless aspects of life. The LeadingAge PA Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures Gala did just that, creating a heartwarming and inspiring event that brought nearly 200 guests together to view the incredible talents of artists living in member communities across the state.
The heart of this event was in its celebration of creativity, community and the enduring spirit of our seniors, while dispelling the myths of ageism in the process. The juried art exhibition featured 49 selected pieces out of over 100 submitted, each a testament to the vibrant and rich artistic expression found within the older generation. These pieces not only showed the remarkable talents of these artists but also the power of art to unite and inspire, proving that beauty truly knows no boundaries of time or age.
Walking through the gallery of artwork, one could not help but be moved by the stories of each piece conveyed. These art pieces were not just ordinary, they were windows into the lives and experiences of the artists. From vivid landscapes that showed the beauty of nature and architecture, photographs of important moments to beautifully crafted sculptures and needle work, each piece told a unique story showing the passion that went into the pieces and the meaning that they serve.
Meditation “While visiting my daughter in Gloucester, MA, we sat on this bench and watched the ocean. It was a time of meditation and I will often reflect on this as a special time in my life.” – Patricia Tingue, Foxdale Village
Monarch Butterfly“I acquired this pattern from a friend who passed away. I enjoy working with wood and I decided to continue to make the butterflies to honor my friend and to ensure it would not become a lost art.” – Robert Springer, United Methodist Homes
Bloom Burst “I made this to represent what a legally blind senior can do. I cannot see to sketch, and I struggle with colors, most everything is nothing but a blur to me, so I paint freehand. I love to be creative and love to paint!” – Theresa Slider, Ware Presbyterian Village
The true magic of the event was the sense of community it brought. Artists, families, and communities across the state all came together to celebrate these talents and form connections. A heartwarming and memorable moment happened when an artist’s son came to appreciate his father’s artwork. The son beamed with pride, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to share this extraordinary moment with his father, one he will always cherish. Another moment was two grandsons attending to surprise their grandfather and showing so much excitement to see his art displayed. No matter where you looked, smiles and laughter filled the air. Memorable moments were being shared throughout the day. Artists captured memories by posing with their artwork, while groups came together for snapshots. Guests connected over delicious food and the venues resonated with beautiful music courtesy of Tenor, Brian Levesque and Harpist, Rachel Wachter, creating lasting memories for everyone. It was a reminder that no matter what stage of life you are in, art has the power to bridge gaps, ignite conversations and unite people from all walks of life.
Representative Kim, Chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, and LeadingAge PA’s Garry Pezzano and Marianne Lake spoke from the heart,words resonating with the audience as they celebrated older Pennsylvanians. But the art was not just confined by what was on display. The Gala also showcased the musical talents of Rachel Wachter, harpist, and Brian Levesque, tenor, as well as culinary talents, with Forefront’s talented Chef crafting masterpieces that were his own work of art, proving that art comes in many different forms.
As the event came to a close, it left us with a sense of appreciation for the creativity that dwells within us, regardless of age. It is a reminder that the art created by our seniors is not just beautiful, but it is a testament to the enduring heart. No matter our age, we all have something valuable to contribute to the world and to make a lasting impact.
Here’s what a few of the artists shared about their experience at the event:
“The entire ‘Ageless Art and Treasures’ event went ‘over the top.’ Everyone of your group was more than gracious and supportive in every manner desired. Your use of various means to display all the different forms of selected senior art was as creative as the art itself.”
“It was a wonderful and unexpected experience for me and my wife. The excellence of everything about the gala was a once-in-a-lifetime treasure for us. We were honored to be included.”
“I wanted to thank you and your entire organization for the really first class show. The entire afternoon was just terrific. From the opening cocktail hour to time I left including the entertainment it was just magnificent. I have been to and participated as an artist in a number of exhibition openings and can say that nothing even comes close. Your group’s exhibition reminds me of something out of the movies.”
The celebration of the LeadingAge PA Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures does not stop here! Over the next 12-18 months, this remarkable collection of art will travel to member communities across the Commonwealth in an effort to share the beautiful artwork with more people and dispel the myths of ageism in the process. Keep an eye on our website for a schedule of dates and locations.
You can also purchase the Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures coffee table book featuring all 112 submitted pieces of artwork and artist statements on our website.