Southbury Senior Living Community Preps for 10th Anniversary of Elaborate Senior Art Show

From Glynn Devins Public Relations: What started as a simple idea to showcase artwork of adults ages 70+ and encourage artistic endeavors by seniors, has now become an annual staple across the state. During its 10 years as Connecticut’s only senior juried art show, “The Art of Experience,” has seen more than 500 seniors from 100+ towns submit 2,200 pieces of artwork. The show is held at Pomperaug Woods, a senior living community in Southbury.

The competition includes paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures submitted from across the state. On August 28, a panel of four judges will narrow the 229 pieces of artwork down to a few select winners. The judges will spend an average of 15 minutes scrutinizing each piece for originality, skill, technique and composition. In the end, only one artist will take home this year’s Tommie Davis Award for Best in Show.

“It’s extraordinary and heartwarming to see how far this has come since we started it 10 years ago,” says Lisa Huebenthal, Director of Community Life Services at Pomperaug Woods. “The art show has more than tripled in size from the first year. It’s reached levels of prestige, from the entries all the way to the judges we have.”
Judges at “The Art of Experience” 2017 include notable artists Zufar Bikbov, David Merrill, Michele Murelli and John Rohlfing. After these judges narrow the selection, the public will have the opportunity to view the art pieces from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on September 23 – 24 at Pomperaug Woods.

This event is one of many activities offered at Pomperaug Woods throughout the year. The community emphasizes the importance of staying active as you age. A 2015 study from the Mayo Clinic found that involving older adults in artistic activity had the greatest proactive effect against cognitive impairment later in life.

Among various activities offered to residents at Pomperaug Woods, art-related classes and events are a significant part of the culture. “All the art, performing arts and engaging activities at our community are a big draw for older adults in the area to move here,” says Tara Justus, marketing director at the senior living community. “And the health benefits art has on older adults is extraordinary.”

Senior Juried Art Show By The Numbers:

• 124 seniors are participating in the 2017 show
• Seniors living in 45 towns submitted artwork
• Judges will look at 229 pieces of art work
• In 10 years, more than 500 seniors, from 100 different towns have submitted artwork
• A total of 2,200 pieces of art have been submitted in the art show’s 10 years

Image via Pixabay