Courtland Gardens Art Show

Everyone knows Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keeffe were great artists, but how about Sonia Foster, Gladys Boxley and Cynthia Weisbrot?

They are just three of 37 visual artists, creative writers, dancers and musicians who took part in the first annual Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Art Show on a recent March day.

Residents of this Randallstown center began working on their masterpieces at the end of December with the help of the staff in the Therapeutic Recreation Department.

Their visual artworks included nearly 50 paintings, pieces of jewelry, pottery, mixed media and a diorama. Poetry and a short story were read aloud at the show. There were two dances, and the musical selections included two singers, a pianist and the Courtland Ringers, who played the bells.

“All of the staff members in the Therapeutic Recreation Department were excited to help the residents express themselves creatively. We worked one-on-one with each person who wanted to take part in the show,” said Rachel Plotycia, CTRS. “It turns out along the way, we learned a lot about our residents. It was a chance to spend time talking and bonding with them, and we’ve been building on those relationships ever since,” concluded the certified therapeutic recreation specialist.

In addition to an afternoon show, the residents and staff staged a repeat performance in the evening so that their family members could enjoy the festivities. Can’t wait until next year!