Seniors show artistic side

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Helen Lucas, 100, of Austintown, above, won a Juror’s Choice Award. Winning an award for Creativity was Janet Freisen of Austintown, at left.

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Staff report

BOARDMAN

The fourth annual “Centered: Slightly Off-Center” senior citizens art show reception took place at the Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road, on June 22.

More than 80 paintings from artists in 12 local residential centers are on display until the beginning of July.

Centers that participated this year are Ashley Circle, Autumn Hills, Beeghly Oaks, Boardman Vista Center, Briarfield Manor, The Commons at Greenbriar, Glenellen Senior Living, The Inn at Christine Valley, The Inn at Ironwood, The Manor at Autumn Hills, the Ridge, and Victoria House.

The artists are a variety of ages. Some are healthy and active residents from assisted living facilities, but most of them have many physical ailments which limit their mobility and require specialty care.

All belong to painting clubs, which are open to all residents. The oldest painter is Helen Lucas, 100, who lives at Briarfield Manor in Austintown. She has been an active member since the club began six years ago.

The judge this year was Marcie Roepke-Applegate.

First, second and third prizes were awarded for each facility, and others were given for work deemed best overall. Best of Show went to Dorothy Beckley of North Lima; Juror’s Choice, Beryl Habeger, Canfield, and Lucas; Award of Excellence, Evelyn Domhoff, Boardman, and Dorothie Wiley, North Lima; Perseverance and Good Humor, Donna Brodigan, Boardman, and Sue Hepp, Cornersburg; Creativity, Janet Freisen, Austintown; Spirit, Margaret Fitzgerald, Austintown; and Picasso Award, Tami Sandford, Austintown.

More than $600 in prizes were awarded.