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Creations will compete in state contest in September
BOARDMAN
Geraldine Washington and Margaret Voytko are among six Shepherd of the Valley-Boardman budding artists whose creations were judged and selected to compete in the statewide LeadingAge Ohio Art and Writing Show in Columbus Sept. 10-11.
Eight Shepherd of the Valley-Boardman residents entered artwork in the LeadingAge Ohio East/Mideast Region Art and Writing Show on June 15 at Regina Health Center in Richfield.
Residents who placed in the Special fine Art Category are: Theresa Copploe, second place, “Pussywillow Thumbprints;” Lucille Van Allen, third place, “Cherry Blossoms in the Spring;” and Margaret Voytko, honorable mention, “Tree of Pussywillows.”
Other residents who placed in the Special 3-D Category are: Mary Heslen, second place, “Heart Bird House;” Geraldine Washington, third place, “Circle Bird House;” and Muffy Andrews, honorable mention, “Purple Top Bird House.”
Washington, of Rogers, has lived at SOV-Boardman for two years, and Voytko, of Youngstown, has been there about four months.
Neither woman had painted before they created projects in art class, one of the activities, along with bingo, and playing cards and bands that come to entertain the residents.
“I paint to pass the time. It’s restful,” said Washington, who formerly worked as a registered home health aide for the Visiting Nurse Association.
“I had a good job. I helped a lot of people,” she said.
Washington has four sons: Michael McClendon and Benjamin McClendon, both of Boardman; Patrick McClendon in Tennessee; and Anthony McClendon, who is deceased.
She said she is excited to have her painting in Columbus to be seen and judged, and plans to give it to one of her sons so her eight grandchildren can see it.
Voytko, who described herself as an “outgoing” person who enjoyed going on bus trips to gamble, said she paints “just for fun.”
She said she looks forward to doing more artwork when it is offered as an activity.
“I enjoy it. I had to come to a nursing home to do it,” said Voytko, who worked 22 years at the Penn-Ohio Towel Supply Co. in Youngstown and 14 years at Windsor Nursing Home in Youngstown where she was housekeeping supervisor.
Never married, she said she has always been around kids and enjoys them, and has lots of nieces and nephews who take care of her, especially Tom and Sonja Voytko of Boardman.
The activities director at SOV-Boardman is Kim Osborn. Her assistant is Michele Sammartino.
In 2014, under the auspices of the LeadingAge Ohio Art and Writing Program, more than 1,100 entries were displayed and judged at the regional shows. The show judges are volunteers from the community or surrounding area with a background in the arts.