Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is holding its 20th annual “Celebrate Arts & Aging” (CAA) event, featuring artwork created by adults over 55. In conjunction with Older Americans Month, the show runs from May 1 to 31. Its purpose is to highlight that one’s later years can be a period of immense growth and productivity that can lead to improved health and wellbeing.
“We are lucky to be able to spotlight 125 talented artists who are willing to share their new or existing talents at this event,” says Najja R. Orr, President of PCA. “Creative endeavors can lead to improvement, in general wellness and quality of life. For many older adults, this can be a period of immense growth and productivity, and the art show enthusiastically illustrates that fact.”
When she was four years old, Mary Narissa Ferrer would give paintings to people in her neighborhood. Always drawn to the arts, Ferrer could not decide whether to pursue art or the theater. After living an adventurous life – serving in the Navy, performing as an actress (including a guest appearance on the “Sergeant Bilko” show), living in Spain for a decade, and owning a gallery in Mexico for 25 years – she moved back to her hometown of Philadelphia about ten years ago. Now at 98, she paints every day.
“Painting is all I want to do right now,” says Ferrer. “It just pours out of me,” she continues. “When I begin to put color to the canvas, I see things and then continue to paint based on what comes out. Abstracts come from within.” Her submission to this year’s CAA is a dynamic abstract painting entitled “Cobra Strikes Back.”
While doing some research for a redecorating project after he retired from 30 years of dentistry, Warren Veith discovered a process called “sublimation,” in which photographs are transferred onto mosaic tiles. South Philadelphia resident Veith taught himself how to do it with Photoshop and began photographing seriously on trips to Italy. Shooting mostly landmarks and structures, Veith, 83, says, “I’m not a photojournalist. I just take pictures.” Now he “takes pictures” around Philadelphia and incorporates them into mosaic pieces, working on projects ranging from coasters to entire muraled walls. This year, his submission to CAA is a photo of the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center in Fairmount Park.
Hosting the show virtually for the past two years during the pandemic enabled older artists to participate without putting their health at risk. This year’s CAA is a hybrid event, offering an in-person connection as well as the opportunity to reach a larger audience. The show features selected pieces on display for public viewing in Gallery West of the Parkway Central branch of Philadelphia Free Library, where an opening reception was held on May 6, as well as the Center on the Hill in Chestnut Hill, where there will be a closing reception on May 26 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.
In addition, the full collection has been compiled into a virtual show available online via PCA’s website (PCAcares.org/celebrate) and social media vehicles.
For nearly 50 years, PCA has served older Philadelphians. Over that time, the realities of aging have changed, but perceptions have not. It is still viewed as a negative by many people. CAA helps communicate to the public through a positive, celebratory vehicle that life is vibrant at any age
