Bethel Residents Receive Statewide Art Accolades

From the Bethel Homes & Services: The artwork of Barbara Abel, Janet Willsea, Al Ferrara and Ruth Dove Knight, residents at Bethel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (BNRC) in Croton-on-Hudson, has received recognition as part of a statewide competition. Sponsored by Leading Age New York, an organization which represents 600 not-for-profit continuing care providers, the annual competition received 235 entries for consideration.

“We are so proud of our residents and their creative ability,” says Janet Levine, administrator at BNRC. “And it’s wonderful that Leading Age offers this competition to give seniors a chance to share their talents throughout the state,” she continued.

Ms. Abel’s artwork was chosen to be part of a select 70 piece display that will travel to the leading Age Annual Conference in Saratoga later this month and will also be on exhibit during another regional conference in the fall. Currently, it is on display in the lobby of Leading Age headquarters in Latham, NY.

Ms. Willsea’s piece received the Gallery Award and is on display in the public area of Leading Age offices.

The artwork of Mr. Ferrara and Ms. Knight both received the organization’s Staff Choice Award and their pieces will hang in staff member offices until returned in December.

“I am so happy for all four of our residents to have placed in the competition,” says Susan Mouris, Director of Recreation at BNRC. “I am also thrilled for our Recreation Leader and artist, Gloria Kearsley, who leads the art class each week and inspires our residents to develop their creative expression,” she continued. Ms. Kearsley continues a family talent and passion for art, excelling in various mediums. She enthusiastically shares this expertise with Bethel’s residents.

During the weekly sessions, Ms. Kearsley discusses subjects and techniques with the class. She also offers encouragement for those not used to painting or drawing. “It’s amazing to see their creativity show through with their artwork,” says Ms. Kearsley. “And I’m happy that they let me pull that creativity out of them,” she continued.

“Serenity” is the name of Ms. Abel’s piece, an ink drawing of an Asian woman, and she is happy that it was selected as part of the travelling exhibit. “I think it’s wonderful and it also makes me very happy because I had always wanted to be an artist. So, having the opportunity to express myself through art and be recognized is really nice.”

Ms. Willsea says that although she didn’t do artwork before coming to Bethel, she always enjoyed household tasks that involved painting. And now that Ms. Kearsley has introduced her to painting as an art form, she is loving it. “I really look forward to the class and it makes me feel good that my artwork was chosen,” says Ms. Willsea. Her winning piece was a painting of a swan.

Ms. Knight, whose painting of a bottle and glass of wine won a staff choice award, says being an artist was not something she had considered to be in her realm of ability, “I never thought this was something I would ever do. I can’t draw, but Gloria works with us to see what we can do. She is kind and patient and has taught us so much,” she says. “I enjoy that class more than anything else I do,” Ms. Knight continued, “You see a little bit of yourself in everything you create.”

Mr. Ferrara, whose selected artwork was a painting of a lighthouse, said, “I’m so happy it was chosen. I had painted another lighthouse scene, but we decided to submit this one.” He said that he is about to start work on another, larger painting and is looking forward to discussing it with Ms. Kearsley.

Says Ms. Kearsley, “I always challenge the residents to keep going and I never allow them to give up. You can see the pride they take in their work. I am so excited for them to have their art be recognized by Leading Age.”

Image via Shutterstock