Leisureworld exhibit showcases the Art of Living
Residents possess timeless inner beauty
Monday June 21, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey
The symbol of Leisureworld’s second annual Art of Living Exhibit features an oyster revealing its pearl.

It’s a fitting image as the upcoming event promises to show how treasures develop with age, with 27 residents from 23 Leisureworld long-term care and retirement homes profiled.

This year features a new twist with the theme, The Timeless Inner Beauty of Age. The exhibit will highlight not only physical talents but inner attributes.

“Some of them are not artists, their inner beauty comes through their personality and the way they live their lives,” Leisureworld communications specialist Colleen Neufeld says.

Aging isn’t generally associated with beauty, Neufeld adds, but there are people who in spite of all the odds have a wonderful attitude towards life that is inspiring.

“They have an art of living. . . . This may not be traditionally looked at as art, but it is.”

Neufeld says people will leave the exhibit feeling "very good" and "inspired" because they can see aging in a different light.

“Sometimes we perceive older people as not that able or capable anymore, but they still are and they still have that. Even though they may not necessarily create art anymore, they still have that within them and (the exhibit is) to remind people of that, that they still are internally vibrant,” she says.

Neufeld notes she was moved while working on the exhibit, which also celebrates Seniors’ Month in Ontario.

“In preparing the program and writing (residents’) stories and sharing some of their comments, I found I was working with a smile on my face the whole time,” Neufeld says.

One featured resident, for example, has shown remarkable resiliency, cheerfulness and a zest for life while recovering from a stroke. Another resident at another home channelled a lifelong journey of self-discovery through painting.

Being part of the Art of Living Exhibit has come as an unexpected and pleasant surprise to residents and their families. Neufeld notes some of them “have been really thrilled.”

At least 14 of the featured residents will attend the opening reception June 24 at Toronto’s Dylan Ellis Gallery.

Sponsored by Classic Care Pharmacy, the reception runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Free public viewing takes place June 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and June 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors will be able to read profiles of featured residents and see portrait photos of them taken by Kevin Viner. Works of those residents with artistic talents will also be on display.

As well, a special print comprised of all of the portrait photos will be available for purchase at the event, with proceeds going to charity. A print costs $25, with a framed version available for $140.

Since some of the featured residents will not be attending the exhibit, kits will be assembled for further celebrations at participating homes.

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