2023 Senior Showcase
Every year in May, Older Americans Month is commemorated to encourage and recognize the countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. It is in appreciation of their time, experience, and talents that enrich the lives of those around them. This year we focused on celebrating the beauty created by our members through their art.
We have the pleasure of getting to know our members on a personal level, learning about their professional careers, volunteer work, hobbies and interests. We knew our members were talented individuals, but when we asked for submissions to the Showcase were we impressed. Wow! As you look through the photographs, join us in applauding their unique skills and accomplishments. Thank you to everyone who participated in this project.
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives
of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” ―
Barb Banninga
“My mom taught me how to crochet, knit and use a loom to make hot pads and other things when I was about 10. Since that time, I decided that I preferred crocheting over knitting. When I was in high school, I designed a loom hot pad with yarn. I decided to submit one I made in the 90’s that is still in good condition.”
Ron Baxter
“Since April 2021 I have been making copper long stem roses. I saw a guy on TV who had made a rose. I looked at it and thought ‘I can make that’. They get better every time I make one. I have been giving them away. Only special people get a rose. The roses are made out of copper sheet, 22 gauge thick. The stem is copper tubing. The base is made from wood mailbox post. I use a controlled burn so that I can burn out the soft wood and expose the harder grain. I think my sons are a little bit nervous when I do that.”
Pat Blankenship
“A friend of mine taught me cross stitch. Each piece is different, from 3 hours to 3 weeks to make. I like making then because giving them as gifts for friends and family is special. My husband worked on the railroad. The boots and lantern remind me of him. My mom’s mailbox was on a pump, and it reminds me of her.”
Janet Chytil
“I’ve seen other people quilting, and I decided I should challenge myself. It’s taken a long time to finish the quilt (queen size), but it’s relaxing to work on. I’ll be glad when it’s finished.”
Virginia Draus
“I’ve always liked putting puzzles together. I’m not sure how long this one took to assemble. Maybe two to three weeks. It was quite challenging. It is quite unique and that is why I decided to frame it. I now have a great piece of art. It is a wooden puzzle of a whale with 346 pieces.”
Judy Elliott
“While I was cutting out squares a left-handed embroiderer came in and so kindly and patiently taught me how to embroider. The result are all of these tea towels that I have slowly embroidered and have sold at the craft fairs at Holy Cross Church to make some money to support what they do. Finding time to do this has been my challenge.”
Liz Fox
“I sew! I cut up perfectly good material and sew it back together in hopefully a ‘better’ and more interesting way.”
Kathy Goodall
“My hobbies have included gardening, reading and cooking. Since I began making necklaces three years ago with the encouragement and guidance of my friend Bernice, who is an avid beader herself, I have added beading to my list of hobbies. I enjoy creating the jewelry especially when I have someone in mind to whom I will be giving it.”
“The two necklaces in today’s show are: Memories of Tanzania and Forever One. These necklaces are made using beads from repurposed jewelry found in thrift stores, trinkets and souvenirs collected on vacation and beads purchased in retail craft stores.”
Al Gould
“Growing up on a farm, I learned basic carpentry at an early age. Summer jobs during high school and college included several construction projects, which has allowed me to build several decks for family and friends. Fast forward to my retirement from Nebraska Medicine three years ago. This seemed like an opportunity to devote more time to woodworking, and I set up a small business, Hayseed’s Woodshop, with the hope that this hobby would pay for itself.
Jeanne Cejka-Gregory
“This is an art quilt I started just as Russia invaded Ukraine. It is still my prayer that democracy will prevail around the world.”
Joe Gregory
“My lighthouse reflects hope even in turbulent times. The image can be symbolic of both in inner and outer world”
Barb Greise
“My submission is a fisherman knit sweater. I first learned to knit at age 7. I was taught by a babysitter as my mother tried and said I was too stubborn to learn. I’ve knitted 2 similar sweaters as gifts and always wanted one myself. I started my sweater quite a few years ago and worked on it very off and on for about 7 years. I finally finished it last May.”
Deb Hickman
“I’ve been making quilts and fiber art for 39 years. These two pieces are a fiber art ‘challenge’. I got a mystery sack with items to use and made my own design. I liked the ‘challenge” part of these projects”
Joan Howard
“I consider myself an amateur artist. I am a dabbler in many medium, and accomplished in none! The ink art is Japanese “Sumi-e” ink painting. It is my name in Japanese. The watercolor piece is one of my favorite pieces, “Our Three Boys”.
Mary Jachym
“Every area of Poland has a different traditional costume. This is a Krakowianko from Kraków where I am from.”
Barbara Jessing
“I create paper arts. I started learning to fold Origami some years ago when a friend gave me a calendar which had a different fold for every day. I looked for ways to make useful and decorative items using traditional Origami papers and folds. I also use a variety of recycled and found papers in my designs. I take my paper arts to various artisan and farmers markets. On my Facebook Page (Fontenelle House) you can see where I am scheduled to be.”
Patty Jones
“I was inspired by nature, seashells and driftwood. I started out making these ‘tree charms’ as therapy, then sold them at farmers markets, then gave them away. Now it’s back to therapy (and art shows, lol).”
Maggie Kelly
“I was looking for a gift for someone who likes kaleidoscopes. I found a class, which led me to more classes, and an interest. I got into silversmithing for something to do. It’s my favorite thing to do. I also have woodturning and stained glass. I think everybody needs to be creative. It’s part of us, as people.”
Diana Kessler
“I was taught by my mother to crochet when I was 10. My piece was a sweater, and it was made with wool. And my mother washed it, and it didn’t shrink at all. It was so tight it stayed the same. I do not know how long it took. I babysat and the lady was having a baby. I love to give away my work it made me happy to see people enjoy it. I have made many things. I do not like doing a project more than once I enjoy doing something new.”
Peg Lowndes
“I began counted-cross as a young adult. I love the precision of it. I love to take a blank canvas, needle, thread and x’s, and turn it into a lovely picture. I chose this work because Christmas is my favorite.”
Margaret Noll
“I came up with the idea on my own to make Christmas cards with pieces of old Christmas cards. One card takes about 15 minutes to make. I love to make Christmas crafts. From about Sept thru Jan or Feb, I work on making the Christmas cards out of old Christmas cards. I describe my Christmas cards as ‘quilting and piecing with paper'”.
Jim O’Keefe
“The painting on a shade is stories of our families over the years. I’ve been a sign writer for 52 years”
Karen O’Keefe
“My daughter and I used to paint together. It’s calming. The paintings I made are ‘Cowboy on Horse Shooting Buffalo’ and ‘Walking Crow’. No one taught me, I just copied a picture I liked.”
Linda Pratt
“I loved this little fox, and the ice surrounding him set off by his beautiful coat. Painting the fox was pure pleasure as I watched him come to ‘life’ at the end of my brush.”
“The goldfinch was one of a series of watercolors I did of my favorite birds. I have the goldfinch hanging in my kitchen lighting the room with his golden feathers.”
Penny Reese
“This followed some watercolor classes for adults at Ralston High School. I was looking for something to paint when I ran across a Lifesaver candy ad in a magazine. I left out the print background and used a single color of paint. It turned out fine. But everything is better with Lifesavers, be it a painting or Johnny’s lost baseball game.”
Becky Shuster
“My mother taught me to knit when I was about 9, but I didn’t really start making anything until I was 13. I knit the lace shawl and the sweater with wool I brought back from Scotland, so they are my ‘souvenirs’. Knitting is relaxing and contemplative for me, so I always have at least one project on my needles.”
Pat Slaven
“My acrylic painting is based on a photo I took on one of my walks at OPPD during COVID, when there were still a lot of closures and restrictions. It was fall and I was taken by the beautiful Sumac foliage. I mainly paint landscapes and vignettes of places I’ve been. It’s very satisfying and therapeutic.”
Donna Weidenbusch
“I started making jewelry when I was a teenager. I like how relaxing it is to work on.”
