Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show Set for This Weekend at Pomperaug Woods

The Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show at Pomperaug Woods, Southbury's only not-for-profit retirement community, invites the public to view the work of talented Connecticut artists -- all of whom are 70+ years of age -- at the 8th annual Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show, this weekend, September 26 & 27. Themed "The Art of Experience," the show will feature art work created after the artists' 70th birthday.

The art offers a window to the seniors' life experiences. "When we learn the stories behind the work, the work itself changes. A sense of balance and understanding shines through. And always, a wonderful feeling of admiration," says Lisa Huebenthal, Program Director for Pomperaug Woods.

IF YOU GO:

What: 8th Annual Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show, "The Art of Experience," at Pomperaug Woods

Where: Pomperaug Woods Retirement Community, 80 Heritage Road, Southbury

When: Show Open Free to Public - Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 11 am to 4 pm; Private Awards Reception for News Media, Artists & Guests on Friday, September 25

More: Much of the artwork is available for purchase. For more event information, click here or call (203) 262-6555, ext. 144.

The Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show, produced by and hosted at Pomperaug Woods, is designed to highlight the talent, wisdom and vitality of seniors age 70+, with the eldest entrant this year being 99. This is the first and only art show of its type in Connecticut. The show continues to grow in awareness and popularity. This year, the community accepted submissions from 162 artists - with 58 being new artists - from 64 towns across Connecticut. Categories in this year's show are Painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Photography.

There are 22 winners overall - five per category, as well as one "Residents' Choice Award," and one "Best in Show":

Best in Show: Winner of the Tommie Davis Award:

Jeffrey A. Sells, age 72, of Woodbridge, CT - Silver Sands (Acrylic)

Winners in Painting Category:

1st Place - Lorraine Ryan, age 83, of New Milford, CT - Pirates Cove Boat Basin (Watercolor)

2nd Place - Germaine Lemieux, age 79, of Winstead, CT - The Guitar Man (Oil)

3rd Place - Janet T. Lee, age 70+, of Essex, CT - The Forest for the Trees (Acrylic)

4th Place - Thelma Hayward, age 87, of Essex, CT - Tree Motif #1 (Oil)

Honorable Mention - Audrey A. Namowitz, age 98, of Southbury, CT - Abstract #3 (Acrylic)

Winners in Drawing Category:

1st Place - Joanne McCarty, age 79, of Clinton, CT - Pear Shaped (Pastel)

2nd Place - Audrey A. Namowitz, age 98, of Southbury, CT - Etching No. 6 (Line Etching Hand Colored)

3rd Place - Patricia Ann Trapp, age 77, of Glastonbury, CT - Storm Coming (Soft Pastel on Sanded Paper)

4th Place - Frietha Lawrence, age 77, of Ashford, CT - Tangled F (Pen and Ink)

Honorable Mention - Sharon C. Malanczuk, age 72, Stafford Springs, CT - Friendly Neighborhood Turtle (Colored Pencil)

Winners in Sculpture Category:

1st Place - Bob Murray, age 76, of Watertown, CT - Love Spoon (Handcarved Wood - Alder)

2nd Place - Marjorie K. Miner, age 99, Hamden, CT - Two Men Watching a Baseball Game (Clay)

3rd Place - Louise W. King, age 78, of Washington, CT - Buttermilk (Stoneware Clay Glaze)

4th Place - Terry Russo, age 73, of North Haven, CT - King (Clay)

Honorable Mention - Vivian Newill, age 86, of Cheshire, CT - Raccoons (Rocks, Paint, Glue, Natural Materials)

Winners in Photography Category:

1st Place - Ray Gawlak, age 75, Meriden, CT - Beggars in Arles, France

2nd Place - Peter Coffeen, age 78, Norfolk, CT - Still Life, "Eggs," from Series: Object Lessons

3rd Place - Betty Saco, age 87, of Oxford, CT - Curiosity in the Cow Barn

4th Place - Deborah Taylor Sweeney, age 73, of Southbury, CT - Bel Air Reflections: 1957 Chevy Bel Air

Honorable Mention - Robert Rembish, age 73, of Plantsville, CT - Piercing the Clouds

Residents' Choice Award:

New this year to the CT Juried Senior Art Show is a Residents' Choice Award. Pomperaug Woods residents will be given the opportunity to select one piece in the exhibit on Friday morning, September 25, between 9 a.m. and Noon. The winning artist will be announced Friday evening at the Awards Ceremony.

First-place winners in each of the four categories will receive cash prizes. A $250 prize and crystal trophy in the shape of an artist's palette will be awarded to the "Best in Show Tommie Davis Award." The Best in Show Tommie Davis Award is presented to a Connecticut artist who demonstrates feelings of beauty and life in their artwork. Tommie Davis was a multitalented artist who not only was an award-winning photographer, but a gifted painter and sculptress. Tommie was a resident at Pomperaug Woods for many years and was heavily involved in the Annual Connecticut Senior Juried Art Show. Pomperaug Woods, as the host of this annual juried show, is able to present the award in Tommie's memory because of her generous donation earmarked as an endowment for the arts.

"Our art show celebrates the energy and life experience of seniors," says Huebenthal. "These talented members of our community bring decades of experience to their artwork, which makes this a must-see event."

Judges for this year's CT Senior Juried Art Show include:

- Zufar Bikbov, a painter and naturalist who graduated from art and medical school with honors and uses his training to capture the treasure and beauty of life in his work;

- David Merrill, an award-winning painter whose nostalgic work has been commissioned throughout New England;

- John Rohlfing, an award-winning ceramics artist whose work is represented in collections around the world, including the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery.

Judge's biographies are included on the Pomperaug Woods website: pomperaugwoods.com/connecticut-senior-juried-art-show.

Mini canvases and easels, notecards and magnets bearing the winning artists' works will be sold at the event. Proceeds will help fund the continuance of this one-of-a-kind event.

Pomperaug Woods has always made culture and art a priority through its renowned concerts and art exhibits, which is in line with its senior residents' active and purposeful lifestyles.

Winning artwork will also be featured at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, which is known for its exhibits and collections that interpret the history of the region and the art of Connecticut. Details are as follows:

· October 4 - Opening reception for award-winners at Mattatuck Museum 2 pm - 4 pm; Free to the public (144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702; www.MattatuckMuseum.org)

· October 4 to November 8 - Winning artwork exhibited at Mattatuck Museum

About Pomperaug Woods: Pomperaug Woods is the first and only not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in the Southbury area with consistent ownership and management. Located on 22 acres in Southbury, Pomperaug Woods offers people 62+ a financially secure living option. The community offers various apartment home options. Residents enjoy a warm neighborhood atmosphere, convenient amenities, family-friendly staff and the peace of mind that comes from living in a financially secure community. (www.PomperaugWoods.com)

About Life Care Services LLC, management company for Pomperaug Woods: Life Care Services, An LCS Company, established in 1971 and based in Des Moines, Iowa, is the nation's leading manager of full-service senior living communities. Life Care Services currently provides operations, marketing and sales management services for not-for-profit and for-profit continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) serving nearly 29,000 residents in 31 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.LCSnet.com and www.lifecareserviceslcs.com