Refined Vision

Princeton Senior Resource Center celebrates Older Americans Month with an art show.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   As part of the Princeton Senior Resource Center’s celebration of Older Americans Month, an exhibit and sale of works by older artists will be held at the Suzanne Patterson Building on Monument Drive in Princeton. "Choices for Independence" is the theme of the center’s celebrations this month, including the senior art show, which features a wide variety of accomplished works consisting of colorful acrylics, oils, watercolors and collages created by seniors who attend classes at the center.
   The exhibit comprises work by artists in the resource center’s two mixed media art classes, taught by Bob Iola and Hannah Fink, both of whom are practicing artists. Some of the students have been life-long professionals in the arts who want to maintain their skills, while others are discovering new talents while pursuing a path that they did not have time for prior to retirement.
   Ms. Fink, a Griggstown resident, says the classes are populated by enthusiastic students from Princeton and neighboring communities such as Montgomery and South Brunswick. "They are an amazing, independent group of people," she says. "They are youthful and active and take advantage of a lot of the cultural offerings, like (local) museums and events at McCarter (Theatre)."
   A former art instructor at The College of New Jersey, Ms. Fink says she and Mr. Iola also bring a bit of art history to the students and encourage them to seek out important exhibitions in Manhattan and Philadelphia. She says viewing works by others, including classmates, helps to "refine one’s personal vision."
   Students also learn to develop new communications skills, Ms. Fink says. "I put on some classical music and they express non-verbal thoughts by putting them onto the canvas. Whatever you’re working on gets critiqued, but it’s always gentle, and encouraging — it’s flattering. It’s really nourishment for the soul."
Choices for Independence is on view at the Princeton Senior Resource Center, Monument Drive, Princeton, through May 31. Opening reception May 11, 4-6 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For information, call (609) 924-7108.