Seniors enjoy opportunity to create, show art

What do the Louvre in Paris, the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Bangor Public Library have in common? They are all places where you can see breathtaking works of art.

Students of the Hammond Street Senior Center art classes will have their masterpieces displayed at the library’s Lecture Hall Gallery through the month of August.

“I love being here [at the center],” said Ellen Beattie, 69, art teacher at the senior center. “It’s every bit as comfortable as being at home. And I love working with my own age group.”

Beattie earned her degree in art education from the University of Maine approximately 20 years ago. After a stint in Florida where she taught adult ed art classes, she returned to Maine.

Looking for a way to meet people and needing a job, Beattie applied for a receptionist position at the senior center. As luck would have it, the art instructor was resigning so Beattie found herself, once again, doing what she loves: teaching art.

“For me personally, this is the most ideal situation,” she said. Judging by the artwork produced by her students, it is an ideal situation for all involved.

Lighthouses, landscapes, seascapes, birds and flowers are usually the subjects of choice for most of Beattie’s students. There is a “traditional Maine” feeling emanating from the works. While the artists are modest about their talent, some actually have sold their creations.

Beattie teaches seven different art classes, focusing on everything from watercolors, oils and colored pencils to space, shading and placement.

All skill levels are welcomed.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve heard ‘I can’t even draw a straight line,'” Beattie said with a shake of her head. “I tell them, ‘There are no straight lines in nature and you won’t know unless you try. Come in and let me help you.'”

Gloria Sands, 68, who has been taking art classes at the senior center for three years and has several pieces in the library show, smiles at the thought.

“Ellen gives you confidence,” said Sands, who always had a sketchbook handy when younger, but never picked up a paintbrush. “I love the atmosphere [of the class] and everybody is wonderful. I was amazed what I could learn. Now I love to paint. I can’t get enough of it. You just feel so relaxed, you forget everything but painting.”

Mary Lou Simpson, 71, agrees.

“I love this class,” she said. “It is relaxing and I get a feeling of accomplishment.” The sentiment wavers a bit as she talks about her paintings hanging at the library show.

“I’ll probably feel they are not too good because everybody else is so good,” she said, immediately being hushed by other students.

“I love this class. I need it because I’m not a self-motivator,” said Karlyn Dawes, 68, who is working on a window and flower scene for the exhibit. “And I don’t like to make a mess at home. It’s OK here,” she said with a laugh.

There will be approximately 100 works of art at the Bangor Public Library, all submitted by members of the senior center.

“We are very happy that the public will have the opportunity to see what these talented seniors can create,” said Beattie. “It is just stupendous.”

One of the major obstacles these artists face is a lack of frames to hold their works, she said.

“I pick up frames at flea markets and garage sales when I can,” said Beattie. She admits they are sometimes not easy to come by.

If you have any frames, regardless of condition, that you would like to donate to these hardworking artists, or if you want more information on the Hammond Street Senior Center or the art show, call 262-5532.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.