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October 31 , 2001
Art show provides venue for artists to shine
Over 200 attend exhibit by Holy Family Plaza residents
By Roxanne King
Sue has painted about four years, Grace all her life. Bill is an award-winning photographer. The three recently showed their work at a northwest Denver art show. More than 200 came to admire it.
Sue Box is 85, Grace Johnson, 81, and Bill Grout, 75. They're artists whose work makes you stop in your tracks and admire — and wish you were as talented.
Other than the excited "look at this" from visitors and boisterous "oohs and ahhs" from school children their work wasn't juried. But the artists displaying pieces at the Holy Family Plaza Art Exhibit Oct. 9 couldn't have been more pleased. They got to show their work, see the fruits of fellow artists and share technique and ideas. What could be more satisfying?
"It keeps me out of mischief," Johnson said about her colorful abstract and floral watercolors. "It's a relaxing way to spend your time and an excellent outlet for creativity."
Box said her new hobby gives her "something to do" and she's certain it "improves" her mind.
Grout, who serves as resident photographer for the plaza, is constantly surprised anyone thinks his photos are anything special. An award-winning photo of an old coalshed in Arvada that many rave over, he admits with a shrug and a smile, "I didn't think was that good."
The show featuring works of a dozen artists, nearly all plaza residents, was organized by Johnson, a retired water color instructor, and Holy Family Plaza Administrator Sister Renee Washut, S.C.L., to display the seniors' varied talents.
Johnson, whose paintings have won competitions and are sold under the name Grace Dyce, taught many of the residents how to paint. But she protests that she hasn't.
"I don't really teach," she said. "But we paint once a week together. It's a fun class. Everyone can join us."
Lucie Rainquet, 77, whose oil paintings take one into the Hispanic southwest or oceanside, said she painted in high school but gave it up when she "went into the baby business."
The 13-year plaza resident said she took it up again after moving to the seniors' home — retirement gave her the gift of time to pursue the activity she loves.
"If someone likes it, I give it to them," she said about her works depicting everything from adobe buildings set off by brilliant flowers to a lively impression- nistic painting of her granddaughter in pinafore walking down the street. Rainquet paints images from photos or postcards sent to her by others. A favorite was modeled after Grout's prize-winning coalshed photo.
But paintings and photos weren't all the residents displayed. Other arts included needlework, jewelry and ceramics.
Virginia Drollinger, 79; Margaret Chopyack, 84; and Mary Duran, 70, displayed cross-stitched, embroidered and crocheted works. At first glance, many visitors thought a vivid needleworked still-life vase of flowers by Beverly Clark, 75, was a painting.
Like many of the others, artisan Chopyack's works usually end up in the homes of relatives or friends as gifts.
Mable Herrera, 75, has been involved with painting ceramics as a hobby and as a volunteer teacher for three decades. She also makes Indian-style jew-elry, which she has sold for eight years. In addition to earning extra money, Herr-era's hobbies provide social interaction. "(Art) main-tains creativity in their lives and positive en-ergies," said Sister Washut. "It's a way to continue to be connected with the larger society."
Visitors to the one-day art exhibit included the art classes of Holy Family Grade School. Students were especially impressed with the quilts of blind resident Rita Adams, 82, who stitches together colorful squares cut out by family members.
One boy was fascinated with Johnson's work. After watching her and others paint greeting cards a while, he bent close and confided, "I paint too."
When Johnson asked what he liked to paint, he replied, "Well, mostly clowns."
An artist specializing in water colors and pastels, Helen Onstatt, 79, echoed the sentiments of many when she said her artwork is "relaxing, fun and fulfilling."
"It also keeps you young," she added.
The artistic challenge and final product give one a sense of accomplishment, the artists said.
"I think it shows that seniors can do something besides sit in a rocking chair," Box said. "I like to learn something new."
Recalling the advice of a nun who taught her in grade school, Rainquet said, "Sister always told us idle hands are the devil's workshop."
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