Covenant Living holds exhibition

Senior citizens and CHS students share interest in art

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Photos by Mark Jahne

Art students at Cromwell High School took a short bus ride to Covenant Living of Cromwell to meet with an older generation that shares the same interest in visual art. It just might be the start of a longer-running collaboration.

Cromwell High School art teacher Staci Obasi, left, talks with artist Ann Grasso.

Ann Grasso, who resides on the Covenant Living campus, was one of the founders of the Cromwell Arts Alliance in 2014. Its mission includes promoting the arts for people of all ages in this town.

She recently unveiled an exhibit of her works in the senior residential facility’s events center called “Art ALIVE.” She wanted to invite the teenagers to come and not only meet the senior citizens, but to share art they have created in their Advanced Placement classes under the guidance of teacher Staci Obasi.

This was the first time the AP art students have been invited to an ArtReach reception and they are already invited back next year to present their work as a single, stand-alone event. ArtReach is a resident-run committee on the Covenant Living campus dedicated to providing art education and exhibits for resident to enjoy.

Kyro Garrett, left, talks about her passion for art. Holding examples of her work are Raven Thiede, center, and Antonio Gonzalez.

This intergenerational connection happened the afternoon of March 20. The exhibition and reception featured Grasso describing her works that were displayed on the walls, live music by the Smooth Pebbles and Their Rough Roadie – consisting of musicians who reside at the complex – plus soft drinks, popcorn and cookies prepared by the culinary staff.

The CHS students brought examples of their art and some talked about their creations and what art means to them. Covenant Living residents Jennifer Glick and Billie Lanz read poetry.

Grasso saw this as an opportunity to discuss how people have choice in what they do with their time and using play as a stepping stone to imagination. Art also allows people to ask the eternal question – “what if?”

“Skills come after play and take time to master,” she said.

Grasso works in a variety of media and perhaps her most unusual one is repurposing old tea bags into artistic expression.

“Art ALIVE” was presented under the umbrella of the senior living facility’s ArtReach program and its former chairperson, Dee Doxey. It was agreed that everyone had a delightful time.

“We’re so happy to have the students here today,” Doxey said. “Art groups are very supportive. Paint is only wasted when it remains in the tube.”

“ArtReach reached out to the school. Covenant used to do a lot of intergenerational programs,” Grasso added.

These are examples of Ann Grasso’s work.

Obasi said the 13-student CHS contingent was “mostly A.P. but we did invite a few other seniors.” All the young artists present were juniors or seniors. The Covenant Living of Cromwell retirement community on West Street is home to the largest art gallery in town.

Formed in 2019, ArtReach held its first gallery showing called “Visions” in December 2019 but had to cease operations a few months later because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened on a limited basis for residents and their families in 2021.

More examples of Ann Grasso’s artwork.

The exhibitions in the community’s events center change every six months. Art is also located in various other places around the Covenant Living campus.

Grasso said residents first suggested the idea of an art exhibition space to then-new Executive Director Dan Stegbauer in the fall of 2019. He provided new paint for the panels in the former dining room as well as a museum-quality hanging system.

The building of the new town center part of the complex was underway during the time the hanging system was moved to the event center and exhibiting art resumed in January 2022. Exhibits have ranged from personal collections to specific themes such watercolor, wood block printing and even music.

The Smooth Pebbles and Their Rough Roadie provided live music as part of the festivities.

The resident committee has grown to 24 members and monthly activities include a newsletter, changing art in five locations around campus, a monthly art movie, occasional lectures and classes and a display case. While this group includes art “makers,” it is primarily for art enthusiasts.

Plans for the future include opening the gallery to the general public one Saturday a month.

The next exhibition opening April 24 is “Threads” featuring 50 pieces of work offered by Covenant Living residents either of their own making or part of their collections. It will be on display until early October. CL