The 2008 Calvert County Senior Arts Competition gave participants a chance to display what for many are recently acquired talents.
“I just started oil painting two years ago,” said Sandy Smith of Lusby, who participates in art classes at Southern Pines Senior Center. “It’s not easy but it’s fun. I love painting [pictures of] old barns.”
Smith’s entry of an oil painting of a slightly dilapidated barn located on a friend’s property in southern Anne Arundel County won her second place in the “Works on Canvas” category in this year’s competition.
The participants were feted May 20 at Calvert Pines Senior Center (CPSC), savoring an enormous buffet lunch, as well as receiving gifts and congratulations for their efforts.
Participants shook hands and frequently exchanged hugs with the Calvert County Commissioners and Maryland Secretary of Aging Gloria Lawlah.
The nearly 70 participants, some of whom submitted more than one entry, vied in 10 categories: jewelry-making, photography, glass, metal, ceramics, works on canvas, works on paper, woodwork, needlework and clay.
“We may add more categories next year,” said Keri Lipperini, Aging Services program manager.
In order to qualify, contestants had to be 55 or older and a Calvert resident. Contestants could only submit one work of art per category.
Lipperini explained that Calvert’s three senior councils, one at each center, provided the money to purchase the prizes and gifts for the contestants.
The submitted artwork has been on display at CPSC throughout the month of May.
“They told me this was going to be a big ceremony,” said Lawlah, who had visited North Beach Senior Center prior to her arrival at CPSC. “I’m very pleased. Calvert County’s Office on Aging is a wonderful department. This is a wonderful art show.”
The team of six judges determined the artwork worthy of the grand prize was submitted by Dianne Dickey, whose painting of a catfish took her about nine months to complete.
“I just like fish,” said Dickey. “You’re told to paint what you know.”
For the first time ever, the Calvert County Arts Council did a separate judging of the contest. The council also deemed Dickey’s catfish rendering to be the best work.
When presented with the council’s check for $500, Dickey, who was truly stunned by the judges’ decision, joked, “Yay, I can buy gas now.”
E-mail Marty Madden at editorial@calvertindependent.com.
The Calvert Independent
