It’s never too late to pick up a paintbrush.
A new art exhibit called Inspirations of a Lifetime will be holding an opening reception on Feb. 8 at Stonebridge Art Gallery in Wasaga Beach, which features 16 by 20 paintings completed by retirement home residents across Simcoe County.
“It started because I do art therapy in 10 different retirement homes. I wanted to give them something to look forward to. It was in the middle of the pandemic that I came up with this idea,” said Lisa Harpell, curator of the Stonebridge Art Gallery and teacher of art therapy.
This is the second year the exhibit will run, following last year’s successful first run. Some paintings will be for sale, however, Harpell says if it's anything like last year, the families of the painters may stake their claim on the art early.
“I rounded up all their paintings and we co-ordinated 120 works of art last year. There was a lot of interest from the families,” she said.
Harpell said she was inspired by the art done by her students coming out of the pandemic.
“I thought it would be all crazy and dark, but they were producing beautiful, bright gorgeous paintings one right after the other,” she said.
The eight retirement lodges involved are Waterside Retirement Lodge in Wasaga Beach, Chartwell Whispering Pines in Barrie, Woods Park Care Centre in Barrie, Livita Barrington Retirement Residence in Barrie, Aspira Waterford Barrie Retirement Living in Barrie, Chartwell Allandale Station in Barrie, Leacock Retirement Lodge in Orillia and Bayfield House in Penetanguishene.
READ MORE: Inspired by a Lifetime exhibition showcases art by nonagenarians
Harpell said the residents are inspired by their own life experiences, friends, family or feelings.
“Quite often, I’ll ask them to think about a place or time in their life they want to capture. A lot of the clients were really bringing it home,” she said. “When you hear it from them and how it makes them feel, it’s incredible.”
“It enriches their lives,” said Harpell.
The opening reception for the Inspirations of a Lifetime exhibit at the Stonebridge Art Gallery in Wasaga Beach runs Feb. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
The exhibit runs until March 31.
For more information on the Stonebridge Art Gallery, click here.
