THUNDER BAY – As an instructor and chair of the art committee at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, Biljana Baker often sees the eureka moment when people realize that they can draw or paint.
“It’s amazing how many people have that art bug in them, but they don’t realize it until after they retire and they have the time to be really productive with it,” Baker said.
“They don’t realize what talent they have until they put time in and go ‘Oh, I can do this now.”
The work that has been put in by students who have taken classes throughout the year is on display as the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre hosts its annual Spring into Art Show and Sale.
“We’ve been doing this for nearly three decades now and it’s something that everyone of all ages can see,” said Lisa Galon, the program and marketing coordinator for the older adult unit at the City of Thunder Bay.
“It’s not just for people that are 55 years of age and over.”
The 55 Plus Centre offers a variety of classes and courses during the year, including work in water colours, acrylics, mixed media, colour pencilling, a photography club and drop-in classes for drawing and sketching.
“I don’t want people to think that this show is just old people doing paint by numbers,” Baker said.
“We encourage the students to show what they’ve done, but it can sometimes be difficult for people to show off their work. Once they see it out on display though, they realize just how exquisite their paintings are.
“It’s something that they didn’t expect to be able to do and it’s great to have people get out of their comfort zone, so to speak.”
The art show and sale begins Friday (May 3) from 7-9 p.m. at the 55 Plus Centre.
The event continues on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The show is free to attend with a silver donation at the door.
