Champagne corks popped while a harpist played soft background music as the artwork of 22 residents at Uniting AgeWell Preston Community was showcased at a very special exhibition at the site recently.

The artwork was up for sale with the proceeds to be divided between the Alzheimer’s Australia (Vic) Association and the Fred Hollows Foundation where it will be directed to First Nations people needing eye care.

“Many older people join our aged care communities after a lifetime of working and raising families with never enough time on their hands to pursue activities like art,” explains Uniting AgeWell Director of Lifestyle Sharon Levey.

“Here there are art classes, art equipment and time to try their hand at artwork in whatever medium they prefer. Some of them find out to their delight that they have hidden artistic talent – and are very good at art. How awesome to find a hobby you love in your later years! Others simply love to relax and create. Either way it brings them great joy.”

Artistic practice is not only joyous, but encourages hand-eye coordination and flexibility in the fingers. Elements crucial to living well at any age.

Visitors including family members, a few members of the Board of Uniting AgeWell, CEO Andrew Kinnersly and members of the executive team, snapped up the artwork which sold out in record time. This is the second art exhibition to be held at the Bruce Street site – the inaugural one was last year.

It was certainly an event to remember. There was a medley of cold and hot canapes with an assortment of sweet and savoury delicacies whipped up by the chef and his team.

Those making speeches included well-known Australian artist Kate Symons who teaches art classes at Preston. In a testament to her teaching and to the residents’ talents, many said they had never painted before joining Preston Community. Now they’re selling their work!

Take Rod Williams for example. “I last really painted anything when I was in high school,” he explains. “I did a six-week painting course ten years ago and started painting when I moved in here. I absolutely love it!”

Then there’s Italian-raised Donata Chirichiello who loves painting birds in bright, vibrant colours. She never painted before moving into Preston Community either. “These colours that I choose make me feel very happy,” she says.

Elaine Fraser was delighted that her daughter, Liana Fraser and granddaughter Maisie Pearson (nine) attended the exhibition – with Liana even buying one of the works of art. Elaine says she has enjoyed painting her whole life and absolutely loves the art classes. Liana is delighted the classes are making her mother so happy. “I’m very proud of Nana’s artwork,” agrees Maisie.

Another artist exhibiting her work was Evelyn Pavlis who admitted she was very proud of what she had achieved, especially considering she had no prior experience with doing art. “It feels fantastic to see people buying art that I have created,” she says. “My husband has a whole wall of my paintings here at home.” This is her second art exhibition. “I painted a bird for the first art exhibition here at Preston Community and it was sold out before my family arrived,” she laughs.

Annie Berne, Residential Services Manager at Preston Community is delighted at how invested the residents are in the art classes. “The exhibition is a wonderful way to not only showcase their art but to include their families, friends and the wider community in a celebration of creativity, passion and purpose.”

Preston Community Lifestyle Coordinator Awhina Te Amo says the residents love the art classes and take great pride and enjoyment in their achievements. “Many of them paint landscapes and they use bus trip outings as inspiration,” says Awhina. “The other day I took a group out to Port Melbourne for lunch, and they were marvelling at the beauty of the seascape.”

Awhina Te Amo, Preston Community’s Lifestyle Coordinator says they also draw inspiration from going for walks and seeing the beauty of the local area. Experiencing it with the vision of a budding artist has changed the residents’ perception. You could say they have the chance to see the world with new colour.

Find out more about joining our residential sites across both Victoria and Tasmania.