This article originally appeared in Queens Chronicle
Preparation for the art exhibit last week at the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Hills took a departure from run-of-the-mill arts and crafts activities.
“Elemental Art and More” was based on the four elements of nature — wind, water, fire and Earth — first examined in unison by the Greek philosopher Empedocles. The works were compiled from projects completed over the previous year
One of the artists, resident Jack Alkana, is a retired Manhattan public school principal. He said he did not teach art himself during his career, saying it would be a difficult task to begin with.
“You can’t learn art,” he said. “Art comes or it doesn’t come.”
Another resident, Joan, a Massachusetts native and a Boston Red Sox fan, probably would disagree, saying the staff always comes up with interesting activities.
“But last year’s [projects] were more challenging,” she said.
In the top row, artists painted the globe as printed on foil. With January commemorating the Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday, a display just across from the globes features a tribute to the civil rights icon, complete with a resident’s portrait. At top right, Director of Public Affairs Linda Spiegel, back row left, and a staff member join artists Rachel Grossman, left, Harriet Hartman and Evelyn Friedman.
Above left, portraits and self portraits adorned a display table. At center leaf paintings served as harbingers of spring, as did a kinetic tribute to campfires. At right, Ricardo Rosa Sola, director of the Recreation Department, left, Spiegel and members of the the Recreation Team.
— Michael Gannon
