October 20, 2005: Headlines: COS - Antigua: Older Volunteers: Art: Palm Beach Post: Antigua RPCV Jo Gray has been painting since she was a child and sees no reason to stop just because she's 91
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October 20, 2005: Headlines: COS - Antigua: Older Volunteers: Art: Palm Beach Post: Antigua RPCV Jo Gray has been painting since she was a child and sees no reason to stop just because she's 91
Antigua RPCV Jo Gray has been painting since she was a child and sees no reason to stop just because she's 91
"I was 70 at the time and I didn't want to settle down and do nothing so I joined the Peace Corps and went to Antigua to teach residents how to make something they could sell to tourists. I developed 20 different things for them to work on. I taught one fellow how to photograph, one lady wanted to make a variation of voodoo dolls, and three girls worked on a huge mural," she said. "I had signed on for two years, but ended up staying four."
Antigua RPCV Jo Gray has been painting since she was a child and sees no reason to stop just because she's 91
ARTIST'S BRIGHT OUTLOOK INSPIRES OTHERS TO DISPLAY CREATIVE WORKS
Oct 20, 2005 - Palm Beach Post
Jo Gray has been painting since she was a child and sees no reason to stop just because she's 91.
On Saturday, Gray and fellow artists and craftsmen at the St. Andrews and St. James residences in downtown West Palm Beach will showcase their work during and art at hobby show.
"At our age we can do things and have a good life," said Gray, who taught art for years at a community college. Occasionally, she runs into former students on the street.
"That's always pleasurable," she said. "I'm proud of them."
Gray is also proud of her little group of artists and craftsmen at St. Andrews and St. James.
"Some never painted before in their lives," she said. "It's a wonderful group and it's all very congenial."
If the show goes as it has in past years, there'll be music afterward so people can sing and dance, she said.
Born in Kansas, Gray lived in New England and then New York before moving to Florida in 1964 to teach art at Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach Community College). She has a master's degree in art from Columbia University.
When she left teaching college, Gray followed in the footsteps of some of her students.
"I was 70 at the time and I didn't want to settle down and do nothing so I joined the Peace Corps and went to Antigua to teach residents how to make something they could sell to tourists. I developed 20 different things for them to work on. I taught one fellow how to photograph, one lady wanted to make a variation of voodoo dolls, and three girls worked on a huge mural," she said. "I had signed on for two years, but ended up staying four."
When she returned to Florida, she worked as a bereavement coordinator for Hospice by the Sea for five years and didn't have much opportunity to do her artwork.
"I came here (St. Andrews) in 1999 to get back into painting," Gray said. Soon, she began teaching fellow residents.
"Age is limitless as long as you can take care of yourself," she said. "My apartment has a great view of the Intracoastal and the park behind the amphitheater. I have a table under the north window and dropcloths on the floor and I keep it going all the time."
Often she paints portraits of the pets of other residents.
"They don't sit still, but I catch a look at them and can convert them to painting," she said.
Gray isn't sitting still much herself, although she admits she does wear out and recently bought a wheelchair to help her get around.
"I feel very sporty in it," she laughed.
One of her current volunteer projects is helping children paint an angelic mural at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in downtown West Palm Beach. The design came from a Christmas card she made years ago when she had a silk screen company.
"When the minister saw the design he said that's what he wanted," she said. It's a portrait of five angels in a circle and the wing tips meet to form a star.
But for this week, Gray is promoting the stars in her neighborhood - the senior citizens who have made portraits, Christmas tree ornaments, photographs, paintings or sculptures to be showcased on Saturday.
"Some people will sell, but not me. I have a large family and they like to have the things I make."
mary_thurwachter@pbpost.com
Downtown art and hobby show
Where: The St.
Andrews Residence, 208 Fern St., West Palm Beach.
When: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Exhibitors: Alex Busch, Peter Cooper, Tina Garcia, Jo Gray, Howard Heath, Jane Hutchinson, Otty Kleykamp, Doris Livingston, Mary MacKennon, Jan Orlando, William Parratto and Jack Vandermolen.
Special presentation: The Creative Saints will present Mayor Lois Frankel an award for her efforts on behalf of senior citizens.
Admission: Free
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Story Source: Palm Beach Post
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Antigua; Older Volunteers; Art
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By RPCV (h2-66-137-250.mesh.net - 66.137.250.2) on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 1:49 pm: Edit Post |
Does Jo Gray have photos of her art and
recent self?
