Page 46 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 47 Spring 2024
P. 46
DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS
WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER
FINE ARTS,
FLOWERS
& Show
VERSE
by Rajan Doering
ver the years, the Wallingford Senior Center Friday, June 7th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM or Saturday,
Ohosted many art shows featuring both the work June 8th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. if you have a
of our talented artist-members and also, annual- heart for art, an appreciation of beautifully arranged
ly the artwork of the students of Wallingford Public flowers and enjoy clever verse tastefully displayed,
Schools. We also hosted several Wallingford Garden you will not be disappointed!
Club Shows in our Great Room. Late in 2018, former
Program Director, Debby Voelker and Wallingford
Garden Club President Karin Pyskaty began to plan a
“Fine Arts, Flowers & Verse Show”. Their plan was to
display paintings from senior center artists, along with
complimentary floral displays created by garden club
members. In addition, Wallingford Library Director
Jane Fisher agreed to help find members who would
provide related poetry or verse for each display. This
inaugural show took place on a Friday and Saturday in
late April, 2019. With the untimely passing of senior
center and garden club member Marilyn Ollayos, who
left generous bequests to both organizations, it was
decided to dedicate the show in her memory.
With a lovely artist’s reception on opening night, fea-
turing live piano music, dessert items and refresh-
ments, visitors were treated to 25 linen covered tables
with displays, featuring paintings, floral arrangements
and framed verse. The show was a huge success and
plans were made to make it an annual event. Attend-
ees were enthralled by the beautiful combinations and
came away with a new appreciation for the talented
groups who call Wallingford home and share their cre-
ations and interests with others. After the pandemic
subsided in 2022, current Program Director, Karen An- 203-265-7753
derson revived this wonderful event, now held yearly
in early June. I highly recommend taking the time on WLFDSENIORCTR.COM
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