Nursing Home Artist Presents Drawing To Onorato
Photo Luis Rocha
Artist James Keane Sr. (seated), is presented with a state proclamation by state Senator George Onorato. Holding Keane's drawing, which will hang in Onorato's district office is Edwin Graham of the Foundation for Quality Care (l.) as Anthony Clemenza, owner of Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility (far r.) looks on.

James Keane, Sr., a 79-year-old artist who lives at Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility, 61-11 Queens Blvd., Woodside, presented a drawing, featured in a 2006 calendar as a winner of the "Art from the Heart" program, to state Senator George Onorato as part of a National Nursing Home Week celebration on May 18. Onorato said he planned to display the loaned artwork in his district office to showcase the talents of people living in nursing homes.

The New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and the Foundation for Quality Care, Inc. launched the first ever "Art from the Heart" program to shine a spotlight on the vitality and artistic creativity of individuals who reside in nursing homes throughout New York state. More than 100 pieces of artwork were submitted from nursing homes across the state and a panel of independent jurists selected 13 pieces, including Keane's, to be featured in the "Art from the Heart" 2006 calendar.

"I would like to thank the New York State Health Facilities Association and the Foundation for Quality Care, Inc. for creating 'Art from the Heart' and giving all of us the opportunity to recognize the vitality and creativity of people like James who are living in nursing homes throughout our state," Onorato said. "And, of course, I would like to thank the Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility for providing its residents with the chance to participate in unique programs like this. I am proud and grateful that James is permitting me to borrow his drawing for display in my district office here in Queens. His drawing was one of 13 pieces of artwork chosen for the 2006 'Art from the Heart' calendar, and I am happy to provide the public with yet another opportunity to see it. His drawing symbolizes not only his own talent, but the creativity of so many other nursing home residents throughout New York."