Nursing Home Artist Loans Work To Onorato

Photo Vinny DuPre James Keane Sr. (seated) is flanked by (l. to r.): Joy Clemenza, Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility owner, Richard Patterson Jr., Foundation for Quality Care senior director of business development (with Keane, holding "Latin Lady"), state Senator George Onorato, Ken Gordon, and his wife, Helen Keane and daughter, Susan Keane.

James Keane Sr. presented his awardwinning drawing, "Latin Lady" to state Senator George Onorato at Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility on Monday, October 29. The drawing, featured in the 2007 "Art From the Heart" calendar sponsored by the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and the Foundation for Quality Care, Inc., was the second of his works that the 81- year-old Keane has loaned to Onorato as part of the "Legislator Artwork on Loan Program" for display in the senator's offices. In May 2006, a Keane drawing of a smiling young lady featured in a 2006 calendar as a winner of the "Art from the Heart" program, was loaned to Onorato and displayed in the senator's district office as part of a National Nursing Home Week celebration.

"Latin Lady", Keane's sketch, judged "Best In Show" and the April illustration for the 2007 calendar, is a pensive young woman with shoulder length dark hair in a feathered cut and unreadable dark eyes. Her mouth is set in an enigmatic line that has just a faint hint of what might be a smile at the corners. She wears spiral seashell earrings almost lost in the line of her hair.

The third annual "Art from the Heart" program is the result of an art contest launched in 2004 by NYSHFA and the Foundation for Quality Care, Inc., Residents of more than 250 NYSHFAmember long-term care facilities around the state were invited to submit artwork. Each NYSHFA member nursing home was encouraged to hold its own art contest and was invited to submit up to two pieces of original artwork by their residents. Nearly 70 pieces were submitted from across New York state by artists ranging in age from 56 to 101. Four judges included representatives from the Albany Institute of History and Art, the New York State Museum, the State University of New York at Albany Art Museum and Viewpoint Gallery at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.

Some 13 pieces have been selected for the 2008 wall calendar; another nine will be displayed during the public exhibition. The calendar will be distributed later this fall to state lawmakers, government officials, NYSHFA member facilities and the artists. Calendars can be purchased for $12 by contacting NYSHFA at 519-462-4800, ext. 23 or visiting www.nyshfa.org. Proceeds from the calendar will help improve the quality of life for long-term care residents at facilities across New York.