Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility Artist Honored

James Keane, Sr., artist and resident of Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility, with daughter Susan and son Jim, receiving an award from Barbara Neocleous, Visiting Nursing Service of New York for his "Good Times at Rockaway Beach". Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility hosted a reception February 12 to honor James Keane Sr., a resident of the facility since June 2002. Keane was recognized for having "Good Times at Rockaway Beach", one of his artworks, selected to appear in the Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) of New York's 2008 Patient Art Calendar.

VNS staff held "Art Days" in community centers, hospitals and nursing facilities in all five boroughs and invited nursing home artists to submit an image or scene with a theme of city-related streetscapes or scenes through their own life perspectives. Each of the art pieces featured in the 2008 calendar represents a diversity-of-life perspective from patients who have embraced the therapeutic value of art.

Besides the knowledge that their work will appear in the 2008 Patient Art Calendar, each winner also received a participation certificate and a gift certificate as well as a framing of their individual work of art.

"Good Times at Rockaway Beach" by artist James Keane. Residents, Keane's family, staff and the administration of the 280-bed long- and shortterm rehab center and adult day care facility, located at 61-11 Queens Blvd., Woodside, together with VNS Account Manager Barbara Neocleous, enjoyed the festivities and the opportunity to recognize Keane's artistic talents.