The Center’s Holiday Party + Art Show serves as an annual gathering place for community and an opportunity for West of 50 and Disability Program members to have their art put on display. Each year, the team selects one community member to showcase their art in a full gallery in The Center’s Stonewall Meeting Room. This year, 94-year-old Ken Felts was the featured artist.
After coming out as gay at age 90, Ken and his husband Johnny have become regular attendees of West of 50’s programming. During the program’s weekly open art studio space, Ken has honed his craft of collages created out of paper he makes himself.
“I’ve always known that Ken loves to cook. But who knew that Ken uses a chef’s blender, a cook’s ladle, and a baker’s oven to create some mighty fine art?” shared fellow West of 50 member, Kathleen Kelleher.
To create the unique organic paper for his art, Ken mixes ground herbs from his garden and other natural materials with water and lye. The result is a beautifully textured paper in colors ranging from earth tones to vibrant hues for each of his extraordinary collages.
Ken’s artwork was an immediate hit – as soon as the gallery was opened for viewing, staff and community members alike flocked to the room to purchase their favorite pieces. The clamor of excitement continued during the Holiday Party when over 100 community members filled The Center.
“My absolute favorite part of the evening was watching Ken get to showcase his art in a gallery for the first time in his life,” shared Bryant Mehay, Manager of Elder and Disability Services. “He had a long line of people coming up to him to compliment the art and purchase his work.”
“It was a strong reminder that amazing things can happen at any point in your life,” Bryant said with a smile.