Reaching out to the Senior Community

By Cristal Perriello

Laura Cenedella, owner of the Rainbow Palette in Uxbridge, had long had a dream to open up a business where she could mix art, music, writers, poets, performers and the public all together.

Now her dream is becoming a reality. Laura has opened her business in two locations: The Café and The Studio. In the Café, Laura offers coffee, soft drinks, specialty teas, pastry and snacks while patrons listen to live music and are surrounded by artwork from local artists. She will soon be offering a monthly afternoon Tea & Art party to encourage seniors to socialize with other seniors and meet the artists, writers, and musicians.

One of those musicians is 56-year old Jodi Ritter, who lives in Uxbridge but grew up in the wild prairies of North Dakota. “I am a transplant from the Midwest and didn’t really know too many people. It is so nice to have a place to go that is full of art and music.”

A vocalist who also plays the guitar, standup bass, and the penny whistle, Jodi has been singing and playing instruments almost her whole life. She is currently working with Laura and will soon be offering song-writing classes through the Rainbow Palette. Jodi plays at the venue at least once a month and is always at open mic night.

In The Studio, Laura offers classes in the fine arts including oils, acrylics, watercolors and drawing, craft classes, and an artist visitor class that offers a different medium, different techniques or perspectives. “I teach classes to beginners, children, and I have a daytime art class offered to seniors and adults with disabilities,” says Laura. “I offer scholarships to subsidize art classes or people can volunteer in exchange for classes or programs.”

Laura and some of the other artists visit 55+ communities, senior centers and nursing facilities to offer arts and craft classes and one day workshops in art or music; they are trying to secure funding for a history through art and music class and a song-writing class. Laura also facilitates events that meet the interests of seniors.

“Our artistic self has been challenged and formed for most of our lives and we suppress it more as we age,” explains Laura. “Seniors have the time and energy to return to their creative side.”

When you step into the Rainbow Palette, you will see many works of art for sale. Some of that art was created by 59-year old Kristy Morrill from Mendon, MA. Kristy uses watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink and crafts Native American pine needle baskets, carved gourds, and jewelry.

Kristy loves Laura’s enthusiasm and loves to paint Worcester diners. “I have painted several so far, and recently sold one of Miss Worcester.”

Laura says art is a wonderful experience for people of all ages. “The seniors just have more time to enjoy it!”

For more information or a list of events, visit http://therainbowpalette.com/default.aspx.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm and is filed under Art, Entertainment, Vol. 6. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.