Young-at-heart art
By Amy Lavalley Post-Tribune correspondent February 6, 2012 4:32PM
Artists Lenore Senovic of Porter County (left) and Natalie Keller of Portage enjoy looking at the work of fellow artists during the Senior Art Exhibitors event at the Portage Public Library in Portage, Ind. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
If you go
The artwork from the 12th annual Senior Art Exhibitors is on view through Feb. 29 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. For more information on programs in the Porter County Public Library System, go to www.pcpls.lib.in.us/.
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Updated: March 8, 2012 8:07AM
Manny Riba decided after he retired from U.S. Steel in Gary that he wanted to take up artwork.
Now 100 and living at Miller’s Merry Manor in Portage, Riba has had his artwork displayed at an annual art exhibit at the Portage Branch of the Porter County Public Library for the past several years.
The former president and honorary member of the Hobart Arts League has an oil painting and a work in pressed copper on display at the current exhibit. A reception for the artists was held Feb. 4 at the library.
“I’d like to meet anybody who’s older than me,” Riba said.
Sixty artists age 55 and older from Lake and Porter counties have 146 pieces of artwork on display at the library, 2665 Irving St., through the end of the month.
“It’s one of our senior cultural events for the city,” said City Councilwoman Sue Lynch, D-at-large, chair of the city’s Senior Advisory Committee.
This is the 12th year for the exhibit.
“I think it’s great for people to see a different side of seniors, people they think they know,” said Anne Wood, the library’s branch manager.
The artwork spans the full range of media, including photography, oil and watercolors, sculpture and woodwork.
A.J. Monroe, the city’s director of public works, told the artists and their families that City Hall is being renovated.
“I hope you would be interested in sharing some of your art with the community,” he said.
Joe Magura, 73, of Portage Township, is also retired from the mills. He has woodwork, including a jewelry box with a clock and ballpoint pens, on display in the art show, which he’s participated in for the past few years.
“It’s seeing old people like myself and the vitality they have,” he said.
Natalie Keller, meanwhile, got into photography when she took a class in it as yearbook advisor at River Forest High School. Now retired, Keller, 68, of Portage, said a picture of a butterfly she has on exhibit was something of a lucky shot.
“I enjoy going places where I see something that might be photo worthy and I enjoy seeking the work of others and what they can do,” she said of the art show.
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