The Colley Senior Complex will host Open House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

“Tuesday will be a special day for those who participate in our art classes,” said Catherine Jordan, Complex director. “At Open House, we will showcase the excellent artwork that our seniors are doing in pottery, painting, stained glass, quilting, crocheting and smocking. And, it will also be an opportunity for people to see what a great place the Colley Senior Complex is for senior adults to come and keep their minds active and their bodies in motion.”

Jordan said Open House will be the only opportunity the public will have to view the artwork all together.

“Because there is such a wide variety and a rather large volume of artwork, the show will be up only for Open House,” Jordan said. “And, it’s a very impressive art show. It’s amazing that we have so many talented seniors in our community. We want to showcase them as well as their artwork. They are excited about the opportunity to have their artwork on display.”

Jordan said many of the seniors who participate in the art classes at the Colley Senior Complex had never picked up a paintbrush before or molded clay or threaded a needle.

“Some of them had dabbled in art when they were in school but not to the extent that they actually created a piece they could sign and take pride in having done,” Jordan said. “Their artwork makes thoughtful and much appreciated gifts for family and friends. I’ve heard several say they want to have something they have created to give to their family members, especially their grandchildren.”

Some of the artwork on display at Open House will be for sale. Some of it is too personal to have a price tag on it. “We hope the Open House art show will be incentive for other seniors to join the art classes,” Jordan said. “We have a wonderful art instructor in Mary Page. She makes her students feel very comfortable picking up a paintbrush for the first time.

“Art has a big definition and all of us can make art. Some things that we think are not art, really are. Mary shows her students how to look at things in a different way.”

Open House at the Colley Senior Complex Tuesday is an open invitation to see what friends and neighbors are doing in the expanding world of art.

“And, there’s a place at the Colley Senior Complex for all our seniors, whether they enjoy the arts or just think they might,” Jordan said.