A group show of eight spry, artistic seniors who are members of or volunteers of SPRYE forms the new art exhibit in the Art Gallery of The Osborn…

By Arthur Stampleman

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A group show of eight spry, artistic seniors who are members of or volunteers of SPRYE forms the new art exhibit in the Art Gallery of The Osborn senior living community, and demonstrates the high quality and range of artistic skills possessed by Rye’s senior citizens. The public is invited to view the exhibit at a wine & cheese reception on November 19 from 4:30-6.

SPRYE is our area’s aging-in-place organization, helping senior citizens remain in their homes. The Osborn displays art in its Rehabilitation Center in the Pavilion building for the enjoyment of patients, guests, residents, and staff, while providing a unique opportunity for seniors to showcase their artwork. The relationship between the two organizations dates from SPRYE’s startup, when The Osborn graciously contributed office space for the organization.

A range of media — photography, painting, collage, drawing, needlepoint and quilting — are represented in the almost three-dozen works on display. And the eight artists whose works are on view come from a wide range of careers.

Anthony Briganti had a successful career selling houses and insurance. The exhibit includes six of his acrylic seascape and landscape paintings.

Sigi Brunner is a retired CEO of several German subsidiaries in the U.S. Three of his photographs will be on view.

A colored charcoal copy of an Egon Schiele figure and an abstract collage are the work of Doris Mark, a retired interior designer and space planner.

Two of Nancy Platt’s needlepoints – a round flowered wreath and a scene of dancing frogs — will be on view. She is a retired human resources professional.

Wendy Rolland, a retired architect who served on the Rye Board of Architectural Review, will exhibit four black-and-white photographs taken in Zimbabwe in 1996.

The smallest works in the exhibit – three colored landscape photographs are by Tom Saunders, a retired telecommunications engineer and SPRYE’s first president.

The largest work in the show is an abstract, multicolored cotton fabric quilt by Sue Schwartz, who is a retired Scarsdale teacher.

Marjorie Wynne, a retired Rye schoolteacher, has the largest number of works in the show — ten oil paintings, mainly landscapes.

Patients and staff were quick to praise the works the day after they were hung. “There’s a lot of talent here,” noted one resident.

If you can’t make it to the opening, call The Osborn a day in advance at 925-8218 to schedule a visit between 4-6 most afternoons. The Osborn’s Art Gallery is in the Rehabilitation Center, which may be accessed through the Pavilion building. The show runs through January 6.