Alameda Senior Center Showcases Local Artwork

ALAMEDA, CA — There’s an art exhibition happening in Alameda that boasts 159 artworks from 88 artists – all of whom are a part of the Mastick Senior Center.

“It’s inspiring to see the breadth of creativity and talent produced by our seniors, from artists who have been producing art for decades, to those exploring a new-found passion,” said Morace McKay, Mastick Senior Center Recreation Manager.

The Mastick Senior Center, with over 4,300 members, is a division of the Alameda Recreation & Park Department. It offers a variety of programs and services – health, education, recreation and more – for adults age 50 and older. Art shows, like the current one, are an annual offering for the Mastick community and a means to showcase local creativity.

This year’s exhibit, which opened in June and runs through Aug. 15, marks the event’s 24th anniversary. It features more artists and works than ever before, making it the center’s "biggest show as of yet,” said curator Alison Limoges.

“Last year, we opened it up to all members of the center – not just members who were taking Mastick art classes – and that was to recognize and encourage people who were creating art on their own in other studios or at home as well,” she said. “Since then, we've been getting a lot more applications filled out and a lot more artwork submitted.”

Limoges has been curating the show with friend Diane Alabaster for the last 12 or so years.

When she and Alabaster first joined the Mastick Senior Center, they indicated on their new member information sheets that they were interested in art. Jackie Krause, the center’s executive director at the time, then reached out and asked if they’d be willing to create art exhibits at the center.

“We both said yes, and we've been doing it ever since,” she said.

Limoges, an artist herself, also has some of her own work featured in the exhibit.

“I do found-object art, mostly from natural found objects, and I do wall hangings, sculptures and mobiles,” Limoges said.

Mastick Senior Center visitors will come across a variety of art mediums, such as ceramics, mosaics, stained glass, knitting, jewelry and quilts on display as part of the exhibit. And, for the first time in the history of the show, there are Chinese ink paintings.

“They’re from a Chinese ink painting class that's being offered,” said Limoges. “It appeared that most, if not all of the students involved, submitted something – usually one or two pieces.”

The addition of these paintings, plus more pieces in general, meant having to give thought to how to fit everything into the center's space.

“We ended up deciding that [the Chinese ink paintings] worked best in the lobby and the music room – in continuous areas that connect to each other. It’s just a lovely part of the show,” said Limoges.

As the center previously housed an elementary school, it has plenty of square footage, which Limoges put to good use.

“This art show, because it was so large, is in multiple rooms. It's in the dining room, the game room, and the media room, which is the library. It's also in a little music room. We expanded it into part of the main office and even into one of the dining rooms,” she said.

And how long does setting up an exhibition with so many art pieces take? For curator veterans Limoges and cohort Alabaster, only a day, with ample planning prior. They also had some support with the show’s installation.

“We corralled our husbands into helping this time,” she shared. “We also ask some of the artists if they can volunteer and usually two or three of them give us a few hours of their time, which makes a big difference.”

Over the coming weeks, prior to the show’s closing, Limoges hopes more residents head to the center to take in the art. She also appreciates the reception that the exhibit has thus far received.

“It’s a great thing to have people come from all over the island," she said, adding, "It really is a wonderful show and quite diverse."

Mastick Senior Center is located at 1155 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda.

Exhibition viewing hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Some of the artists’ pieces are for sale, with 15% of the proceeds going toward supporting art classes at the Mastick Senior Center.