Asbury Communities Seniors Visit CCACC Art Gallery

Seven elders from Asbury Methodist Village (hereinafter referred to as "Asbury"), a senior living community in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, visited CCACC Art Gallery on June 7, 2023 to see the special art exhibition on “Across Land, Across Water” honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, featuring seven Vietnamese American artists. Rita Lewi, Executive Director of CCACC and also the Art Gallery Director, warmly welcomed the visitors and gave a tour to these art-loving seniors with an interest in Asian cultures.

During the visit, several seniors were deeply impressed with a large installation artwork hung from the ceiling to the floor in the exhibition hall. This artwork, composed of over 80 colorful traditional Vietnamese costumes called "áo dài," donated by Vietnamese communities across the United States, symbolizes the experiences of the previous generation during the harsh Vietnam War and their arduous journey fleeing their original country to seek a new home across the oceans. After listening to Lewi’s detailed explanation of the artwork, the visitors gained a deeper understanding of Vietnamese and Asian cultures.

Asbury is a premier retirement community in Gaithersburg, Maryland that integrates living, healthcare, entertainment, and arts. Established in 1926 in Gaithersburg, it is now the 15th largest nonprofit senior living organization in the United States, as ranked by LeadingAge Ziegler 200 (LZ 200). The community has its own art gallery, dedicated to exhibiting artworks created by the elderly residents. Patty Malatt, Arts Administrator at Asbury, said that she organizes monthly visits to different art galleries for art enthusiasts among the residents to enrich their cultural lives. CCACC Art Gallery is a new stopover on their journey of art explorations, and she greatly appreciates Lewi providing them the opportunity to learn about cultural diversity and art from different ethnic groups. Impressed with the visit, they look forward to further exchanges in the future.

(Article by CCACC Ashley; Photos by CCACC)