Whiddon Kelso’s ready to show residents’ works

Some of the works she produced during that period will be on display to bring joy to others when Whiddon Kelso holds an art exhibition this week to celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival.

Ms Young, 96, who came to Whiddon Kelso two years ago to be close to family in Bathurst, no longer paints due to macular problems, but she was an exhibiting member of the Ku-Ring-Gai Art Society on Sydney’s North Shore for about 40 years.

She said she used to do a lot of sketching before she got married and returned to art when her children got older.

“I really loved my years of painting,” she said.

She enjoyed capturing flowers, landscapes and still life.

“But mainly flowers,” she said.

Ms Young’s fellow Whiddon Kelso resident Bep Keuning will also be exhibiting her work: an intricate hand-made miniature domestic scene and some old-fashioned wooden pegs turned into figures. 

The art exhibition will be held this Thursday and Friday, April 5 and 6.

As well as watercolours and miniature houses, the works on display will include mosaic creations and leadlight objects.

Whiddon Kelso director of care services Nicole Mahara said the exhibition will celebrate residents’ work.

“This exhibition has been lovingly put together by our residents and staff who are very excited to host the exhibition to the public,” she said.

“There will be more than 150 works on display and visitors can chat to resident artists about the inspiration behind them. It’s a great way to meet new friends and join us for a cuppa and a chat.

“This is the first time we have held an exhibition like this. We are looking forward to welcoming our local community into our home to enjoy the works, spend time with residents and be inspired to create their very own masterpieces.”

The exhibition, which will run from 10am to 4pm both days, will be free. Refreshments will also be on offer.

Whiddon Kelso activities officer Martin Raphael said there was a perception in the general public that once someone went into a care home, they stopped doing the things they enjoyed, but that was not the case.