Onorato receives ‘Art from the Heart’

State Senator George Onorato visited the Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility on Monday, October 29 and was given a drawing to display in his office, by resident artist James Keane, Sr.
The 81-year-old Keane, who was presented with a state proclamation by Onorato last year in recognition of his artwork, won his third consecutive spot in the annual “Art from the Heart” calendar in 2007.
The calendar program, sponsored by both the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and the Foundation for Quality Care, Inc., was created to recognize art created by residents of New York nursing homes.
“It’s just a great way to reward some of the creative artists and thinkers we have in our extended care facilities,” said Richard S. Patterson, Jr., senior director of Business Development for the NYSHFA.
Since 2004, Keane has first had to win the facility competition to be considered for the calendar, which receives entries from nursing homes across New York State. In 2007, more than 70 entries were sent in for the 2008 calendar, and 13 pieces, including Keane’s, were chosen to be published.
“We’re proud and fortunate to have had so many residents eager to participate in the program over its first three years,” Patterson said.
In addition to the 13 artworks published in the calendars which are distributed to state lawmakers, government officials and NYSHFA member facilities in the fall, nine more pieces are chosen to be a part of the “Art from the Heart” exhibit at the Albany Institute of History and Art in February 2008.
“Everybody thinks when they come to a nursing home, they’re going to see Digger O’Dell, the friendly undertaker,” Onorato said. “James’s work here at the Queens Extended Care is just a fine example of how wonderful facilities like this have activities to keep our seniors’ minds and bodies occupied.”
Keane, joined by his wife and his daughter, said he always had an interest in drawing, and never stopped expressing his artistic vision.
“I just always liked to draw,” Keane said after presenting Onorato with his 2007 winner, “Latin Lady,” a portrait of a shadowy woman in deep thought. “I’ve been drawing since 1st grade, and haven’t stopped since,” he said.
Linda Newby, director of Therapeutic Recreation at the Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility, said Keane’s work, which was displayed in the 2007 “Art from the Heart” exhibit, attracted a female fan who was so impressed with his work, that she called Newby from Albany to ask if she could congratulate Keane.
“We’re very proud of his work, and that he can represent us so beautifully,” she said.
The “Art from the Heart” calendars can also be purchased, with the proceeds going to benefit the Foundation for Quality Care, which uses the proceeds to improve nursing care and administration.
Calendars are available for $12, and can be purchased by calling the New York State Health Facilities Association at 518-462-4800, Ext. 23, or visiting: https://www.nyshfa.org