By Rod Ivey
Participants of the Su-Casa Residency Program at the Theodora Jackson Adult Center showcased their artwork in a program-ending finale last week.
The program participants presented their original silk scarves, designed and hand-painted over the last six months, at the June 18 event. The director of Su-Casa, Anthonia Akinbola. also unveiled a large painting that the entire program created together.
“The artwork provides an item that is wearable and valuable as something they can use and see,” Akinbola said.
Theodora Jackson Adult Center — located at 92-47 165th St. in Jamaica — is run under the direction of Cynthia Ellington and provides exercise, lunch and special trips to the seniors of Jamaica.
A dozen of the clients attended the unveiling and modeled their fashions that stylishly accessorized the outfits they wore. Participants of the program felt the creation of wearable silk scarves was useful as well as beautiful.
“It provides me with a skill that could also be used in a business,” said Aminah, an artist and participant.
Akinbola and her husband, Patrick, created the art program together. They are both from Nigeria and met while receiving degrees at the University of Missouri, where they started their art programs. They later relocated to New York City to get greater support for the programs.
This particular showcase was sponsored by an award from the Queens Council On the Arts.
