Back in January, when I Am More hit all the north shore newspapers, I received a slew of exhibit requests from a wide variety of venues. One of those was Nichols Village Retirement Community in Groveland, MA after the Activities Director saw it in the Newburyport paper. It didn’t ring a bell at first, until I remembered the occasional mailer we’d receive, so I said, “Hey Iain, we’re invited to that place that’s been trying to get you to move in!”

Finally it was their turn for an exhibit, so we took a road trip to Groveland, which looks much like a small Vermont town to me, and had a tour of the facility. It’s quite mind-boggling: hair salon, pub, indoor pool, community gardens, nature trails through the woods, and a movie theater coming soon. The trick was to find a location quiet enough for reading the essays, but busy enough to entice viewers. We agreed on the lower lobby where the residents pick up their mail, browse the book sale, and stop for coffee.

This morning we loaded up the UHaul for the exhibit on another uncharacteristically beautiful day. We stacked the portraits against the wall in the lobby before setting up the panels, and instantly there was interest in this new happening. The residents were all very friendly and welcoming to us, but when resident Joan arrived on the scene, she lit up. She headed over to Maurice’s portrait in the front of the stack and gushed that he was just about to walk out of the frame. She wanted to know what this was, what was happening, and then she gestured to the stacks and said, “May I? I’ll be very careful.” I said to go ahead and she became more excited with every portrait–Joe’s eyes, Susie’s movement…when we came to Karen’s she declared, “That’s a photo.” I said, “No that’s pastel,” and she gasped. She shared her love of drawing as a child and her desire to learn watercolors. When her roommate appeared on the stairs she said, “Barbara, get over here!” I could have talked to her all day.

For this exhibit I tried to choose portraits that spoke to the residents’ needs with topics addressing mental illness and addiction from the perspective of seniors, as well as subjects who could be their children or grandchildren. I’m thrilled to debut Pam and Maurice’s newly framed portraits. A huge thank you to Activities Director Eleanor Baker for inviting us.

The exhibit at Nichols Village is open to the public on weekdays from 8-4 and weekends from 10-4. When you check in at the front desk they will direct you to the lower lobby. Maybe Joan and Barbara will be there to greet you.

I Am More is made possible by your contributions. To make a tax-deductible donation go to fiscal sponsor Ocean Alliance’s donation page and choose “I Am More” from the list of programs.