Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
March 2016
Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features local senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. Some have resumed art after putting it aside for a career, others have been creating beautiful pieces throughout their lives, and others never picked up a brush until after they retired, but all are now expressing themselves through art. This month, their works are on display at Newton Presbyterian Manor. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these artists have created,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Newton community.” ART IS AGELESS continued on page 2
Arts and sciences Dr. Gene Marsh is equal parts physician and painter In college, Dr. Gene Marsh read “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” a biographical novel of the master artist Michelangelo. In the book, he discovered that Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists would dissect animals to learn their anatomy, and thus become better at drawing and painting their forms. He thought this was a pretty good idea. “I thought, well, I’ll give med school a try. And even if I don’t like it I’ll have had anatomy, at least,” said Dr. Marsh, a Halstead resident. He went on to get his medical degree at the University of Kansas and became a surgeon. However, about a decade later, Dr. Marsh took a detour. He left surgery to earn a bachelor of fine arts degree at Wichita State University, and he took some master’s level courses as well. You can see one of Dr. Marsh’s paintings in this year’s Art is Ageless calendar—a watercolor titled “Little Arkansas River.” He has entered the local competition at Newton Presbyterian Manor many times, but ARTS AND SCIENCES, continued on page 5