Art never gets old for senior citizens

By SUE HOFFMAN

Several years ago, Irene Battiato's children encouraged her to attend an art class.
"I went crazy for clay," she said. She also produced a number of wood carvings. "But my favorite is working with marble," she said, as she took out a drill with a special bit for chiseling. "My children adore my marble."
Using a variety of bits, as well as a hammer and chisel, she tunneled through the pinkish stone to give her sculpture a unique, graceful shape. She also used a stone file called a "riffler" and sandpaper to achieve the look she wanted. "Then you polish and polish and polish," she said about the final task in producing the high gloss and color unique to each stone.
Most of her work is for her children to enjoy, said Mrs. Battiato, 92, but her apartment at the Weils of Bainbridge, a senior living community, is graced with a number of her sculptures. Her works include a marble eagle, Native American, Japanese dog and abstract themes, as well as a wood carved Buddha and clay sculpture of a woman.
Mrs. Battiato, formerly of Gates Mills, is one of several talented resident artists who will be presenting their work at an art show at the Weils on May 15. Families and friends of the senior citizens will be invited to savor works from sculpture and paintings to handmade quilts and needlepoint.
The art show is the brainchild of the creative writing group at the Weils, which meets monthly for composing prose and poetry as well as discussion.
"The artists at the Weils make life interesting and more beautiful," said Mary Jean DeVaul, life enrichment coordinator. "They bring a sense of wonder and mystery to everyone they encounter. It is amazing to me each day, the unlimited talents of our residents."
Life as an artist began at 30 for Dorothy Sycle, a former Shaker Heights resident. "Before, I worked with clay, but I liked painting better," she said.
Mrs. Sycle, 93, will display her scenes of Hawaii and Venice in pastels. "I took pictures and did the paintings after I got home," she said. Aside from the colorful travel scenes, she has done portraits of her grandchildren.
"When you get to be older, you have to keep up," said Rhoda Roth, 87. "Your mind is like a muscle and it needs to be used."
Mrs. Roth, a retired registered nurse previously living in Shaker Heights, said she has been painting since she was 5 or 6 years old. "I never had formal training," she said. "I paint because I love it." Her displayed works include a copy of Renoir's still life with flowers and a sleigh snow scene. "Both were puzzles," she said, and she copied the pictures on canvas. Besides oil painting, Mrs. Roth said she enjoys crocheting afghans.
Quilting is the expertise of Eleanor Bittence, 90, whose displayed works include a king-size quilt with cross-stitched floral design. Originally from Highland Heights, Mrs. Bittence said two grandsons have her "Granny's Garden" quilts, featuring octagonal decorations.
"For a long time, I worked with needlepoint," she said. "I did needlepoint until I had no more walls."
Marilyn Stavis, from West Chester, N.Y., said she has been painting for several years. Formerly a professional tap dancer, she quipped, "Painting takes me away from dancing, which is exhausting." A former member of the Cleveland Women's Orchestra and Shaker Orchestra, she is also a musician, playing piano, cello and harp.
Another longtime artist and art appraiser, Lila Held has a virtual museum in her apartment. The former Shaker Heights resident has done watercolors, woodcuts, ceramics and other sculptures, which now adorn her living room, bedroom and kitchen.
"I've been at this since I was 8 years old," said Mrs. Held, 82. "In the summer I frequently do paintings outdoors."
Mrs. Held, who has a degree in art education and has done graduate work in art history and aesthetics at Case Western Reserve University, has been a certified art appraiser for nearly 20 years and has taught art classes for adults and children. She has traveled to museums and galleries throughout the United States, Canada, Middle East and Europe.
The artist has been listed in "Who's Who in America" and numerous other "Who's Who" books. She also holds a certificate of achievement from "Who's Who in Professional and Executive Women."