La Mesa health library presents New StARTs art exhibit featuring paintings by seniors and disabled adults

The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now presenting its Summer Art Exhibit showcasing 24 oil paintings created in a collaborative process by seniors and disabled adults living at Del Cerro Manor, a San Diego private residential care facility for the elderly. The exhibit runs through September.

The exhibit was organized by San Diego resident Linda Bounds, artist, educator, and founder of New StARTs, a multi-sensory art program that helps seniors and disabled adults transcend severe impairment, disability and isolation. Founded in 2001, New StARTs reaches out to individuals facing the challenge of elderly life, as well as those facing debilitating emotional, neurological and physical conditions.

Kathy Quinn, Herrick Library director, said, “This collection of paintings on display represents more than 10 years of collaboration by residents of Del Cerro Manor. The art-making process is extremely engaging and shows us the art of healing. It teaches residents to see like the masters and collaborate together to create beautiful oil paintings. This exhibit reminds us that art is not only in the eye of the beholder, but also in the eyes, hearts and hands of those special individuals, now considered as artists.”

Admission to the Herrick Community Health Care Library is free. The Summer Art Exhibit is open to the public during regular library hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, phone (619) 825-5010 or visit www.herricklibrary.org.