We arrived at the McKinney Senior Residence in with artworks by New York City artists, our wonderful MC Comrade Cav, and photographer Débora Michèle Osso, who documented the event. We held a raffle and invited the winners to choose a work of art they wanted to see on the wall of their dining room of their residence for the next six months.
The choices people made were so interesting. We asked each person why they had chosen that particular artwork.
One man spoke about domestic violence. Another talked about hunger in the world. A woman reflected on South Africa and Nelson Mandela. Others shared memories, ideas, or simply sat quietly, taking in the images. Some residents were more talkative than others, but all were engaged. All had something to say, even if it wasn’t expressed in words.
A woman chose Woman Diving by Ali Dachis. When asked why she chose it, she simply replied: “Freedom.”
She speaks very little, so we continued gently: “Does it remind you of someone?”
“Me.”
“Were you like that?”
“Yes.”
“Are you still like that?”
“Yes.”
It was such a powerful moment. We might have assumed that this woman’s life was very restricted, but in just a few words, she affirmed her spirit, and we felt humbled.
The conversation reminded us that visual art is not just decoration. It can touch something inside us It can awaken ideas, stir emotions, and give people a way to express thoughts they may not share otherwise.
Comrade Cav has a remarkable gift for bringing people into the conversation. He creates warmth and invites participation. The residence manager told us she had never seen the residents so animated in expressing their ideas and feelings. Hearing that meant a great deal to us.
At the end of the afternoon, we left behind a wall of artworks chosen by the residents themselves. But we also left with something.
We left reminded that art matters.
We are deeply grateful to the residents and the management for welcoming us, for their openness, and for sharing their thoughts and feelings with us. The atmosphere was warm and generous.
