The Blooming, a solo exhibit of Meliza Gonzales held recently at the Sunshine Place, showcased why art is for all ages and why it’s never too late to become an artist.
Meliza, who had no previous experience in painting began attending workshops at the senior center under Art Association of the Philippines President Fidel Sarmiento in 2015.
At that time, “she thought that life has plateaued with grown-up kids taking more control of their lives,” shares one of her daughters, Giliza. It was her husband Gil who encouraged her to take painting lessons at the Sunshine Place. While she was hesitant at first, Meliza took the big leap, and with the guidance of Maestro Fidel, the blooming went into over drive.
It was not long before Meliza participated in the Sunshine Place’s group exhibits for its art class students. The Blooming, her first solo exhibit, features her acrylic paintings—from florals, greeneries and forests, to cityscapes and memories of the provincial life.
Meliza is grateful for the different kind of fulfillment and confidence that the art program has brought. She shares that through painting she has rediscovered another side of herself after raising children and having a career in banking and in the food business.
Sarmiento, on the other hand, was elated over this special achievement of one of his most hardworking students. Meliza, he says, is always the first to arrive at the Sunshine Place to work on her paintings, but also the last to leave. He adds that she “showed potential ever since she began her first painting which looked like a professional’s work.”
Sunshine Place offers art classes to seniors, as well as adults, teens and kids. At the core of the workshops, are mentoring sessions in hands-on techniques, application of different brushes and basic strokes, and color rendering. Participants get to explore different styles in creating still life, landscape, cityscape, underwater, animals and portrait paintings.
Sunshine Place, a senior recreation center under the Felicidad Tan Sy Foundation, is a venue for adults to live actively, through engaging in recreational classes and age-appropriate physical training programs. It is the venue to be entertained, to socialize and to reflect; a place of happiness and wellness for one’s mind, body and soul.
For more information, visit the Sunshine Place at #56 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati City; or call (02) 856-4144 and (0917) 515-5656; and email seniorhubjupiter@gmail.com.