WESTFIELD – For many years, paintings by seniors in an art class at the Westfield Senior Center have been scanned in the Graphic Arts Department at Westfield Technical Academy for a variety of projects, and recently, an idea by Matthew Seklecki blossomed into two 2021 calendars.
“We have worked with art instructor Elaine Lees for many years on a variety of projects, including greeting cards,” said Seklecki, who is the department head of Arts and Communications, adding, “because of the COVID pandemic we have had a lack of real-life projects for students to work on so I thought a calendar might make a great idea.”
Westfield Technical Academy students have designed two 2021 calendars in conjunction with the Westfield Senior Center. (MATTHEW SEKLECKI PHOTO)
Lees was all-in when she discussed the idea with Seklecki.
“What a project – it has been fantastic,” said Lees, noting the interest she has seen from local residents who have purchased a calendar.
Seklecki shared a similar sentiment.
“Here in our shop we do a lot of work for municipalities and other schools, and students are much more interested and involved when they are producing a product for a customer,” said Seklecki.
Calendars are $5 each and can be purchased at the Westfield Senior Center, however, it is recommended to call the center first to ensure calendars are available. Calendars are full color and sized at 8.5” x 11″.
Lees noted that seniors who have artwork featured in the first calendar include the late Raymond Ourand, Norman Lacombe and Florence Fitzgerald. Lees also has artwork in the calendar.
Paintings of scenes throughout the city include the gazebo, City Hall, downtown, and Westfield buildings.
“There was such a demand for this calendar that we decided to create a second calendar of florals,” said Lees.
Seklecki said he will have his senior students working on the floral calendar the week of Dec. 14 to ensure there is still ample time to purchase one at the Westfield Senior Center.
Bob Paquette and Anne Thompson are among the local residents featured in the floral calendar.
“I did a drawing of a rose related to a photo taken by my stepdaughter that won first place at the Three County Fair,” said Paquette, who started using pastel colored pencils on the artwork.
“I also used colored paper and the color was close to the color of the rose,” said Paquette.
Paquette, who has been a member of the senior center art class for several years, said he misses those classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the senior center to close in early spring.
“Elaine allows you to paint the way you want to paint,” said Paquette, adding, “she gives you directions and pointers and you can use it and it may work for you.”
Paquette encourages local residents to consider joining the class when the senior center reopens.
“If you are a person who likes to paint or draw as a hobby and want to enjoy an art class and meet and be with other artists, it’s a place to meet other people that enjoy doing what you are doing,” said Paquette. “Elaine wants you to paint what makes you happy and that is why everybody keeps coming back.”
Thompson concurred.
“I like to paint seascapes mostly,” said Thompson, noting the one painting she did with flowers was chosen for the calendar. “Everyone loved that painting and I did frame it.”
Thompson described Lees as a “wonderful teacher and a lovely friend.”
“For beginners and people who have not painted, everyone learns a lot from Elaine,” said Thompson. “The people are wonderful and are all so sweet. I just love going because we are all good friends.”
For Seklecki, the calendars have been a welcome project – offering students a “real-world experience.”
“I had all of this artwork scanned and I think it was the easiest thing to do for students to research and find the right paintings for the calendars,” said Seklecki. “This project also gave my students a way to give back to the community.”
Lees added that the first calendar has been dedicated to class members who have passed and also recognizes the print shop class members who were responsible for producing the calendar.
