Since December, the Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center’s (CMCWC) sun-filled halls have been lined with art by local senior artists as part of the “Inspired By A Lifetime” art exhibition. With the CMCWC serving the area’s seniors, the artists featured in the collection are a reflection of the individuals using the center’s services. This exhibit welcomes art back to the center after several years with empty walls—and the community is excited to see their lives reflected throughout the CMCWC.
From photography to mixed media, abstract to figurative, the variety of mediums and styles on display shows a range of emotions, stories, and inspiration. To the center’s visitors, this exhibition reflects the vibrance of the community.
Here are some of featured artists, you can see on display at the CMCWC through April:
Artist Greg McGee draws everyday—using pencil, pen and watercolor to create portraits. Despite Greg’s prolific portrait production, this is the first time he has had his art on display in an exhibition.
“I am so grateful to have my work in the exhibit. I have been reluctant to show my work,” said artist Greg McGee. “I am drawn to the mission of the Cora McCorvey Center as it aligns with my own hopes of creating a more inclusive world.”
Christopher Harrison’s two art pieces on display in the exhibit tell stories of the contemporary and historical African American experience in paint, collage, and charcoal.
“I think it is important that art plays a part in everybody’s lives because it definitely helps us realize that, you know, there are great things in life to admire and be inspired by,” said artist Christopher Harrison.
Artists Amoke Kubat, Jen Johnson, Kym Young, Missy Polster, and Shanai Matteson collectively call themselves “The Squad.” Together, these women create visual art, poetry, and theatrical art illustrating their unique backgrounds and their formed community. These five artists cross many social lines—geography, race, religion, profession—in pursuit of care, conversation, and ultimately friendship, and that is evident in their collective works.
“The Squad came together by a very circuitous and deliberate response to cultural shifts that were tearing our country and the world to pieces. We each came towards a collective call to shatter hate and racism, age and agendas that in themselves were overwhelming,” said artist Kym Young.
View the “Inspired By A Lifetime” art exhibit now through April Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm at Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center (1015 N 4th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405).
