Now celebrating its 26th anniversary, the Spirit Is Ageless 2026 Art & Writing Contest returns to CC Young Senior Living, inviting older adults across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to showcase their creativity and submit original art and writing creations. Since its launch in 1999, this beloved competition has become a cultural touchstone, shining a spotlight on the powerful, often untold stories and talents that flourish later in life, reminding us that creativity knows no age limits.
Spirit is Ageless | Art & Writing Contest 2026
Celebration & Gallery Details:
Please join us to honor all of our participants and hear from Marianne Gargour at the Artists and Writers Reception and Awards Presentation:
- Date & Time: Friday, October 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM
- Location: The Point at CC Young
The exhibit will remain on display through the end of the celebration. The gallery at The Point is open free of charge to the public 7 days a week, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. We encourage you to bring family and friends to view this year’s inspirational artwork and writing.
Directions to The Point at CC Young
- Address: 4847 West Lawther Drive Dallas, TX 75214
- Location on Campus: See campus map for The Point.
- Driving Instructions:
- From I-75 Central Expressway, follow signs for Northwest Highway/TX-12 Loop East. Travel east for about 2.5 miles and turn right onto West Lawther Drive. Our main entrance is on the right, marked by a white guard shack and CC Young signage. Proceed up the driveway to The Point.
2026 Winners
Visual Categories
2026 Drawing & Illustration
Includes artwork primarily created using mediums such as charcoal, pencil, and pastel.
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First Place
Annie DiGiovanni, Bluebonnet Bliss -
Second Place
Annie DiGiovanni, “Are we there yet?” -
Third Place
Merry Fuhrer, Dominoes Night
2026 Echoes of the Masters
Art created in the style or spirit of a recognizes artist, movement, or tradition.
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First Place
Eliane Bailey, La Cueillette -
Second Place
Rosari Birmingham, Houses in Auvers -
Third Place
Wes Colwill, Caravaggio’s Madonna di Loreto
2026 Emerging Artist
Open to artists of all mediums who entered for the first time.
-
First Place
Barbara Hartger, Flower Pops -
Second Place
David Morr, River -
Third Place
Diane Flint, Mr. Kloostra’s tie — Reimagined
2026 Group Entry
Artwork in any visual art category created collaboratively by two or more individuals.
-
First Place
Class Act II (Gaylord O’Con, Jacque Wacker, Rosari Birmingham, Pat Moore, Nancy Roberts, Cate Cloft), Class Act II – Fresh Flowers -
Second Place
Vista 5, Hydrangeas -
Third Place
Assisted Living, Flying High, Deep Blue Sea
2026 Hard Crafts & Sculpture
Three-dimensional art created through carving, casting, modeling, or other shaping techniques. This also includes wearable art.
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First Place
Karen Cook, Butterflies and Irises -
Second Place
Miles Zitmore, What is Man? -
Third Place
Fred Christen, Two Openers & a Bottle
2026 Mixed Media
Artwork incorporating two or more distinct artistic mediums.
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First Place
Beth Swider, A Purr-fect Path To . . . -
Second Place
Debra Campbell, Flower Dreaming -
Third Place
Pam Galvani, Martha
2026 Painting (Acrylic)
Paintings on canvas or paper using acrylic paints.
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First Place
Laurieann Dygowski, It’s Just Down The Road -
Second Place
Jane Flury, Cocktail Hour -
Third Place
Edda Ulrich, Still Life with Orange Bowl
2026 Painting (Oil & Oil Pastel)
Paintings on canvas or paper using oil paints or oil pastels.
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First Place
John Ellis, Cezanne -
Second Place
Brigitte Able, Stormy Weather -
Third Place
Pattie Gooch, Sailing at Dusk
2026 Painting (Watercolor)
Paintings on canvas or paper using watercolor paints.
-
First Place
Terry McGuffin, Serenity at Sunset -
Second Place
John Ellis, Trees -
Third Place
Pamela Williamson, Sunset Winter Night
2026 Photography
Printed images captured by a traditional camera or mobile device.
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First Place
Jill Hennegan, Egrets in Reflection -
Second Place
Sandy Kaiser, Tranquility on the Reservation -
Third Place
Brianna Brown, The Hurricane Way at The Beach
2026 Soft Crafts (Quilts & Blankets)
Large quilted or blanketed textile art.
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First Place
Isabel Davis, Kaleidoscope Squares -
Second Place
Ruth Anderson, The Texas Ark -
Third Place
Margaret Williams, Chain Reaction
2026 Soft Crafts (Other)
Includes items crafted through techniques like crocheting, knitting, weaving, tatting, needlework, embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlepoint.
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First Place
Pattie Gooch, Iris -
Second Place
Sue VanDuzee, Gourmet -
Third Place
Maureen Mann, Will You Still Love Me
Writing Categories
2026 Personal Essay & Short Story
Includes short stories, novellas, and scripts.
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First Place
Faye Munson, Breakfast at Hardees -
Second Place
uth Turner, Growing Up Female -
Third Place
Lorrie Mercer, The Citroen that went Ka-Boom
2026 Poetry & Prose
Verse writing, including but not limited to prose poetry, free verse, formal poetry, and song lyrics.
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First Place
Susan Binford Patton, I’m sure gonna miss me when I’m gone -
Second Place
Geanie Burns, Mother Confusion -
Third Place
Brian Parman, Golden Hour Guard
2026 Other Special Honors
Best in Show Writing CCY Resident:
Faye Munson (Breakfast at Hardees)
Best In Show Writing Community Member:
Susan Binford Patton (I’m sure gonna miss me when I’m gone)
Best in Show Art CC Young Resident:
Pattie Gooch (Iris)
Best In Show Art Community Member:
Terry McGuffin (Serenity at Sunset)
Ageless Creativity Award CC Young Resident:
Anita Hullum, (Age 101)