CC Young Announces Winners of the 23nd Annual Spirit is Ageless Art & Writing Contest

DALLAS – August 30, 2023 – CC Young Senior Living has announced the winners of the 23rd annual Spirit is Ageless Art & Writing Contest, who will be recognized at an awards celebration on Fri., Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at The Point Auditorium on the CC Young campus. Contest winners will be recognized in person and the event will be streamed live for additional guests. Awards will be given to the top three winners in 14 categories as well as four “Best in Show” awards, and the “Celebrating Ageless Creativity” award for the most senior participant in the show. All participants are aged 55 and better, with this year’s most senior participant at 98 years of age.

The Spirit is Ageless Art & Writing Contest continues to be one of CC Young’s most popular cultural events among residents and the public. This year, the contest saw 156 submissions in 14 categories. Each of the 156 submissions is on display in CC Young’s gallery at The Point through Friday, October 27, 2023. The show truly exemplifies the words, “The Spirit is Ageless,” by illustrating diverse perspectives in all mediums. The art submitted by these participants carries a unique perspective and depth, reflecting a lifetime of experiences and wisdom. These artists and writers challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that creativity knows no age boundaries.

CC Young is honored to have Dr. Laura Evans, UNT College of Visual Arts & Design, serve as the featured speaker of this year’s Spirit is Ageless Awards Reception & Celebration. Dr. Evans is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Art Education and the Coordinator of the Art Museum Education Certificate at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She teaches about art museum education, art museology, art interpretation, art appreciation, art crime, and narrative/auto-ethnographic research methods. Her current book project is about how we can learn about ourselves, others, and the world through looking at and talking about art together.

Evans received her Ph.D. in Art Education at Ohio State University, a master’s degree in museum studies at the University of Toronto, and a bachelor’s degree in art history and English at Denison University. She has also studied abroad in Finland, Brazil, and New Zealand. Evans has worked at art museums around the world from the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in Western Australia to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. with many more in between. She has worked with museums around the country such as the Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth, Texas, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles to provide critical museology training.

Evans has a special interest in art crime: thefts, fakes, and forgeries. She studied Art Crime at the Association of Research into Crimes Against Art (Amelia, Italy) and has a postgraduate degree in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime from the University of Glasgow (Scotland). She lectures about art crime on cruise ships that sail the high seas.

“This annual show provides us an opportunity to celebrate ageless creativity and feature the talent and potential of all participants. It is such an honor to recognize the impressive works submitted not only by our CC Young residents, but also by Point Members, and the community at large. We are thrilled to welcome our friend and new partner, Dr. Laura Evans, as our featured speaker at this year’s celebration,” said Jennifer Griffin, CC Young vice president of Community Outreach & Engagement.

2023 Spirit is Ageless Art & Writing Contest Winners

Sunflowers and Oranges by Martha Newfield

Best in Show – Art: CC Young Resident Age at Completion: 80

Man from Papua by Brigitte Able

Best in Show – Art: Community Member Age at Completion: 72

A Rose Bouquet by Richard Jacobi

Best in Show – Writing: CC Young Resident Age at Completion: 90

A Love Affair by Lorlee Bartos

Best in Show – Writing: Community Member Age at Completion: 76

15 Squares by Peggy Huddleston and Hillside Assisted Living Residents

Ageless Creativity Award Age at Completion: 97

2023 SPIRIT IS AGELESS – ALL PLACE WINNERS

1st Place Drawing & Illustration:
Perseus and Henrietta by Wes Colwill
Community Member, Age at Completion: 71

2nd Place Drawing & Illustration:
Ivy and Daddy by Annie DiGiovanni
Community Member, Age at Completion: 65

3rd Place Drawing & Illustration:
Mommy and Thomason by Annie DiGiovanni
Community Member, Age at Completion: 63

1st Place Group Entry:
Wander Lust by CCY Vista 5th Floor Residents
CCY Residents, Ages at Completion: 76-93

2nd Place Group Entry:
Uncomformist by CCY Vista 4th Floor Residents
CC Young Residents, Ages at Completion: 66-97

3rd Place Group Entry
15 Squares by CCY Hillside Residents
(CC Young Residents, Ages at Completion: 73-98)


1st Place Hard Crafts
Cloud Dreaming by Debra Campbell
Community Member, Age at Completion: 69

2nd Place Hard Crafts
Mosaic Veggie by Pattie Gooch
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion 64

3rd Place Hard Crafts
Blue Garden by Elise Hustis
CC Young Resident, Age at Completiion 66


1st Place Mixed Media
Let’s Play by Aaron Schmidt
Community Member, Age at Completion: 61

2nd Place Mixed Media
Save Our Planet by Rita Barnard
Community Member, Age at Completion: 73

3rd Place Mixed Media
Flaming Trees by Carolina Marrero
Community Member, Age at Completion: 75


1st Place Painting (Acrylic)
Sunflowers and Oranges by Martha Newfield
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 80

2nd Place Painting (Acrylic)
Trunk Show by Laurie Huff
Community Member, Age at Completion: 61

3rd Place Painting (Acrylic)
Always By Patrick Moore
Community Member, Age at Completion: 76


1st Place Painting (Oil & Oil Pastel)
Man from Papua by Brigitte Able
Community Member, Age at Completion: 72

2nd Place Painting (Oil & Oil Pastel)
Jubilant Tulips by Rosari Birmingham
Community Member, Age at Completion: 73

3rd Place Painting (Oil & Oil Pastel)
Sunrise on the Sea of Galilee by Ruby McLeod
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 95


1st Place Painting (Watercolor)
1841 by Sandra Ibach
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 76

2nd Place Painting (Watercolor)
Yellow Irisis by Rosari Birmingham
Community Member, Age at Completion: 74

3rd Place Painting (Watercolor)
Wash Day by Karen Jacobi
Community Member, Age at Completion: 63


1st Place Photography
Blue Hold Buddies by Gene McWhorter
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 72

2nd Place Photography
Taos Church by Jane Harris
Community Member, Age at Completion: 65

3rd Place Photography
Santa Mailboxes by Jane Harris
Community Member, Age at Completion: 65

1st Place Poetry
A Rose Bouquet by Richard Jacobi
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 90

2nd Place Poetry
Flapping Their Wings by Marilyn Neese
Community Member, Age at Completion: 60

3rd Place Poetry
The Effects of 9/11 by Denise Dudley
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 65

1st Place Prose
The New Dress by Wilton Crocker
Community Member, Age at Completion: 82

2nd Place Prose
Orphan Journey by Frances Jones
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 68

3rd Place Prose
A Cold Oven by Mary Gilhooly
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 88

1st Place Sculpture
African Woman and Child M by Lindsay Sexton
Community Member, Age at Completion: 60

2nd Place Sculpture
Gossip #3 By Eli Lorenz
Community Member, Age at Completion: 76

3rd Place Sculpture
Zuma by Gary Lawler
Community Member, Age at Completion: 70

1st Place Soft Crafts (Decorative)
Mr. Owl by Betty Martinez
Community Member, Age at Completion: 80

2nd Place Soft Crafts (Decorative)
Punkin Patch by Vikcy Piccola
Community Member, Age at Completion: 74

1st Place Soft Crafts (Sewing)
Firebrand by Carolyn Skei
Community Member, Age at Completion: 86

2nd Place Soft Crafts (Sewing)
Red Star Vintage Christmas by Nancy John
Community Member, Age at Completion: 75

3rd Place Soft Crafts (Sewing)
Crazy Quilt (pieces of granddaughters wedding dress) by Lou Bruce
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 74

1st Place Soft Crafts (Textile)
Southern Cemetary by Daphne Huffman
Community Member, Age at Completion: 76

2nd Place Soft Crafts (Textile)
Tatted by Mary Fink
CC Young Reisdent, Age at Completion: 64

3rd Place Soft Crafts (Textile)
Easter Afghan By Peggy Wing
CC Young Resident, Age at Completion: 65

About CC Young Senior Living

For more than 100 years, CC Young has been serving senior adults. The community is nestled in the heart of East Dallas on a lush 20-acre campus across from White Rock Lake. CC Young is a forward- thinking, nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community with a long history of excellence. Known for stellar services, CC Young holds a 5-Star overall Quality Rating from the Centers of Medicare Services in skilled nursing care, home health, and hospice. CC Young provides opportunities for Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, Long-Term Care, Respite Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation, Aquatics and Outpatient Therapy, and Hospice General Inpatient services. The Community Services Program offers Home Healthcare, Hospice and Palliative Care, and Private Care on- and off-campus. Its services are licensed in 13 counties throughout North Texas. The Vista’s opening in 2020 launched a new era of healthcare for residents and surrounding community members. Coming later, The Terraces will be the newest Independent Living residence featuring views of White Rock Lake. Additionally, The Point & Pavilion, located in the heart of the campus, offers creative, educational, recreational, fitness and spiritual opportunities for residents and the public. To schedule a tour or learn more, call 214-258-4000 or visit ccyoung.org.