Spirit is Ageless | Art & Writing Contest 2025 Winners

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Spirit Is Ageless 2025 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.

Visual Categories

Emerging Artist (New)
Open to artists of all mediums who entered for the first time.

First Place
Ann Welch, 74, Community Member, Blue Jay
Second Place
Ann Welch, 74, Community Member, In The Shadows
Third Place
Patricia Mulvaney, 78, Community Member, Gulf of Texas

Echoes of the Masters (New)
Art created in the style or spirit of a recognizes artist, movement, or tradition.

First Place
Wes Colwill, 73, Community Member, Irises in Violet
Second Place
Paul Leon Lorenz Jr., 70, Community Member, Shipped Out
Third Place
Jacque Wacker, 78, Point Member, Magnolia Grandiflora

Drawing & Illustration
Includes artwork primarily created using mediums such as charcoal, pencil, and pastel.

First Place
Sandy Ibach, 78, CC Young Resident, Tired, Happy Campers
Second Place
Annie DiGiovanni, 67, Community Member, Sisters
Third Place
Annie DiGiovanni, 67, Community Member, Jungle Kitty

Group Entry
Artwork in any visual art category created collaboratively by two or more individuals.

First Place
Vista 4 Residents, 74-98, CC Young Residents, Ageless Spirits
Second Place
Melinda O’Neal, Helen Conway, Mary Calloway, Connie Schweizer, Loretta Donnell, 62, Community Members, Friends Together
Third Place
Gaylord O’Con, Jacque Wacker, Rosari Birmingham, Pat Moore, Cate Cloft, Nancy Roberts, 74-83, Community Members, CLASS ACT

Hard Crafts & Sculpture
Three-dimensional art created through carving, casting, modeling, or other shaping techniques. This also includes wearable art.

First Place
Lindsay Sexton, 71, CC Young Resident, American Indian Dancer
Second Place
Fred Banes, 78, Community Member, Gift Box
Third Place
Melvin Gully, 73, Community Member, Puzzle Piece Holder

Mixed Media
Artwork incorporating two or more distinct artistic mediums.

First Place
Kathy Ramirez, 74, CC Young Resident, A Hint of Autumn
Second Place
Kerry Hennegan, 77, Point Member, A Day at the Spa
Third Place
Nancy Roberts, 85, Community Member, My Leaf Garden

Painting (Acrylic)
Paintings on canvas or paper using acrylic paints.

First Place
Scherry Johnson, 79, Community Member, Night Shade #2
Second Place
Carolyn Knudsen, 71, CC Young Resident, Self-Portrait
Third Place
Alberto Boisse, 63, Community Member, Shepherd

Painting (Oil & Oil Pastel)
Paintings on canvas or paper using oil paints or oil pastels.

First Place
John Ellis, 64, CC Young Resident, Sunrise White Rock Lake
Second Place
Pattie Gooch, 77, CC Young Resident, Whispers in Azure
Third Place
Brigitte Able, 81, Community Member, Lost Dreams

Painting (Watercolor)
Paintings on canvas or paper using watercolor paints.

First Place
John Ellis, 64, CC Young Resident, Jon
Second Place
Pam Williamson, 68, Community Member, Sunset over Venice
Third Place
Walt Davis, 82, CC Young Resident, Sentinel

Photography
Printed images captured by a traditional camera or mobile device.

First Place
Lawrence Maupin, 67, Point Member, Morning Reflection
Second Place
Lawrence Maupin, 67, Point Member, Sunny Dewdrops
Third Place
Jill Hennegan, 74, Point Member, Where Are We Going, Momma?

Soft Crafts (Quilts & Blankets)
Large quilted or blanketed textile art.

First Place
Margaret Williams, 66, CC Young Resident, Everyday Best
Second Place
Isabel Davis, 82, CC Young Resident, Spring Fling
Third Place
Eliane Bailey, 86, CC Young Resident, The Nile

Soft Crafts (Other)
Includes items crafted through techniques like crocheting, knitting, weaving, tatting, needlework, embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlepoint.

First Place
Eliane Bailey, 80, CC Young Resident, La Laitiere
Second Place
Pattie Gooch, 77, CC Young Resident, Night Floral
Third Place
Rebie Nicholson, 70, CC Young Resident, Bouquet of Spring

Writing Categories

Poetry & Prose
Verse writing, including but not limited to prose poetry, free verse, formal poetry,
and song lyrics.

First Place
Richard Jacobi, 92, CC Young Resident, Circle of Life
Second Place
Lorlee Bartos, 78, Community Member, Gotcha
Third Place
Richard Jacobi, 92, CC Young Resident, The Redemption of Timmie Jack

Personal Essay & Short Story
Includes short stories, novellas, and scripts.

First Place
Mary Gilhooly, 90, CC Young Resident, The Forever Child
Second Place
Barbara Alliod, 69, Community Member, Shadow
Third Place
Mary Gilhooly, 90, CC Young Resident, A Night Best Forgot

Other Special Honors

Best in Show Writing

Barbara Alliod, 69, Community Member

Best in Show Writing

Mary Gilhooly, 90, CC Young Resident

Best in Show Art

John Ellis, 64, CC Young Resident

Best in Show Art

Scherry Johnson, 79, Community Member

Ageless Creativity Award

Anita Hullum, 100, CC Young Resident