Parcel Post: Creative Exchanges Between Older Adults in North Carolina

A project of the Center for Creative Aging - North Carolina


Sunday, April 4, 2010

Finishing touches, smiles and celebrations

The time has come!

This week marks the twelfth and final week of sessions at all six sites. To celebrate the closing of the hands-on phase of Parcel Post, there'll be parties. Finished and titled artworks on the wall for all to see, rounds of applause and cake. By the end of the week, the 66 special artworks made by all participants in this project will be headed for Greensboro in preparation for their first public exhibition in May.

But before all this happens, let's pause for a moment and think back to January ... to those blank boxes, those early moments of indecision and inspiration, and then a little later on the closing up and sending on of Art Parcels in-progress, the opening up and discoveries of new boxes, new layers, new connections. It is not just the finished artworks we are celebrating this week, but all those moments in between.

Here are a few pictures from sessions two weeks ago as participating artists put the finishing touches on their fourth Art Parcels, looking up now and then to smile. As Ruth Ingram said, 'If I'd known I was going to get my picture taken, I'd have put my teeth in!'


Patricia Clemson


Dorothy Maynor


Bill Moore


Linda Richardson


Alberta Gainey


Pat Murray

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Faces of Parcel Post - Part 3


There are still a few more people to introduce you to. These participating artists are joining us around the tables of Parcel Post, bringing their independence of spirit and sense of humour.

Please welcome Joyce Dorsett and Margaret Pittillo from UHC Ramseur.


Joyce Dorsett


Margaret Pittillo reading from her newly arrived Box Stories, with Julie Allred (center) and Becky Bowman (R).

And over at the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center meet ...

Glenda Barnes


Pat Carlson

A little more about Pat and Glenda ... Glenda makes quilts and Pat creates applique pieces. Both have promised to bring in examples of their work to share with the rest of us. Charles Mason has shared his collages and Zorada Knapp her reclaimed wall paper cards.

The group at Grace Martin is planning to attend the participating artists' reception in May, in fact they're making an overnight adventure out of it!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Faces of Parcel Post - Part 2



It's been awhile since we visited our friends at Autumn Care of Biscoe.

Now that things are back to normal there, it is high time we check in and meet the newest member of their group. Last week's session, kicking off Unit 3 was ushered in with a beautiful snow fall accompanied by Imogene's rendition of 'Let It Snow'.

Let's give a warm welcome to Bill and a big hello to everyone in Biscoe!


Bill Moore, hard at work on his new box


Willie Boddy


Larry Turner


Irene Brewer (R) in discussion with Connie Greene (L)


Sara Brown (L) working alongside Ruth Morton (R)

Monday, March 1, 2010

A Special Invitation!

All participating artists are invited to attend a reception on the occasion of the first exhibition of Parcel Post. This will be a chance to meet your fellow artists, make new friends and celebrate the curiosity, generosity and creativity that made this project possible.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:
City Arts at the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center, Greensboro
Reception for participating artists Tuesday May 18, 2-4 pm

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Week in the Life of Parcel Post: Thursday

Good morning and welcome to Thursday, the final day in our blog tour!

If you're just joining us on our tour around North Carolina, here's what we've been up to: For this whole week, we're using this blog to journey on to a new Parcel Post site each day. By following along together we can all imagine ourselves on Thursdays, joining our good friends, the participating artists in the Pitt County Senior Center as they gather for their latest session.

Thanks for coming along!

Here are some pictures from a Thursday two weeks ago when the first new boxes arrived in the mail at Pitt County.


Group Shot


Group Shot


And introducing newcomer Betty Langley

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Week in the Life of Parcel Post: Wednesday

Good morning (or 'Ola' as Amelia might say) and welcome to Wednesday!

How does the song go? If it's Tuesday this must be Rome? ... If it's Wednesday this must be Goldsboro and Washington? I'm sure the musical folks can help out with the tune. Herman? Alex? Lisa?

If you're just joining us on our wish-fulfilling journey, here's what we're up to: For this whole week, we're using this blog -and our imaginations!- to transport ourselves to a new Parcel Post site each day. By following along together we can all imagine ourselves on Wednesdays, joining our good friends, the participating artists in the Wayne County Council on Aging Memory Loss Program and Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center as they gather for their latest session.

Here are some pictures from a Wednesday two weeks ago when the first new boxes arrived in the mail at Wayne and Grace Martin.



Audrey Johnson (R) and Amelia Sanchez (L)


Liz Dawson (L), Lorraine Hodges (middle), Elnora Ward (R)


Hattie Batts


Group shot


Grace Rue


Group shot with Zorada Knapp in the foreground


Group shot


Merritt Clark (L) and Charles Mason (R)