Artists in Easterseal’s Adult Day Services Win Accolades

Each fall, the Antelope Valley Fair celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage, local culture and community spirit. There is music, carnival rides and traditional fairground food. There are blue-ribbon competitions for fattened pigs, baked and canned goods, quilts, prize roses and fine arts.

Simultaneously, the Palmdale Legacy Commons Senior Center holds its annual fall exhibition down on “The Boulevard,” showcasing the work of local artists. 

This year, Frank and Asusena, participants in Easterseals SoCal’s Adult Day Services (ADS) program in Lancaster—both long-time multi-media artists—not only had their work accepted into both exhibitions but each walked away with ribbons from both competitions!

“They were happy and excited,” said ADS Supervisor Rhonda Wright, who helped them submit their work. “They’ve been painting and creating art for quite a while. They just needed places to showcase it and share their work with the community.”

Carlos Guillen, director of the Lancaster ADS program, said, “They work year-round on their entries and they’re driving forces in encouraging their peers to be creative as well.”

Frank Brings a Lifelong Love of Art to Life

“I got into art when I was little, when my mom gave me paper and crayons,” Frank recalled. “I just really enjoy it.”

While he primarily enjoys painting and sketching cartoons, anime characters and superheroes, Frank noted that he took ceramics class in high school and an animation class at the Antelope Valley Regional Center, where he had an instructor who once worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons.

Frank helps out by creating illustrations for flyers that Wright makes for movie night and is providing the illustration for a book being written by fellow ADS participant Maxwell.

He hopes to one day work with studios such as Disney, DreamWorks, Marvel or perhaps Mattel. “I’m trying to get my work out there to get it noticed and am working on a portfolio,” he said.

Asusena Finds Inspiration in Nature

Asusena took art lessons when she was little and recalls painting an island, which remains a theme in her work today as she finds her inspiration in nature and enjoys painting landscapes, particularly beaches, lakes and trees.

“I was excited to get into the exhibition,” Asusena said,” about her award-winning paintings. “It’s fun to have other people see my art. I like to paint the ocean, palm trees, the beach, Hawaii and the Bahamas,” she continued. Although she has never visited those destinations, she enjoys bringing them to life through her artwork.

Asusena’s creativity extends beyond her award-winning paintings. She recently drew a portrait of each of the Lancasters ADS staff members. “Mine hangs over my desk and I look at it every day,” said Wright. “I love it!”

Additionally, Asusena makes crafts from recycled materials, including phone cases and pencil holders that she gives to friends and family as gifts. “She’s always been crafty and likes making things,” Guillen said.

Asusena also encourages others to explore their artistic sides by leading the program’s paint-and-sip activities, where participants paint together while enjoying a mocktail. Recent projects have included colorful fall trees.

Sharing Their Talents With the Community

For Frank and Asusena, seeing their artwork displayed in the community—and taking home ribbons—made this year’s exhibition especially memorable. “I hope to do more in the future,” said Asusena.

Their success is a proud moment for both artists and the Easterseals SoCal team cheering them on!

Learn more about Easterseals SoCal’s Adult Day Services.