Inaugural Showcase in May Highlights 30 Works of Art Submitted by Older Pennsylvanians from across the Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts today announced that visitors to the State Capitol can now view 30 works of art created by Pennsylvanians aged 60 and older in the first-ever Older Artists of PA Showcase.
The showcase continues the partnership between PDA and the Council that emerged during the development of Aging Our Way, PA – a 10-year plan to improve the infrastructure of aging services. In 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro directed PDA to produce the plan, while his 2025-26 budget proposal includes $2 million to increase accountability and oversight of the 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the Commonwealth, and a $20 million investment for those AAAs to continue their great work.
The winning pieces were selected out of 506 entries by panels representing each of the five regions across the Commonwealth. The selected works of art are on display in the State Capitol East Wing Rotunda throughout May, which is observed nationally as Older Americans Month.
“Working collaboratively with our partners at the Council on the Arts to host this showcase in May is another example of the good work being done across the Commonwealth to support and celebrate older Pennsylvanians. While we celebrate older adults every month, Older Americans Month offers another opportunity to honor older Pennsylvanians for their contributions, for staying active, and engaged as they age. Each of the 506 pieces of art that were submitted showcase the talent and contributions older adults make in our communities,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “We invite everyone who visits the State Capitol to celebrate the creative talents of their friends, neighbors and fellow Pennsylvanians while recognizing the important contributions all older adults make every day.”
The Department and the Council will continue to collaborate to support older artists, foster intergenerational creative partnerships, and encourage inclusive social engagement opportunities across the Commonwealth as part of the plan’s implementation.
“Art and creativity are critical to the vitality of our communities, so I am delighted to see enthusiastic participation by older adults from across the Commonwealth,” said Karl Blischke, Executive Director of the PA Council on the Arts. “Seeing so many older adults take this opportunity to express their creativity underscores the fact that creativity is a universal connector. I applaud this year’s exhibit participants and celebrate their artistic accomplishments.”