A participant paints wooden birds in a painting class offered at the Williamstown Public Library. The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, in cooperation with Artsbridge, recently awarded a $1,600 grant to the library for senior art classes through the Artsbridge Senior Arts Fund – Ausenheimer Memorial. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG – The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, in partnership with Artsbridge, recently announced the latest recipients of funding through the Artsbridge Senior Arts Fund – Ausenheimer Memorial.

Established through the estate of Marie Ausenheimer, the fund supports charitable arts projects that enrich the lives of senior citizens throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Through this partnership, Artsbridge helps distribute funding to organizations that create meaningful opportunities for seniors to engage with the arts through creativity, education, performance, and community experiences.

The following organizations received funding during the current grant cycle:

• The Waverly Activity Center received $650 for “Creative Connections: Expanding Senior Arts Access,” a workshop series providing meaningful hands-on creative opportunities for older adults through a variety of artistic activities and experiences.

• The The O’Neill Center received $300 for “Bringing the Arts Live Through Music,” supporting their America 250 celebration featuring a live Elvis impersonator performance honoring local seniors.

• The Belpre Senior Center received funding to support its annual Murder Mystery Dinner, “Wild West Murder,” as well as a senior bus trip to Sugarcreek, Ohio, to attend the Ohio Star Theater production of “Elijah: Prophet of Fire,” including an Amish lunch buffet experience. Funding helped offset ticket costs for participants.

• The Parkersburg & Wood County Public Library received $1,600 for arts programming through the Williamstown Library branch, including the “Let It Flow” introductory watercolor class, an acrylic painting class with local artist Nicole Harris, and a wooden bird painting class designed for senior citizens.

• The Parkersburg Art Center received $1,000 for its Senior Arts Day and Senior Exhibit opening and closing events. Senior Arts Day provides free opportunities for seniors to explore a variety of art mediums while fostering creativity, social engagement, and lifelong learning. The exhibit showcases artwork created through senior programming and classes.

• The Marietta College Institute for Learning in Retirement received $600 to cover supplies for a four-week class exploring historic visual art styles, eras, and master artists. Participants recreate artistic styles as part of the educational experience.

• Artsbridge also received $70 to purchase Veterans Day signs through its community arts initiative that provides free signs for local businesses and organizations to decorate and display in honor of area veterans.

Funding through the Senior Arts Fund – Ausenheimer Memorial is available on a first-come, first-served basis starting in the fall. Additional funding opportunities will be announced following the close of the current cycle.

Artsbridge and PACF encourage local organizations, senior centers, libraries, arts groups, and community venues that offer arts and cultural activities for senior citizens to express interest in future funding opportunities.