SAN ANTONIO -- The Salvation Army's senior art program is gearing up for an art show honoring veterans.
KENS 5 stopped by the class to find out how these senior citizens turned into real artists.
Dozens of hand-painted beautiful works of art can be found hanging on the walls of the Salvation Army's Center for Hope. Most may look like the work of a professional artist but the canvases were painted by senior citizens.
Some are amateurs others, but other, like Victor Tello, have years of experience. The 72-year-old starting painting at the age of 12.
"l was painting on paper plates," said Tello. "It was a lot of fun." Years later, he's still painting, and now mentors fellow artists in the senior art program at Salvation Army's Center for Hope every Tuesday.
Initially, Tello said he wasn't thrilled about joining the program. "I didn't want to come, I told him there's nothing but old people," Tello said with chuckle. "I wasn't looking at myself."
He quickly changed his tune and became a regular.
Lilly Baltazar, a fellow artist, started the senior art program 5 years ago. "I saw that there were a lot of seniors in need of something to do," said Baltazar. "I thought the class would help them uplift their spirits."
Over the years the art program has gained in popularity. A number of folks in their twilight years are regularly expressing their creativity on canvas.
As for Tello, he can be found at the center on Tuesdays and every other day painting for hours on end. "It's my hand It won't stop working." said Tello.
Soon his work, and the works of the other new-found artists, will be on display at the Portraits of Patriots Art show in November. The show's theme is military and will honor veterans.
The Salvation Army is asking anyone who wants one of of the senior artists to paint a portrait of one of their loved ones (past or present military, dead or living) to call the center at 210-352-2000.
They're asking for a minimum donation of $200 to The Salvation Army's Senior Services Program, plus a tip to the artist who paints their portrait.
Those who attend the art show will also have a chance to purchase some of the works at the kick-off reception.
The art show will be held Tuesday Nov 3 at Patriots Casa on the TAMU-San Antonio campus for an opening night reception.
The artwork will be on display for the general public through most of November to coincide with Veteran's Day.
