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Let it Shine!

An exhibition of abstract artwork created by older adults in the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program facilitated by Goddard House at Mount Pleasant Home in Jamaica Plain.

Creativity Meets Collaboration

The background of this piece is made up of the colors green, yellow, blue, and red. The outer edges are mainly red while the inside is a mixture of all the colors. Painted over this background is black paint. In some spots there are large sections of it and in others there are small lines of paint running parallel to each other. In the center of the piece runs a vertical line from the top to the bottom of the piece. On some of these sections of the black paint is silver glitter.
Pretty, 2021, Betty White

Welcome to the transformative and vibrant fusion of shapes, colors and textures represented in the "Let It Shine!" exhibition – a collection of abstract artwork created by older adults in the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) in the Community program facilitated by Goddard House at Mount Pleasant Home in Jamaica Plain.

This virtual exhibition is a collaboration between Goddard House and Lesley University, whose Expressive Therapy graduate students have been vital contributors to the Goddard House arts programming for 25 years.

The vivid artwork and eloquent voices of the artists, and the thoughtful quotes from Lesley alumni bring to life the creative and community-building impact of OMA. 

We invite you to view this virtual exhibition showcasing the remarkable creative capacity of older adults.

  • What is Opening Minds through Art (OMA)?

    Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational, abstract art-making program for older adults. The goal of OMA is to challenge assumptions and build respect and genuine connections between older adults and student interns and other volunteers as they come together through artmaking. OMA demonstrates that older adults across a wide spectrum of physical and cognitive challenges (and strengths) are highly capable of demonstrating their creativity through art.

  • Goddard House and Lesley University – 25 Years of Collaboration

    Goddard House has been a training site for Lesley University Art and Expressive Therapies graduate student interns since the not-for-profit assisted living community opened its doors in 1997. Opening Minds through Art (OMA) became a core addition to art programming at Goddard House in 2016 and was joined by a music therapy cohort, a team of four students overseen by a Lesley faculty member on site. 

    In 2021-22, Goddard House Community Initiatives piloted OMA in the Community at Mount Pleasant Home in Jamaica Plain, MA.  Over the past year, the OMA team of facilitators and volunteers included three Lesley graduates from the Art and Expressive Therapies Master’s Program: Silvina Ibanez, Ginny Mazur and Isabelle Olsson.

    In fall of 2022, a new cohort of Lesley Art Therapy graduate student interns will participate in the OMA in the Community Program for the full academic year, broadening the base of training and collaboration between Lesley University and Goddard House.

Launch Gallery
Learn about OMA ...and Meet the Artists, Facilitators and Interns
Image of colorful watercolor paint palettes with white stripe across center featuring the Goddard House and OMA logos that read "Goddard House" and "Scripps OMA: Opening Minds Through Art"
Slide 1 of 1
Opening Minds Through Art Video
Image of colorful watercolor paint palettes with white stripe across center featuring the Goddard House and OMA logos that read "Goddard House" and "Scripps OMA: Opening Minds Through Art"
Slide 1 of 1
Opening Minds Through Art Video
Launch Gallery
Magic Dot Paintings - OMA Exhibit
Painting: The background is made up of several different colors including green, orange, red, and yellow. Painted on top of this background are a few long streaks of paint going vertically from the top to the bottom in the colors black and green. There are smaller streaks of paint surrounding this in the colors green, yellow, brown, and blue. On the paint, in some spots, is silver and pink glitter.
Slide 1 of 9
Lanny Johnson
Cat at Play, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: In the background, slightly off-center to the right is a small red blob. This is surrounded by a larger area of orange paint. The outer area is surrounded by green paint. Painted on this background are four large red circles which have slightly smaller dark purple circles painted on top of them. These circles have silver glitter on them. In each corner are painted purple circles of the same size. Some have glitter on them. Around the rest of the piece are many small grey circles and a few purple
Slide 2 of 9
Faye Jones
Eight Ball, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is red on the outer edges and blue and white in the center. Over top of this background are splotches of pain int different, shapes, size, and color. Most are somewhat circular in shape, but others are longer, thin strips of paint. Some of these shapes overlap each other. The colors are yellow, brown, and navy blue. All these shapes have varying amounts of blue glitter on them.
Slide 3 of 9
Delory Williams
My Washboard Art, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is white with faint hints of light blue and purple. Painted on this background are circles of various sizes in the colors silver, green, blue, and red. The green, blue, and silver circles are all about the same sizes. The red ones are much smaller and are scattered around and in between the other circles. All the circles have various amounts of gold glitter on them. On the far-right side of the piece are two small splotches of yellow paint.
Slide 4 of 9
Lydia Quinterra
Champagne Bubbles, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is completely pink and purple which are mixed together in various places. There are several circles painted on top of this background in the colors grey and blue. The grey circles are much larger than the blue ones. Additionally, there are a few circles made up of entirely gold glitter glue. The grey circles have pink glitter on it and the blue ones have silver glitter on them.
Slide 5 of 9
Kim Williams
Untitled, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: A background of the colors blue, pink, orange, and purple, from the top of the piece the colors have run down over the other colors. Painted on top of this are many circles out of the colors orange, brown, and yellow.
Slide 6 of 9
Judy Esch
Rainy Day in a French Movie, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is various colors mixed around each other with the colors light green, orange, yellow, and pink. Some of the colors in the background seep into each other. On top of this background are several splotches of blue, mustard yellow, and brown paint. Some of the splotches are dark and distinct and others are lighter. All the splotches have pink glitter on them in varying amounts.
Slide 7 of 9
Davey Fitzgerald
The Blob, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is segmented into different colors including light green, red, yellow, orange and pink. Painted on top of this background are circle in the colors purple, grey, and orange. Most of the purple circles are slightly larger than the others. The circles all have various amounts of pink glitter on them. In between and around the border of the circles are splotches of green paint which also have the glitter on them.
Slide 8 of 9
Ed Jacobson
CON-GLO, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: In the background, slightly off-center to the right is a small red blob. This is surrounded by a larger area of orange paint. The outer area is surrounded by green paint. Painted on this background are four large red circles which have slightly smaller dark purple circles painted on top of them. These circles have silver glitter on them. In each corner are painted purple circles of the same size. Some have glitter on them. Around the rest of the piece are many small grey circles and a few purple a
Slide 9 of 9
Ann Schlosberg
Happy Days, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is made up of several different colors including green, orange, red, and yellow. Painted on top of this background are a few long streaks of paint going vertically from the top to the bottom in the colors black and green. There are smaller streaks of paint surrounding this in the colors green, yellow, brown, and blue. On the paint, in some spots, is silver and pink glitter.
Slide 1 of 9
Lanny Johnson
Cat at Play, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: In the background, slightly off-center to the right is a small red blob. This is surrounded by a larger area of orange paint. The outer area is surrounded by green paint. Painted on this background are four large red circles which have slightly smaller dark purple circles painted on top of them. These circles have silver glitter on them. In each corner are painted purple circles of the same size. Some have glitter on them. Around the rest of the piece are many small grey circles and a few purple
Slide 2 of 9
Faye Jones
Eight Ball, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is red on the outer edges and blue and white in the center. Over top of this background are splotches of pain int different, shapes, size, and color. Most are somewhat circular in shape, but others are longer, thin strips of paint. Some of these shapes overlap each other. The colors are yellow, brown, and navy blue. All these shapes have varying amounts of blue glitter on them.
Slide 3 of 9
Delory Williams
My Washboard Art, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is white with faint hints of light blue and purple. Painted on this background are circles of various sizes in the colors silver, green, blue, and red. The green, blue, and silver circles are all about the same sizes. The red ones are much smaller and are scattered around and in between the other circles. All the circles have various amounts of gold glitter on them. On the far-right side of the piece are two small splotches of yellow paint.
Slide 4 of 9
Lydia Quinterra
Champagne Bubbles, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is completely pink and purple which are mixed together in various places. There are several circles painted on top of this background in the colors grey and blue. The grey circles are much larger than the blue ones. Additionally, there are a few circles made up of entirely gold glitter glue. The grey circles have pink glitter on it and the blue ones have silver glitter on them.
Slide 5 of 9
Kim Williams
Untitled, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: A background of the colors blue, pink, orange, and purple, from the top of the piece the colors have run down over the other colors. Painted on top of this are many circles out of the colors orange, brown, and yellow.
Slide 6 of 9
Judy Esch
Rainy Day in a French Movie, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is various colors mixed around each other with the colors light green, orange, yellow, and pink. Some of the colors in the background seep into each other. On top of this background are several splotches of blue, mustard yellow, and brown paint. Some of the splotches are dark and distinct and others are lighter. All the splotches have pink glitter on them in varying amounts.
Slide 7 of 9
Davey Fitzgerald
The Blob, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is segmented into different colors including light green, red, yellow, orange and pink. Painted on top of this background are circle in the colors purple, grey, and orange. Most of the purple circles are slightly larger than the others. The circles all have various amounts of pink glitter on them. In between and around the border of the circles are splotches of green paint which also have the glitter on them.
Slide 8 of 9
Ed Jacobson
CON-GLO, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: In the background, slightly off-center to the right is a small red blob. This is surrounded by a larger area of orange paint. The outer area is surrounded by green paint. Painted on this background are four large red circles which have slightly smaller dark purple circles painted on top of them. These circles have silver glitter on them. In each corner are painted purple circles of the same size. Some have glitter on them. Around the rest of the piece are many small grey circles and a few purple a
Slide 9 of 9
Ann Schlosberg
Happy Days, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Launch Gallery
Crinkle Foil Paintings - OMA Exhibit
Mixed Media: The background of this piece is made up of three colors green, red, and orange. The green starts in the top left corner and extends down from there, cutting off diagonally about a 3rd of the way down. The red starts there and goes another 3rd down. The orange takes up the rest of the piece extending to the bottom right corner. Painted on top oc this background are splatters of dark purple paint that create long, thin strips of color. On top of this are blotted splotches of grey paint.
Slide 1 of 5
John Kelly
Summer Solstice, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Painting: The background is made up of the colors blue, pink, and purple. Painted over top of this are splotches of paint in the colors green, yellow, and purple. At the bottom of the piece the splotches are large taking up almost all the space, as they move up to the top they become smaller and more scattered. The colors are all mixed in some spots and distinctly separated in others.
Slide 2 of 5
Judy Esch
Map, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is mainly pink, down the center of the piece is a zig zag line of blue and purple paint that cuts through the pink background color. Painted over top of this in the bottom right corner is a larger splotch of paint of the colors green, red, and navy blue. This splotch extends from the corner but becomes more spread out. Above this in the top half of the piece are small streaks of the came colors adding in gold to the mix. In the top left corner is another larger splotch of paint whic
Slide 3 of 5
Olivia O'Neill
Medley, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background of this piece is made up of the colors yellow and blue. It is mainly yellow, but the blue cuts across in wave like patterns. Painted over top of this in several shapes and sizes are splotches of paint that are in a few different shades of pink and purple. Some are large splotches and others are thinner lines.
Slide 4 of 5
Cheryl Saunders
Very Happy, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Mixed Media: The background of this piece is made up of green and blue. The colors are mixed in some spots and more distinct in others. Painted over top of this are lines of purple paint, they mix around with each other to create an overlapped effect. In some spots there is purple glitter on the purple paint.
Slide 5 of 5
Lydia Quinterra
Beautiful, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Mixed Media: The background of this piece is made up of three colors green, red, and orange. The green starts in the top left corner and extends down from there, cutting off diagonally about a 3rd of the way down. The red starts there and goes another 3rd down. The orange takes up the rest of the piece extending to the bottom right corner. Painted on top oc this background are splatters of dark purple paint that create long, thin strips of color. On top of this are blotted splotches of grey paint.
Slide 1 of 5
John Kelly
Summer Solstice, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Painting: The background is made up of the colors blue, pink, and purple. Painted over top of this are splotches of paint in the colors green, yellow, and purple. At the bottom of the piece the splotches are large taking up almost all the space, as they move up to the top they become smaller and more scattered. The colors are all mixed in some spots and distinctly separated in others.
Slide 2 of 5
Judy Esch
Map, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background is mainly pink, down the center of the piece is a zig zag line of blue and purple paint that cuts through the pink background color. Painted over top of this in the bottom right corner is a larger splotch of paint of the colors green, red, and navy blue. This splotch extends from the corner but becomes more spread out. Above this in the top half of the piece are small streaks of the came colors adding in gold to the mix. In the top left corner is another larger splotch of paint whic
Slide 3 of 5
Olivia O'Neill
Medley, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Painting: The background of this piece is made up of the colors yellow and blue. It is mainly yellow, but the blue cuts across in wave like patterns. Painted over top of this in several shapes and sizes are splotches of paint that are in a few different shades of pink and purple. Some are large splotches and others are thinner lines.
Slide 4 of 5
Cheryl Saunders
Very Happy, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Mixed Media: The background of this piece is made up of green and blue. The colors are mixed in some spots and more distinct in others. Painted over top of this are lines of purple paint, they mix around with each other to create an overlapped effect. In some spots there is purple glitter on the purple paint.
Slide 5 of 5
Lydia Quinterra
Beautiful, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"

“The steps of the OMA process are like notes on the scale. We learn and practice them, and from there we improvise and let our artistic imagination be expressed.  There’s both a sense of wonder and growing confidence in one’s abilities, every time we gather and sit down to make art.”  

- Ginny Mazur, '85, LMHC, ATR, Goddard House OMA Facilitator

"Each OMA session is a celebration of creativity. No matter if the participating artists have previous experience with the arts, OMA invites people of all abilities and backgrounds to awaken the inner creator and shine."

- Silvina Ibañez, '21, Goddard House OMA Facilitator

Launch Gallery
Tissue Paper Work - OMA Exhibit
The background of this piece is yellow in the top half and green in the bottom half with orange splotches scattered throughout. Overlayed on top of this are leaves and flowers of various shapes and sizes. Overtop of them is a thin translucent layer. In the bottom left corner is some light blue glitter.
Slide 1 of 6
Ed Jacobson
Luminescence, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
A background of several colors including orange, red, green, and yellow. Overlayed on this background are several different shapes and sizes of leaves and flowers. Overtop of them is a thin transparent silver tinted layer. Additionally, there is purple glittered scattered across the whole piece.
Slide 2 of 6
Maria Carrasco
Revelation Colors, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece has several leaves of different sizes and shapes on a pink and green background. The leaves are painted over with silver and gold. The piece also has gold glitter on it.
Slide 3 of 6
Tia Hurley
In a Forest with the Animals, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
A background of mainly pink and blue with green and orange also mixed in. Overlaid on top of this background are several pieces of fabric all connected by a string that loops around through the center of the piece. All the fabric is painted with vibrant blue, yellow, and purple colors and the various sections line the edge of this piece. The fabrics in clue mesh, cheesecloth, and thing stringy textures.
Slide 4 of 6
Lydia Quintera
Aquarela, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The colors are mostly blue/teal with yellow and red mixed in. In the center there is a larger splotch of blue that extends from the top of the piece to the bottom. Almost exactly in the center, slightly to the left, is a piece of fishnet that has been folded over onto itself. Around the fishnet are three additional pieces of cut cloth with holes. The materials are all connected by string which extends up the center of the piece. All the material has been painted over to match the background.
Slide 5 of 6
Olivia O'Neill
Biting the Whales Head, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Areas of colored tissue paper pink, both light and dark, turquoise, navy blue, orange, and purple are arranged overlapping across the piece with the tissues appearing textured in some areas. There is silver glitter scattered across the piece.
Slide 6 of 6
Cheryl Saunders
All in One, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background of this piece is yellow in the top half and green in the bottom half with orange splotches scattered throughout. Overlayed on top of this are leaves and flowers of various shapes and sizes. Overtop of them is a thin translucent layer. In the bottom left corner is some light blue glitter.
Slide 1 of 6
Ed Jacobson
Luminescence, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
A background of several colors including orange, red, green, and yellow. Overlayed on this background are several different shapes and sizes of leaves and flowers. Overtop of them is a thin transparent silver tinted layer. Additionally, there is purple glittered scattered across the whole piece.
Slide 2 of 6
Maria Carrasco
Revelation Colors, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece has several leaves of different sizes and shapes on a pink and green background. The leaves are painted over with silver and gold. The piece also has gold glitter on it.
Slide 3 of 6
Tia Hurley
In a Forest with the Animals, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
A background of mainly pink and blue with green and orange also mixed in. Overlaid on top of this background are several pieces of fabric all connected by a string that loops around through the center of the piece. All the fabric is painted with vibrant blue, yellow, and purple colors and the various sections line the edge of this piece. The fabrics in clue mesh, cheesecloth, and thing stringy textures.
Slide 4 of 6
Lydia Quintera
Aquarela, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The colors are mostly blue/teal with yellow and red mixed in. In the center there is a larger splotch of blue that extends from the top of the piece to the bottom. Almost exactly in the center, slightly to the left, is a piece of fishnet that has been folded over onto itself. Around the fishnet are three additional pieces of cut cloth with holes. The materials are all connected by string which extends up the center of the piece. All the material has been painted over to match the background.
Slide 5 of 6
Olivia O'Neill
Biting the Whales Head, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Areas of colored tissue paper pink, both light and dark, turquoise, navy blue, orange, and purple are arranged overlapping across the piece with the tissues appearing textured in some areas. There is silver glitter scattered across the piece.
Slide 6 of 6
Cheryl Saunders
All in One, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
Launch Gallery
Marbling/Yupo OMA Art
On a white background are the colors pink and purple. They are painted in large splotches where they slightly mix and overlap around the edges. In some spots, the white background shows through. Painted over this are several lines of white paint running both horizontally and vertically.
Slide 1 of 8
Ed Jacobson
Heavenly Comets, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is made up of the colors green, orange, and blue. The bottom of the piece is mainly green and orange, but as it moves up the blue is mixed in as well. Over top of this is painted small streaks of shimmery orange paint.
Slide 2 of 8
Kinuko Pearce
Sea World, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
This piece is abstract with three colors, green, blue and yellow. They are quite distinct in most sections but are mixed in others. The colors are in large splotches that are intertwined with one another. In the center of the piece there is a large section that appears to have had something pressed into the paint to create a very abstract pattern of thin lines and splotches.
Slide 3 of 8
Tia Hurley
My Friend Joey, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The piece is made up of the colors pink, purple, and blue. The colors blend together in areas. The piece is textured with lines creating many small lines and abstract shapes on the surface.
Slide 4 of 8
Tia Hurley, Lanny Johnson, Kinuko Pearce
Wanna Dance?, 2021, Mixed Media, 18"x24"
This piece has a blue background. The blue is marbled lightly on the paper with many gaps and holes that show the white background through it. Marbled over this are thin streaks of green and yellow paint.
Slide 5 of 8
Cheryl Saunders
Spring, 2021, Mixed Media, 18"x24"
This piece is made up of several colors all marbled together. The colors are blue, yellow, and green. The outer edges are much more blue and the center is much more green and yellow. On top of these colors are splotches of pink paint.
Slide 6 of 8
Lydia Quintera
My Dream, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The background of this piece is made up of several colors: blue, yellow, green, and orange. These colors are swirled and marbled together. On top of this are dots of purple and pink paint. Each dot contains both colors that overlap with each other. On these dots is gold glitter.
Slide 7 of 8
Cheryl Saunders
Spring Shine, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of several colors marbled on the page creating intricate swirls. The colors are red, yellow, green, purple, and blue. In some spots there is silver glitter.
Slide 8 of 8
Judy Esch
Colorful Vines 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
On a white background are the colors pink and purple. They are painted in large splotches where they slightly mix and overlap around the edges. In some spots, the white background shows through. Painted over this are several lines of white paint running both horizontally and vertically.
Slide 1 of 8
Ed Jacobson
Heavenly Comets, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
The background is made up of the colors green, orange, and blue. The bottom of the piece is mainly green and orange, but as it moves up the blue is mixed in as well. Over top of this is painted small streaks of shimmery orange paint.
Slide 2 of 8
Kinuko Pearce
Sea World, 2021, Mixed Media, 6"x9"
This piece is abstract with three colors, green, blue and yellow. They are quite distinct in most sections but are mixed in others. The colors are in large splotches that are intertwined with one another. In the center of the piece there is a large section that appears to have had something pressed into the paint to create a very abstract pattern of thin lines and splotches.
Slide 3 of 8
Tia Hurley
My Friend Joey, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The piece is made up of the colors pink, purple, and blue. The colors blend together in areas. The piece is textured with lines creating many small lines and abstract shapes on the surface.
Slide 4 of 8
Tia Hurley, Lanny Johnson, Kinuko Pearce
Wanna Dance?, 2021, Mixed Media, 18"x24"
This piece has a blue background. The blue is marbled lightly on the paper with many gaps and holes that show the white background through it. Marbled over this are thin streaks of green and yellow paint.
Slide 5 of 8
Cheryl Saunders
Spring, 2021, Mixed Media, 18"x24"
This piece is made up of several colors all marbled together. The colors are blue, yellow, and green. The outer edges are much more blue and the center is much more green and yellow. On top of these colors are splotches of pink paint.
Slide 6 of 8
Lydia Quintera
My Dream, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The background of this piece is made up of several colors: blue, yellow, green, and orange. These colors are swirled and marbled together. On top of this are dots of purple and pink paint. Each dot contains both colors that overlap with each other. On these dots is gold glitter.
Slide 7 of 8
Cheryl Saunders
Spring Shine, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of several colors marbled on the page creating intricate swirls. The colors are red, yellow, green, purple, and blue. In some spots there is silver glitter.
Slide 8 of 8
Judy Esch
Colorful Vines 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Launch Gallery
Yupo - OMA Exhibit
On a circular white piece of paper are the colors green and orange. They are painted in splotches of color that mix in some spots and are distinct in others. There are several gaps between these splotches where the white paper can be seen.
Slide 1 of 7
Ed Jacobson
Profusion, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular white piece of paper, are the colors orange, purple, and pink. They are mixed in many places and in some spots run together to create a drip like effect. Around the edged can be seen some of the white paper.
Slide 2 of 7
Ed Jacobson
Sunny Stalactites, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular piece of paper, are the colors orange, blue, pink, and purple. They are all mixed and running together to create some lighter and darker shades of the colors.
Slide 3 of 7
John Kelly
Burst of Color, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular piece of paper are painted the colors maroon and red and pink. Around the edges is the maroon color and closer to the center is the pink color. At the top of the piece there are slight green accents. Over the pink and maroon colors in some spots is white drawn on in lines and splotches.
Slide 4 of 7
Cheryl Saunders
Confusion, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
This piece is made up of two colors, pink and green. They are mixed in an abstract way, almost as if someone took both colors and swept them quickly across the page. At the top of the piece there is quite a large section of green with some pink mixed in. The other parts of the piece are mainly pink with some green mixed in.
Slide 5 of 7
Judy Esch
Serene, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of orange, green, and brown. At the top of the piece is a larger section of orange. Painted over this is the brown color which has a large hole in it through which the orange can be seen. This color drips down into the center of the piece in some places. The bottom half of the piece is made up of the green color. The colors vary in tone from dark to light. At the bottom right are two circles which are lighter in the middle and darker around the edges.
Slide 6 of 7
Cheryl Saunders
Fire in the Sky, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of just two colors on a white background. There are large sections of bright pink and bright purple. The center of the piece has three large sections of pink with some purple running in between it. At the bottom of the piece is another larger section of pink. Most of the rest of the piece is purple.
Slide 7 of 7
Judy Esch
Colorful Fringes, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
On a circular white piece of paper are the colors green and orange. They are painted in splotches of color that mix in some spots and are distinct in others. There are several gaps between these splotches where the white paper can be seen.
Slide 1 of 7
Ed Jacobson
Profusion, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular white piece of paper, are the colors orange, purple, and pink. They are mixed in many places and in some spots run together to create a drip like effect. Around the edged can be seen some of the white paper.
Slide 2 of 7
Ed Jacobson
Sunny Stalactites, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular piece of paper, are the colors orange, blue, pink, and purple. They are all mixed and running together to create some lighter and darker shades of the colors.
Slide 3 of 7
John Kelly
Burst of Color, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
On a circular piece of paper are painted the colors maroon and red and pink. Around the edges is the maroon color and closer to the center is the pink color. At the top of the piece there are slight green accents. Over the pink and maroon colors in some spots is white drawn on in lines and splotches.
Slide 4 of 7
Cheryl Saunders
Confusion, 2021, Mixed Media, 8"
This piece is made up of two colors, pink and green. They are mixed in an abstract way, almost as if someone took both colors and swept them quickly across the page. At the top of the piece there is quite a large section of green with some pink mixed in. The other parts of the piece are mainly pink with some green mixed in.
Slide 5 of 7
Judy Esch
Serene, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of orange, green, and brown. At the top of the piece is a larger section of orange. Painted over this is the brown color which has a large hole in it through which the orange can be seen. This color drips down into the center of the piece in some places. The bottom half of the piece is made up of the green color. The colors vary in tone from dark to light. At the bottom right are two circles which are lighter in the middle and darker around the edges.
Slide 6 of 7
Cheryl Saunders
Fire in the Sky, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of just two colors on a white background. There are large sections of bright pink and bright purple. The center of the piece has three large sections of pink with some purple running in between it. At the bottom of the piece is another larger section of pink. Most of the rest of the piece is purple.
Slide 7 of 7
Judy Esch
Colorful Fringes, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"

“OMA provides its artists with a place to come together and explore the inner world of imagination. The process reveals a natural resonance with the mind and soul which can be felt in the room.” 

- Laura Newbold, '87, Goddard House OMA Facilitator

“OMA provides a safe, caring, and creative platform for older adults to express their personalities with color, texture, pattern and thoughtfulness. Their joy and excitement is such a gift to witness. Older adults are capable of so much more than society and even they, themselves recognize!”

- Sarina Van Zyl, '17, LMHC, Former Goddard House Intern 

Launch Gallery
Misc - OMA Exhibit
The background of this piece is painted with the colors yellow and green, for most of the piece these colors are completely mixed, creating a dark blue color, on the edges there are some spots where the yellow and green can be shown. Overlayed on this background are scraps of paper and fabric with abstract patterns on them. Some of the patterns are floral. Some of the fabric is a solid color with no pattern, there are white and dark blue pieces. All these scraps of paper and fabric are overlayed on top.
Slide 1 of 5
John Kelly
Jumbalaya, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of several different sections of patterns. Some are made of paper and others are made of fabric. The patterns are mainly abstract, but some are floral patterns. Overlayed on some of these patterns are pieces of solid colored fabric in the colors dark blue and beige. The border of this piece is gold with some of the patterns showing through in certain spots.
Slide 2 of 5
Douglas Johnson
Blossom, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This painting has an outer edge of purple this purple also extends down the center of the piece. On each side of the purple center is a section with the colors turquoise and red. On top of these sections is black paint in thin lines that run parallel to each other. Down the center of the purple is a line made of red paint this line has gold glitter on it.
Slide 3 of 5
Betty White
Pretty, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The background of this piece is made up of the colors green, yellow, blue, and red. The outer edges are mainly red while the inside is a mixture of all the colors. Painted over this background is black paint. In some spots there are large sections of it and in others there are small lines of paint running parallel to each other. In the center of the piece runs a vertical line from the top to the bottom of the piece. On some of these sections of the black paint is silver glitter.
Slide 4 of 5
Douglas Johnson
A Puzzle, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The colors of this piece are green, light orange, dark orange, red, pink, and yellow. They are painted in distinct sections throughout the piece with some small places where they mix. Some of these sections are separated by lines of black paint while others run together.
Slide 5 of 5
Tia Hurley
Crash in Autumn, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The background of this piece is painted with the colors yellow and green, for most of the piece these colors are completely mixed, creating a dark blue color, on the edges there are some spots where the yellow and green can be shown. Overlayed on this background are scraps of paper and fabric with abstract patterns on them. Some of the patterns are floral. Some of the fabric is a solid color with no pattern, there are white and dark blue pieces. All these scraps of paper and fabric are overlayed on top.
Slide 1 of 5
John Kelly
Jumbalaya, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This piece is made up of several different sections of patterns. Some are made of paper and others are made of fabric. The patterns are mainly abstract, but some are floral patterns. Overlayed on some of these patterns are pieces of solid colored fabric in the colors dark blue and beige. The border of this piece is gold with some of the patterns showing through in certain spots.
Slide 2 of 5
Douglas Johnson
Blossom, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
This painting has an outer edge of purple this purple also extends down the center of the piece. On each side of the purple center is a section with the colors turquoise and red. On top of these sections is black paint in thin lines that run parallel to each other. Down the center of the purple is a line made of red paint this line has gold glitter on it.
Slide 3 of 5
Betty White
Pretty, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The background of this piece is made up of the colors green, yellow, blue, and red. The outer edges are mainly red while the inside is a mixture of all the colors. Painted over this background is black paint. In some spots there are large sections of it and in others there are small lines of paint running parallel to each other. In the center of the piece runs a vertical line from the top to the bottom of the piece. On some of these sections of the black paint is silver glitter.
Slide 4 of 5
Douglas Johnson
A Puzzle, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
The colors of this piece are green, light orange, dark orange, red, pink, and yellow. They are painted in distinct sections throughout the piece with some small places where they mix. Some of these sections are separated by lines of black paint while others run together.
Slide 5 of 5
Tia Hurley
Crash in Autumn, 2021, Mixed Media, 9"x12"
Launch Gallery
Gelli Plates - OMA Exhibit
This piece is made up of several colors, purple, green and black. The background is mainly purple with some green showing through at the center of the piece. Painted of this is the black paint. The paint creates some geometric shapes, mainly circles.
Slide 1 of 3
Betty White
Betty 2, 2021, Gelli Print, 9"x12"
On a white background are two rectangles of paint. The long sides are parallel with the edge of the paper, about an inch from the edge on all sides. They also have about an inch of space between them. One is made up of an aqua color and yellow. The other is made up of orange and green. Both have many sections where there is no paint. There a lines and swirls through the paint that show the white background.
Slide 2 of 3
Douglas Johnson, Cheryl Saunders
All in One, 2021, Gelli Print, 18"x24"
On a yellow background are two rectangles of paint. The long sides are parallel with the edge of the paper, about an inch from the edge on all sides. They also have about an inch of space between them. One of the rectangles is made up of blue and pink paint that is mixed is some spots to make purple. The other is mainly made up of green, but some blue and red can also be seen. Both rectangles have large sections of scratches through them that create lines which make the yellow background visible.
Slide 3 of 3
John Kelly, Olivia O'Neill
Jambalaya, 2021, Gelli Print, 18"x24"
This piece is made up of several colors, purple, green and black. The background is mainly purple with some green showing through at the center of the piece. Painted of this is the black paint. The paint creates some geometric shapes, mainly circles.
Slide 1 of 3
Betty White
Betty 2, 2021, Gelli Print, 9"x12"
On a white background are two rectangles of paint. The long sides are parallel with the edge of the paper, about an inch from the edge on all sides. They also have about an inch of space between them. One is made up of an aqua color and yellow. The other is made up of orange and green. Both have many sections where there is no paint. There a lines and swirls through the paint that show the white background.
Slide 2 of 3
Douglas Johnson, Cheryl Saunders
All in One, 2021, Gelli Print, 18"x24"
On a yellow background are two rectangles of paint. The long sides are parallel with the edge of the paper, about an inch from the edge on all sides. They also have about an inch of space between them. One of the rectangles is made up of blue and pink paint that is mixed is some spots to make purple. The other is mainly made up of green, but some blue and red can also be seen. Both rectangles have large sections of scratches through them that create lines which make the yellow background visible.
Slide 3 of 3
John Kelly, Olivia O'Neill
Jambalaya, 2021, Gelli Print, 18"x24"

Meet the Artists

Launch Gallery
Meet the Artists : See the OMA Artists at Mt. Pleasant Home
Photograph of artist Maria Carrasco smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 1 of 14
Maria Carrasco
Photograph of artist Judy Esch smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 2 of 14
Judy Esch
Photograph of artist Davey Fitzgerald smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 3 of 14
David "Davey" Fitzgerald
Photograph of artist Tia Hurley smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 4 of 14
Tia Hurley
Photograph of artist Ed Jacobson smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 5 of 14
Ed Jacobson
Photograph of artist Douglas Johnson smiling facing the camera holding a small green, yellow, and red abstract painting.
Slide 6 of 14
Douglas Johnson
Photograph of artist Lanny Johnson smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 7 of 14
Lanny Johnson
Photograph of artist John Kelly smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 8 of 14
John Kelly
Photograph of artist Olivia O'Neill smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 9 of 14
Olivia O'Neill
Photograph of artist Kinuko Pearce smiling facing the camera holding a small red and pink painting.
Slide 10 of 14
Kinuko Pearce
Photograph of artist Lydia Quintera smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract tissue paper collage.
Slide 11 of 14
Lydia Quintera
Photograph of artist Cheryl Saunders smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 12 of 14
Cheryl Saunders
Photograph of artist Delory Williams smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 13 of 14
Delory Williams
Photograph of artist Kim Williams smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 14 of 14
Kim Williams
Photograph of artist Maria Carrasco smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 1 of 14
Maria Carrasco
Photograph of artist Judy Esch smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 2 of 14
Judy Esch
Photograph of artist Davey Fitzgerald smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 3 of 14
David "Davey" Fitzgerald
Photograph of artist Tia Hurley smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 4 of 14
Tia Hurley
Photograph of artist Ed Jacobson smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 5 of 14
Ed Jacobson
Photograph of artist Douglas Johnson smiling facing the camera holding a small green, yellow, and red abstract painting.
Slide 6 of 14
Douglas Johnson
Photograph of artist Lanny Johnson smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 7 of 14
Lanny Johnson
Photograph of artist John Kelly smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 8 of 14
John Kelly
Photograph of artist Olivia O'Neill smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 9 of 14
Olivia O'Neill
Photograph of artist Kinuko Pearce smiling facing the camera holding a small red and pink painting.
Slide 10 of 14
Kinuko Pearce
Photograph of artist Lydia Quintera smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract tissue paper collage.
Slide 11 of 14
Lydia Quintera
Photograph of artist Cheryl Saunders smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 12 of 14
Cheryl Saunders
Photograph of artist Delory Williams smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 13 of 14
Delory Williams
Photograph of artist Kim Williams smiling facing the camera holding a small colorful abstract painting.
Slide 14 of 14
Kim Williams

About Goddard House & Mt. Pleasant Home

  • Goddard House
    Goddard House Logo, featuring two blue gables reading "Goddard House" in red letters, below it reads "Assisted Living & Memory Support"

    Goddard House embraces the aging experience for seniors living in the Boston area by operating a high-quality assisted living community and by creating innovative programs which support the need for purpose, engagement, autonomy, and choice.

  • Goddard House Community Initiatives
    Logo for featuring two gables reading "Goddard House" in red font. In smaller letters beneath reads "Enrich, Engage, Together"

    Individuality, expression, social connection and innovation are all driving forces behind Goddard House Community Initiatives, which engages diverse older adults from Greater Boston in participatory programming that includes art, music, dance and other forms of creative expression.

  • Mount Pleasant Home
    Logo reading "Mount Pleasant Home, 301 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, 02130" in green font with green ivy swirled underneath.

    Mount Pleasant Home is an independent, non-profit residential care rest home for seniors sixty-two and older, licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Mount Pleasant Home supports the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of women and men. 

     

29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.868.9600