Each year, Country Meadows spreads holiday cheer by sharing our residents’ talents.
Now in its fifth year, Country Meadows is celebrating art submitted for the organization’s annual Holiday Card Art Contest. The competition invites residents to submit works of art reflecting the winter holidays and/or the beauty of the holiday season. The winning entry is used for Country Meadows’ annual holiday card.
“Almost Ready for the Holidays” by York resident Jack Hyde, was chosen as the winner.
A record number of entries were received—more than 150. Typically the number of entries averages around 80 pieces of art which made this year’s contest a fierce competition. Ultimately Jack Hyde, a resident at the York campus, took top honors for the second year in a row.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so honored,” he said when told about his victory.
A Country Meadows resident since 2007, Hyde’s first foray into art was a class taught by a co-worker at Country Meadows. “She got me hooked,” he recalls. Now painting is a regular part of his day. “I find painting very relaxing.”
To encourage residents to enter, Community Life teams at every campus held special events including Christmas in July, art classes and art shows.
Members of the Leader family, who own Country Meadows, are charged with choosing one winner and 10 finalist entries. Facing an uphill battle selecting from the numerous entries, President & CEO Michael Leader and his sister, Jane Leader Janeczek, met in a conference room filled with beautiful paintings, photo collages, felt artwork and cross stitch to select the winners.
“It is wonderful to see that so many of our residents participate in hobbies like painting and other artwork,” notes Leader. “Really, any one of the entries would make a beautiful holiday card. We spent a lot of time admiring every entry.”
In addition to cards, the winning and finalist entries are featured on a holiday poster displayed at every campus. Residents are encouraged to start work on their 2017 entries.