It's never too late to let your artistic side shine in the spotlight. That's the goal of the Senior Art Program currently underway in Tamaqua.

The Tamaqua Community Art Center has partnered with the Tamaqua Majestic House, ABC High Rise and Salvation Army's Older and Bolder group to bring art to the senior citizens of Tamaqua. Over a five-week period, participants will learn more about the arts by working with different artists on a variety of projects.Each artist will spend two days at the high-rise, working with a group of 30 seniors.The program beganTuesday and will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the high-rise for the next five weeks.Lunch is being provided through the generosity of several Tamaqua area restaurants.Projects include: fiber art necklaces and bowls created from felt and taught by Kim Tanzos of Northampton; papermaking/collage using wrapping paper or colored paper remnants and string, taught by Claire Marcus of Bethlehem; landscape painting, taught by Michael Pyrdsa of New Ringgold; and creative writing, taught by Marilyn Hazleton of Allentown. During the final week's sessions, project coordinator Kathy Odorizzi will help the group prepare to exhibit their work.In addition to Odorizzi, the program has been coordinated by Leona Rega, art center coordinator; Dina Depos, Older and Bolder coordinator; Deann Breiner of the Tamaqua ABC High Rise; and Sandy Davis of the Majestic House.Made possible by a grant from the Berks Art Council, through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Program in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, the program has also received tremendous support from the local business community. Financial and lunch donations have been made by Dr. Joanne Calabrese, Dan and Dr. Becky Odorizzi, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Tamaqua Subway, Basile's Italian Delight Restaurant, Tommy's Italian Specialty Shop, Heisler's Cloverleaf Dairy, Independent Living Services, La Dolce Casa, Stadium Hill Cafe, the Dog Hause, Dunkin' Donuts and Boyer's Food Market."The Senior Art Program is one way the Tamaqua Community Art Center is expanding and developing relationships in our community," Odorizzi said."Throughout the five weeks of the program, we hope the seniors have a fun and meaningful experience creating art with their peers. We hope they continue their participation in the arts, either creating art or attending art performances at the TCAC and at other art venues in our area. The Senior Art Program is a wonderful example of community collaboration. We wish to thank everyone who has worked on the program and who has made donations."An art exhibit displaying the works of the senior artists will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 12 at the art center, 125 Pine St. in Tamaqua.