Art as a Bridge: Ovation Communities’ Randy Crosby

Editor’s note: Randy Crosby is the Chief Administrative Officer for Ovation Communities.  ​Ovation provides a full range of services for Milwaukee seniors, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation care, traditional nursing home care, community-based services for early-onset dementia, and adult day care.  In collaboration with Ovation’s Art Committee, Crosby founded and oversees the art | ovation program which gives residents, visitors, and staff the opportunity to enjoy curated, rotating art exhibitions in several galleries. Ovation has a large permanent art collection which is thoughtfully placed  throughout its campus overlooking Lake Michigan. Recently, Randy took the time to tell us why art is so important to his community.

Mosaic by Chai Point seniors in collaboration with children from local schools.
Photo courtesy of Ovation Communities.  All rights reserved. 

​Randy Crosby:  I like to think of art as a bridge. A bridge to richer lives, to community, to opportunity

A painting by Miriam Stephen
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities and the artist.  All Rights Reserved.

Stained Glass panel by Suzanne Derzon.
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities and the artist.  All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit Hainey Photography.

A painting by Clarey Wamhoff. 
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities and the artist.  All Rights Reserved.

​This idea is reflected in Ovation Communities’ art program, art | ovation. This innovative program exhibits art from Ovation’s permanent collection, as well as loaned art from local artists and collectors. The sharing of art resonates with all Ovation stakeholders – residents, guests, employees, volunteers, donors – and inspires them to embrace life and the Ovation experience. 

A mixed media painting by Calman Shemi.
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities and the artist.  All Rights Reserved.

​For those who live and work at Ovation, art exhibitions enrich their lives on an ongoing basis. Each new exhibition not only provides an amazing aesthetic experience, but also provides a fresh springboard for discussions and social interactions. All this creates a “buzz” that energizes the whole community.

A recent exhibition featured resin sculpture by Tony Spolar of Spolar Studio.
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities and the artist.  All Rights Reserved.

Currently, Ovation Chai Point is exhibiting Duets, paintings and prints by Schomer Lichtner and Ruth Grotenrath.  Photo courtesy of Ovation and The Warehouse.  All rights reserved.

Walking Sticks from around the world from the collection of Shirley Langer. 
​Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities.  All Rights Reserved. 

For members of the broader community, art | ovation provides several  ways to get involved in Ovation life. One way is to loan art that one has collected or created, as shown with our current Duet exhibition of Schomer Lichtner and Ruth Grotenrath loaned by Jan Serr and John Shannon of The Warehouse and Guardian Fine Art Services, a recent poured resin sculpture exhibition by Tony Spolar of Spolar Studio, and a walking stick exhibition from the collection of Shirley Langer. 
Another way to get involved is to attend special events related to ​related to the exhibitions. We hope to resume our popular opening receptions in the post-COVID19 world.

Ovation hopes to resume their festive art opening receptions when conditions are safe post-COVID19.
Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities.  All Rights Reserved.

​At Ovation Communities, art holds a place of honor.  It enriches us, inspires us, and invites us to live life to the fullest.  At Ovation, art is a bridge to good things. 
 
~Randy Crosby,  November 2020

Photo Courtesy of Ovation Communities.  All Rights Reserved.