An Olds resident is hosting an art show at Sunrise Village Encore until Dec. 15.
Elsie Bonkowski, 88, has been creating art for decades. She has lived at Sunrise Village Encore for nearly a year and now teaches art to her fellow residents.
"I began my artistic endeavours in 1961," Bonkowski says. "Through the years, I developed my skills in pen and ink, pencil sketches, pastels, landscapes, flowers, portraits in oil, acrylics, watercolours and silks."
As part of her studies, Bonkowski attended many workshops and outdoor retreats.
She was rewarded for her efforts, winning first prize in the David Thompson Country Tourist Council competition in Red Deer in 1982.
Bonkowski was commissioned to create a mural for a passion play. She was also hired to create magazine covers for women's magazines as well as create logos and sketches for history books.
Bonkowski says giving art lessons for fellow residents is "rewarding and a joy."
"Where there is great love of art there are always miracles," she adds.
"Elsie belives you can learn something new at every age," Sunrise Village communications coordinator Jessica Rabaey says.
"Where there is great love of art there are always miracles."ELSIE BONKOWSKIARTIST
