Putting an Emphasis on Experience

Who says youth must be served? Not the South Bay Contemporary Museum of Art or the Ready for Prime Time Players.

The two organizations are joining forces to put the spotlight on South Bay visual artists and actors who are over 50. In the case of the senior artists, some are over 80.

“We want to inspire seniors to realize they can develop creative ability at their time of life,” said Linda Capelli-Hamilton, director of a Prime Time production of “Hello, Dolly!” at the Norris Theatre.

The community theater group, a Norris outreach group serving seniors, casts only people 50 or over in its shows.

In conjunction with the musical, which opens April 12, the art museum in Torrance will show more than 100 works--including watercolors, acrylics, sculpture and ceramics--by senior artists.

The art show begins Saturday with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Some members of the “Dolly” cast will perform a vignette from the show at the reception.

During the weekend run of “Dolly” April 12-14 at the Norris, some of the art will be displayed in the theater lobby. It also will follow the show on a mini-tour of South Bay senior and community centers.

Capelli-Hamilton said the purpose of the tour is “to reach people who would not have a chance to go to the theater or the gallery.”

Art show curator Nancee Kioudjian said the display--called “A Time to Shine”--is a chance for the artists to see their work on a gallery wall. “It shows the potential and talent of seniors,” she said.

Half of the art was produced by artists in classes at the San Pedro Adult School and OASIS at the Harbor, a free educational program for seniors. “They are very enthusiastic, very serious about their work,” said Thea Clark, OASIS coordinator.

The balance of the works are by artists affiliated with the Palos Verdes Art Center.

The show is dominated by landscapes and marine scenes, figure studies, flowers, and birds. “There are a lot of happy, pretty pictures, the way (the artists) want to see life,” Kioudjian said.

After the Saturday opening at the museum of art, “A Time to Shine” may be seen Tuesday through April 13 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum is in a shopping center at 5029 Pacific Coast Highway.

“Hello Dolly!” plays April 12 at 8 p.m., April 13 at 2 and 8 p.m., and April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Norris, Indian Peak Road and Crossfield Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Ticket information is available at 544-0403.