Elderly woman endures injury, operations, house fire but completes painting for senior center

DAWSONVILLE - The largest painting displayed in the Dawson County Senior Center Art Show last month at the Bowen Center for the Arts took its creator two years to complete.

In fact, the artist, 88-year-old Virginia "Ginny" Burnett, was 86 when she began painting the 4x6-foot acrylic called "Prayer Garden." What took the great grandmothter so long to finish her colorful piece? Its size? The detailed brushstrokes? Perfecting the final touches on the large panel canvas?

"Oh no," Burnett quips, "other things."

Other things, indeed.

In March 2011, Burnett fell and hit her head. In addition, she was hospitalized eight times over the course of the year and underwent three operations on her left knee. In November 2011, her garage, attached to her Dawsonville home,caught fire. Her house survived, however.

Despite the struggles she faced, Burnett found time periodically to visit the senior center and participate in its art classes led by Cindy Gillim. The Chicago native also remained upbeat, calling painting, a hobby she began when she was 85 at the encouragement of her friends, "a therapy for me."

"I owe all my thanks to senior center for offering me the opportunity to attend their art classes," says Burnett. "And I also I feel so honored to have an art teacher like Cindy Gillim, without whose help I could not paint. I owe her so much."

Other activities she credits for her youthful attitude include knitting, sewing, ceramics, playing the piano and organ, and exercise. Most important, though, she says, is prayer.

"I go to church every day they have Mass," says Burnett, noting that she attends two churches - Christ Redeemer in Dawsonville and Good Shepherd in Cumming.

"Church and prayer play a big part (in my longevity)," she adds.

Burnett and other senior center artists showcased their work at the Bowen Center throughout March. They were recognized during and artists' reception at the Bowen Center on March 24.

The Bowen Center for the Arts, located at 334 Highway 9 South in downtown Dawsonville, is operated by the Dawson County Arts Council, a nonprofit organization promoting the arts in Dawson and surrounding counties. For more information, call 706-216-ARTS or visitdawsonarts.org.