Meet Hazel – a 101-year-young resident of Glen Ridge Health Campus who was recently chosen to participate in the Seasoned Spirits campaign with Bourbon with Heart – a local nonprofit that uses the influence and popularity of the bourbon industry to raise awareness of Kentucky’s art community. The local organization frequently partners with area businesses and nonprofits to benefit related causes and improve access to arts experiences for all Kentuckians.
The Seasoned Spirits campaign is designed to shine a spotlight on artists aged 50 and older and demonstrate that – much like bourbon – we only get better with age.
“We love the idea of celebrating age in a unique and creative way that’s not been done before,” said Bourbon with Heart Founder Morgan Hancock. “We wanted to shed a positive light on aging. You hear about the 40 under 40 all the time, well here we have the 50 over 50. Each barrel is bringing a half century – more than a century in Hazel’s piece – of experience and life to their canvas.”
Hazel was among those Kentucky artists selected to hand paint a bourbon barrel top to be featured in the Seasoned Spirits exhibit. The barrel tops are hosted on the Bourbon with Heart website for sponsorships in the weeks leading up to exhibition. At the end of that six-week exhibit, sponsors then own the work.
In addition to raising funds for the NPI, visitors can also view the exhibit virtually and be able to vote on their favorite barrel top. The artist responsible for the audience’s choice will be given $1,000 to go to the nonprofit charity of their choosing.
Bourbon with Heart has raised about $100,000 for 10 nonprofit organizations through their exhibit initiatives this year, Morgan said.
Hazel’s piece – which taps into her love of music – will be featured in the Cambria Hotel Downtown on Whiskey Row in Louisville. The exhibit begins September 1st and will continue for six weeks.
“If we can do anything like this to focus on our residents, expose them and their talents to the community and show what they can do, it’s so exciting,” said Marty Hawkins, Glen Ridge Executive Director. “I mean, this is what we live for. We’re proud of her.”
For Hazel and her family, it’s equally exciting.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Hazel’s daughter, Becky R. “I had no clue they were doing this, I just happened to be up here, and they told me what was going on. She hadn’t even told me. This is great.”
Hazel has been a resident at Glen Ridge for about the last six years. She will celebrate her 102nd birthday in October.
Learn more about Bourbon with Heart and the Seasoned Spirits campaign here!