Pelham Art Center presents "IRVA: Inspired Retired Visual Artists," an exhibition running from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring retired professionals aged 75 and older who create original artwork in photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, glass, and mixed media. The group began over 25 years ago as a weekly lunch gathering and has grown into a community exhibiting across the tristate area and online. An opening reception on June 11 includes an artist talk and live jazz by the Leslie Pintchik and Scott Hardy Duo.
The exhibition matters because it challenges age-related stereotypes about creativity, demonstrating that artistic growth and innovation can flourish in retirement. It highlights the value of lifelong learning, community building, and mutual inspiration among older artists, offering a model for how art centers can support aging populations. The show also reinforces Pelham Art Center's role as a local hub for inclusive, intergenerational art programming.