By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Since coming to the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home about six months ago, Freeman Rosa discovered a creative way to pass the time.

“Over here I don’t have nothing to do, so all I do is draw,” he said.

Rosa, who started drawing when he was 8 years old, takes a little time each day to practice his craft.

“I enjoy it. I can sit down and concentrate on a painting,” he said. “It relaxes me.”

The subject matter of Rosa’s paintings varies widely, but many depict landscapes and street scenes both near and far. Rosa explained that some of paintings are based on photographs, but many are visions that came straight from his imagination.

On Wednesday, the local population got a chance to peer inside the mind of Rosa when the Veterans Home hosted a community arts fair.

Last week, artwork created by the visually talented art students at East St. John High School was hung on a wall at the home, and a placard bearing their names was dedicated Wednesday. But more than that, the students were able to find common ground with some fellow artists many decades their senior.

In addition to those paintings hung last week, each student selected a few more works from their portfolio. These were displayed alongside the work of local veterans.

One of those artists was Robert Adam, who specializes in woodworking. The former scoutmaster proudly displayed a table covered with wooden hatchets, tiny birdhouses, neckerchief slides and assorted toys. Although the pieces obviously took much time and care to produce, Adam said he never sells his work, preferring instead to give them as gifts.

He said, “How can you sell something that takes you three to four weeks to make.”

Lionel “Bully” Myers, a two-year resident of the home, also chooses to pass the time by releasing some of his creative juices. His table, filled with whimsical creations pieced together from figurines and

trinkets, in contrast, are purely for his own amusement.

“I make all that stuff just to pass the time,” he said.

Another table was crowded with colorful and shiny ceramics, the work of Cleo Bland. Bland visits the home every Wednesday to share his art with the residents, who can select a piece, free of charge, which they then get to paint however they like.

As he spoke with art teacher Carol Jane Myers about possibly sharing his passion with the VTAP students, it became clear that the art fair had a purpose well beyond showing off pretty paintings. It was about making connections.

Said Myers, “I think its wonderful.”