WS Chronicle

By Anna Marino

As we enter the New Year, we have made plans to continue with the Piedmont Plus Senior Games/SilverArts.  But as we did last year, we have had to make some adjustments.

If you’re unfamiliar with SilverArts, they are a part of our Senior Games. They include four categories:

*The first and largest category is Heritage Arts. Anything from basket weaving and pottery to woodworking and quilting is included in Heritage arts. 

*The second category is Visual Arts. This ranges anywhere from mixed media and acrylics to photography and sculpture. 

*The third category is Literary Arts. Participants can submit an essay, poem, life experience/memoir, or a short story. You can find a compilation of last year’s submissions by going to www.weplay.ws and clicking the “seniors” button. 

*The last category is Performing Arts. Anything from singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, line dancing groups to tai chi would fall under Performing Arts. 

Now that you know what SilverArts has to offer, you might wonder what our approach looks like while planning for 2021. First, the safety of our participants is paramount. While we cannot predict the status of the pandemic in April, we are proceeding with the SilverArts and are making adjustments accordingly. Probably the most significant change this year is to the Performing Arts.

We typically have a live audience for Performing Arts, which is not an option this year due to pandemic restrictions. 

We have decided to record acts on April 29 at the Forsyth Tech West Campus auditorium. Our plan is to broadcast a video of the performances on several different social media platforms.  To keep the number of participants at a minimum, each act will have a 30-minute time slot to be recorded. With the safety of our participants at the forefront, acts that are not being recorded will not be permitted to enter the building prior to their appointed time. We will be following guidelines set forth by the CDC, the state, and Forsyth Tech, which include wearing masks and social distancing.

We will be making adjustments to the Heritage Arts as well. Typically, we have one day where artists drop off and pick up their artwork. This year to adhere to social distancing, we are asking participants to schedule an appointment to drop off their submissions at the Central Public Library on April 1 and the same thing for pickup on April 30. On April 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, the exhibit will be closed for judging. The exhibit will then be open to the public from April 2 to April 29 at the downtown Central Library. We will be following guidelines set forth by the CDC, the state, and the library as to wearing a facial mask and social distancing. 

As for the Literary Arts, submissions are to be emailed to annam@cityofws.org. As in past years, members of Winston-Salem Writers will blind judge all entries.

Unfortunately, we will be unable to host a reception this year, but will award medals to Heritage Arts winners when they pick up their artwork. With Performing Arts, the judges will watch the recordings and winners will be announced at the end of the final recorded show. Literary Arts winners can pick up their medals at the drive-through window at our office on Patterson Avenue at a date to be determined, like last year.

We hope that we will not need to change our plans, but we are prepared to make adjustments depending on the changing status of the pandemic. It is our goal to continue the long-standing tradition of Senior Games/SilverArts in the safest way possible.

For more information on the Piedmont Plus Senior Games/SilverArts, including registration, important dates, and previous literary works, please visit https://www.cityofws.org/2395/Piedmont-Plus-Senior-Games-and-SilverArt or the Piedmont Plus Senior Games and SilverArts Facebook page. If you have any questions, please call 336-727-2313 or email annam@cityofws.org.

Anna Marino is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, receiving her degree in therapeutic recreation and where she played on the softball team that won the CIAA championship.  She is the senior recreation leader working with Senior Games/SilverArts for Forsyth County Recreation and Parks Department.