Exhibit

Our Stories in Art: Diversity and Symbiosis

BIO

Shanguo (Sam) Jia immigrated to the United States in 2022 and established a personal art studio in Los Angeles. Jia has been devoted to the study of the contemporary of Chinese culture, and represented China to participate in many international art exhibitions. He won the Art Inheritance Award of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the highest work award at the 12th National Military Art Exhibition and the Korea Gwanghwamun Arts Festival Art Award (the highest award). He participated in the Artistic Salon Art at the Grand Palais in Paris, the 13th Havana International Biennale, Chinese Contemporary Art in Budapest and other important international exhibitions. His works are collected by China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Italian Benetton Art Foundation, Hungarian Embassy in China, Hungarian National Bank Art Foundation and other institutions. He is the Art Consultant of Hungarian cultural center in Beijing, a member of the Chinese Artists Association, and distinguished researcher of China Institute of Paper Art.

Media Contact: 
Charmaine Nelson (626) 344-4325
Email: Charmainen@pasadenaseniorcenter.org

MEET CONCEPTUAL ARTIST SHANGUO (SAM) JIA AT ‘DIVERSITY AND SYMBIOSIS’ OPENING RECEPTION 

Internationally-renowned conceptual artist Shanguo (Sam) Jia will unveil his abstract paintings — inspired by members of the Pasadena Senior Center community who have immigrated to the United States — at the opening reception for his original work ‘Our Stories in Art: Diversity and Symbiosis,’ on Saturday, Apr. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center (PSC). Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artist as well as the project’s participants at the reception. 

The event is free event, and reservations are requested. To register or for more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Activities and Events, then Special Events, or call 626-795-4331. Light refreshments will be served.

“Diversity and Symbiosis” is a series of 30 abstract pieces inspired by the immigrant stories of PSC members. Two years in the making, Jia first engaged participants through personal interviews, seeking to capture an important thought from each one that he then used to create a series of abstract canvases using each person’s words. Each abstract canvas is paired with a video interview of the person who inspired the painting.

The exhibit will be on display in PSC’s Fireside Lounge through July.

Jia, an immigrant to the United States from Shandong province in China, was inspired by PSC members’ immigration stories to explore how journeys of leaving one country behind impact rebuilding lives in America. For the work, he interviewed many in the PSC community and asked each interviewee to write down one sentence that “influences them the most in their lives” in their immigrant story.

This year-long project was part of the Pasadena Senior Center’s celebration of 65 years of supporting the older adult community in the San Gabriel Valley. PSC members interviewed for this fine art project hail from various countries, including India, Ecuador, China, England, Austria, Canada and the Philippines.

Jia, an MFA graduate from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, conceptualized this original idea upon arriving in California in 2022, a journey he embarked on to foster a better career path and grow his reputation on the international art state. 

The Pasadena Senior Center’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults through caring service with opportunities for social interaction, fitness programs, basic support and needs services, education, volunteerism and community activism. With 10,000 Americans per day becoming older adults, the center is a leader in addressing issues of aging and provides innovative, cutting-edge, nationally recognized programs for this population group.

As a donor-supported nonprofit, the center operates without any local, state or federal funding and provides more services to older adults than any other organization in the San Gabriel Valley. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. To learn more visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-795-4331.

Media Contact: 
Charmaine Nelson (626) 344-4325
Email: Charmainen@pasadenaseniorcenter.org

CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY WITH ‘JazzZone’ AT THE PASADENA SENIOR CENTER ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

Get your groove on and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the resilience of our community at a special concert with cool jazz group The JazzZone at the Pasadena Senior Center on Saturday, January 17 from 2 - 4 p.m.

The JazzZone is the group who makes cool jazz sizzle, and their jazz, blues, and

R & B will have you smiling and swaying. Dancing is encouraged!  This concert, held at the Pasadena Senior Center, is indoors and open to all. Bring your friends and neighbors to start the new year off right.

The event is free for Pasadena Senior Center members and non-members, and reservations are suggested. To register or for more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Special Events, or call 626-795-4331.

The JazzZone is continuing the legacy of Jimmie Owens, a legacy of musical genius. James Owens grew up in East St. Louis and began his career in music classes at Lincoln High School with his brother, Hilton Owens, and the young Miles Davis. In carrying on that legacy, The JazzZone believes that jazz and blues music is a powerful force that brings people together and inspires positive change.

The Pasadena Senior Center’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults through caring service with opportunities for social interaction, fitness programs, basic support and needs services, education, volunteerism and community activism. With 10,000 Americans per day becoming older adults, the center is a leader in addressing issues of aging and provides innovative, cutting-edge, nationally recognized programs for this population group.

As a donor-supported nonprofit, the center operates without any local, state or federal funding and provides more services to older adults than any other organization in the San Gabriel Valley. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. To learn more visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-795-4331.

Give Today to Help Us Support Hungry Seniors

With 40 years in critical care and community outreach, Kathy Eastwood serves as a Community Outreach Nurse at Huntington Health, enhancing senior wellness and education. For over 15 years, she has parterned with the Pasadena Senior Center, leading screenings, health talks, chair yoga, and a diabetes empowerment series benefiting hundreds of older adults. She champions aging as an active, connected, and fulfilling stage of life. 

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Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF, is a widely respected authority on geriatric and family medicine, elder abuse, and care of the elderly and underserved. She is also an expert on medical education curricula design, development and implementation.

She is a professor of Family Medicine and Geriatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and also serves as director of the National Center on Elder Abuse, a federally-funded initiative that serves as the nation’s coordinating body and clearinghouse for information on research, training, best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. She is the principal investigator of an NIA-funded R01 study to understand the causes of abuse of people with dementia, and is the leader of numerous other activities related to elder justice.

As a clinician, researcher, educator, and academic administrator, she has a unique perspective that is informed by her extensive experiences in the community.

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Pasadena Senior Center
Celebrating 65 years of Service

Sunday, October 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Attend the Celebration

Be a Sponsor

Honorees

• Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF

• Kathy Eastwood, RN

Inquiries

Pasadena Senior Center
Celebrating 65 years of Service

Sunday, October 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Be a Sponsor

Be a Sponsor

Honorees

• Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF

• Kathy Eastwood, RN

Sponsorship Levels

Download Sponsorship Packet

Inquiries

• For Tuesdays

• For Wednesdays