Call us at 1-833-252-2737 (TTY 711)

8AM-8PM Monday-Friday

Call us at 1-833-252-2737 (TTY 711)

8AM-8PM Monday-Friday
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Painting with Passion

Shelly Colley, director of the Friends of CenterLight Foundation, sat down with Bronx CenterLight PACE Center participant Nancy Rivera for an interview. They discussed Nancy’s passion for painting and how she has had to adapt this passion to accommodate her near blindness caused by a myopic stigma, coupled with Glaucoma.  

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Shelly: Ms. Rivera, is it okay if I call you Nancy? I am so happy to meet with you today. When I saw your paintings, I told the CenterLight PACE recreation staff that I just had to meet the artist!

painting of flowers

Nancy: Oh yes, it is fine if you call me Nancy. My mother named me after Frank Sinatra’s daughter Nancy because she felt it is a strong American name.

Shelly: I am really admiring your paintings. The brilliant colors of yellow, red, and green daisies pop out from the canvas like real flowers. The hues of smaller blue and pink flowers interwoven together seem so life-like to me. When did you start painting and what piqued your interest to paint?

Nancy: I started when I was a little girl. I couldn’t wait for the Sunday Daily News to arrive so I could color in the “color by number” picture that came with it. We spent a lot of family time in our home, so my brother and I had many creative outlets.  My biological father was also a professional artist, and I think my brother and I inherited his talent.

In the 1970’s, I graduated from the High School of Music & Arts, which is now known as the La Guardia High School of Music, Arts & Performing Arts. And yes, this is the school on which the movie Fame was based. The four years I spent at this school helped me to home in my artistic skills and fed my love for painting. I continued painting for the rest of my adult life. As a mom raising my son and daughter, I always had art supplies available at home for them. My son is an engineer and designer, and my daughter has always loved arts and crafts.

Shelly: I understand you are legally blind and have been dealing with vision loss for many years. Could you explain what it is like painting with impaired vision?  Also, what inspires you to create these beautiful paintings?

Nancy: The way that I see, well, I try to describe this to people -- it is as if I am looking through one-piece of Cheerio cereal, and the center hole is where I see into. What inspires me is nature in all its glory. It can be any type of natural setting too. From landscapes to flowers in a market, to walking outside to seeing photographs. My friends travel the world and I ask them to send me photos from wherever they are. Then I pull the photos up on my iPad and enlarge them. From there, I can see the most brilliant landscapes.

Shelly: Just one last question: how long have you been attending CenterLight PACE at the Wallerstein center in the Bronx?

Nancy: I have been coming to CenterLight PACE for the last 5 years. I love the painting classes that our Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Specialist Michelle Van Etten runs. The room that we paint in has very good light, which is so important for me. I have some wonderful friends here who also paint. We all find it so relaxing and soothing. 

 

CenterLight PACE is committed to providing accurate health-related information to help individuals live well, stay healthy and make well-informed healthcare decisions. Information in this material is strictly educational. We recommend that users consult with their doctor regarding their care. If you would like to learn more about CenterLight PACE, please call: 1-833-252-2737 (TTY 711), 8AM - 8PM, Monday - Friday. Representatives or message service also available on weekends.


H3329_2023_BLOGPassionForArt Approved 03302023
Last updated March 9, 2023

About This Article

This blog post is part of CenterLight PACE’s series highlighting our participants’ stories.

Nancy Rivera has been a CenterLight PACE participant for 5 years.

Shelly Colley is the Director of the Friends of CenterLight Foundation.

quote from TR specialist Michelle
If you have questions, please call us at 1-833-252-2737, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. TTY users should call 711. You may also request a callback from one of our representatives by completing the form below:
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We welcome your inquiries. Please call our Participant Services Department at 1-833-CL-CARES (1-833-252-2737) Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM through 8:00 PM. TTY users should call 711. You may also write to us at 136-65 37th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_002 Approved MMDDYYYY
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Last updated on December 27, 2017
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_Caregivers Approved MMDDYYYY
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Last updated on December 7, 2017
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_004r1_M Approved 01072019
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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_005r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_006r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_007r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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Last updated on March 29, 2022

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

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Photo credit: Linda Farwell Photography