That most universal of topics, food, is the subject of the current show, Feasting Eyes: Artists Take on Food, at the Kenan Center in Lockport. The exhibit communicates various perceptions of food and the dining experience, presenting food in lush, plain, appetizing, unappealing, and decaying states. The show is organized along themes to give a sense of cohesion to the work of 23 artists.

Situated on the 10th floor of the Veteran’s Hospital is a room with café-style chairs bolted to the floor. Here on Monday and Tuesday evenings, 6-8pm, an organized art activity is normally held. An art specialist props open the door while six or eight ward residents in various combinations of pajamas, T-shirts, and cutoffs gradually move to the activity tables. Chaired by activity specialist Ralph Sirianni, a long-standing VA employee, these occasions often become barracks bull sessions interspersed with drawing. That’s the idea; to get people out of their rooms and off the chairs in front of the TV and into discussions and an exchange of ideas. This helps to keep institutionalized people energized and challenged while intending to account for creative interventions as a measurable outcome of organized participation.