Aging in America- Our Heritage of Wisdom
a series of thirty-six pencil drawings by artist jim branscum

 

	AIA Traveling Display: Providing Continuous Exposure for Aging Concerns and Issues of Importance to Participating Sponsors in State & County Government and Public Venues 365 Days a Year.

As stated numerous times on this web site, the Aging in America project is being created with a purpose that transcends the production of art or the generation of income.  That purpose is to expose the humanity, dignity and contributions of America's elderly to elected officials and the public.  To achieve this exposure, I have turned to all individuals, companies, associations and organizations which deal with issues of concern to older Americans. To date, exposure has come primarily from Legislative (State Capitol and Washington, DC), school and community exhibitions of the original drawings.  These exhibitions are powerful attractions but have been limited to one to five days each.  

My primary sponsorship comes from the health and long term care field. Sponsors provide the funds required to complete the original drawings and to attend the many exhibitions of the original art throught the country. In return, sponsors of these exhibitions use the events to promote issues of concern to their organizations. It is a relationship that provides exposure for both the Sponsor and the AIA project. A win-win relationship.

The Florida Health Care Association, a Sponsor of the AIA project, has created an exhibition program that exceeds my original concept of limited exhibitions of the original drawings.  They have "taught this old dog a new trick."  It is a program that will continue long past the day that I return the original drawings to those who sponsored their creation;  it is a program that can be used indefinitely to promote the issues of concern to my Sponsors and all older Americans.

The photos at the top of this page show the Florida Health Care Association's (FHCA) traveling display of the Aging in America (AIA) artwork.  These photo's were taken at the Sarasota County Complex in Sarasota, Florida.

The FHCA display is set up for 30-day exhibitions at major Florida airports, state & county government complexes and other public locations. The display provides the association with a continuous positive presence in these venues and ongoing contact with elected officials, government employees and the public. The FHCA's display has demonstrated its ability to provide positive exposure for the association by its public acceptance at past venues. At the end of the Tallahassee Airport exhibition, airport officials asked the FHCA to leave the display due to its popularity with airport visitors.

The FHCA traveling display of the Aging in America art "stands alone" during its 30-day exhibitions at locations throughout the state. Once on site, the FHCA display does not require attendance during exhibitions. The display "stands alone" in providing continuous positive expose for the Florida Health Care Association, its members and their "missions." The display is also meaningful at legislative functions as a reminder of health care issues, at major association functions and all public events. The FHCA display is a public relations bonanza providing the association with positive Legislative and public exposure 365 days a year. It is beneficial to the association, its members and the residents of member facilities providing exposure for their concerns and services. At the same time, the exhibitions provide exposure for the goals of the AIA project-- to honor the humanity and dignity of America's elderly, and to expose their enormous contributions to our country.

The display's ability to make a positive impression on viewers was demonstrated when Florida Secretary of Aging Affairs, Bentley Lipscomb, saw the FHCA display at the Tallahassee Airport. Secretary Lipscomb contacted the FHCA seeking permission to use six of the drawings for a presentation during his Annual State of Elder Affairs Address. The photograph (below right) shows Secretary Bentley and artist Jim Branscum at an exhibition of the original drawings during the 1998 FHCA Convention at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. Like exhibitions of the original drawings, the FHCA's traveling display provides a non-confrontational forum to address a wide range of issues with elected officials, government appointees and employees at all levels. Printed materials covering specific concerns of the association are available on or near the display.

Every association, organization and corporation dealing with aging concerns can receive multiple benefits from the positive exposure provided by this display. Contact me at the numbers listed below to learn more about creating an Aging in America Traveling Display for your association, organization or corporation.