HARRISBURG — The state celebrated 30 artistically talented older Pennsylvanians this month at a special reception at the Governor’s Residence.
The seniors, whose artwork was selected for the second annual Older Artists of PA Showcase, came from all over the state. Only one winner out of the 30 was from Delaware County. She was also the only centenarian among the award-winning artists.
Florence Lauria of Media has had a banner year in 2026. The centenarian celebrated her 100th birthday on July 11, but reaching a century was only one of the events that made this year especially memorable.
“Flowers in a Vase — A Centennial Work,” is by artist Florence Lauria, 100. The watercolor was chosen in a recent Pennsylvania art contest to hang in the state Capitol and the Governor’s Residence.
Florence, a lifelong lover of art, had her watercolor painting, titled “Flowers in a Vase — A Centennial Work,” chosen in the competition’s category for artists living with dementia. The exhibition features work in three categories: Professional, Nonprofessional, and Artist Over 60 Living with Dementia.
The new category of Artists Living with Dementia was added this year to recognize that a diagnosis does not diminish a person’s creativity, identity or ability to contribute. Artistic expression can provide opportunities for connection and storytelling while allowing people living with dementia to be recognized for their talents and perspectives.
Florence’s artwork is on display in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol during August. A copy of her award-winning piece is hanging in the Governor’s Residence.
“It’s her banner year,” said daughter Annette Reyman of Media. “Not only has she lived to be 100, but all these wonderful things have been happening for her.”
Annette has been a central part of her mother’s journey.
For 12 years, Annette cared for her mother at home before Florence recently moved to a nearby Delaware County facility where she could receive a higher level of care.
In April, Annette decided to celebrate her mother’s 100th birthday a little early.
Although her actual birthday wasn’t until the summer, Annette hosted a centennial birthday celebration at Springfield Country Club. But it wasn’t simply a birthday party. Annette transformed the celebration into a retrospective of her mother’s lifelong love of art.
She gathered paintings, sketches, watercolors, oil paintings and ceramics that Florence had created throughout the years and put them on display as a centennial art exhibit so her guests could enjoy the works.
She even created a program for the exhibition. Florence had always enjoyed creating art, even while raising her family.
She was primarily a homemaker throughout her life, although she worked for 12 years as a sales clerk at J.C. Penney. Art remained a favorite pastime, and Annette had accumulated her mother’s work over the years.
“She always enjoyed doing artwork,” Annette said.
The exhibition eventually led to the opportunity Annette and her mother never expected.
At the time, Florence was receiving assistance through the GUIDE program operated by Abramson Senior Care of JFCS. The program provides personalized support to people living with dementia and their caregivers, including assistance from a dedicated care navigator and in-home services.
Annette showed the birthday art exhibition’s program to Brie Yousaitis, Florence’s social worker at Abramson Senior Care of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia.
The care manager was impressed and told Annette about Pennsylvania’s annual art competition for artists age 60 and older and encouraged her to submit one of her mother’s works.
Annette selected the watercolor painting of flowers in a vase that Florence had completed in March, just months before her 100th birthday.
Florence has been receiving a bouquet of flowers from her niece and nephew every month since her 95th birthday. These bouquets served as the inspiration for her painting.
Annette photographed the painting and submitted it to the state competition. Several weeks later, a letter arrived informing Florence that her painting was chosen. The letter was accompanied by an invitation to a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence, where she’d be recognized.
Annette and her sister, Loretta Lauria of Swarthmore, accompanied their mother to the event. In a recent interview, Annette described the governor’s residence as “beautiful and regal,” with a grand piano being played during the gathering. Although Gov. Josh Shapiro and his wife, Lori, were unable to attend, Annette said the family thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The event was particularly thrilling for my mother,” Annette shared. “She felt like a celebrity. People kept coming up to her and wanting to take her photo because she was the only 100-year-old winner.”
The Governor’s Residence reception brought the selected artists, their families, state officials, and community partners together to recognize the artists and celebrate the role creative expression can play throughout a person’s life.
Following the luncheon, the artists and their families boarded buses for the Pennsylvania Capitol, where they were treated to a tour and a view of their artwork hanging there.
Born in 1926, the fourth of five children of Italian immigrants, Emma and Guiseppe Florio, Florence grew up in Manhattan. Although they had very little, from an early age Florence enjoyed art.
At 25, she married Salvatore Lauria. They started their family in New York, first in the Bronx and later on Long Island.
Throughout every decade of her life, her love of art persisted.
Florence took art classes whenever she could, all the way through her 80s, focusing mainly on drawing and painting.
Florence has become both visually impaired and affected by age-related dementia yet, over the past five years, Florence has used watercolor brush markers to continue to create works of art. Through the decades, art remained a constant.
The annual Older Artists of PA Showcase, made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Pennsylvania Creative Industries, and powered by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, showcases artwork from older artists across the Commonwealth.
“This showcase celebrates the talent, experience, and individuality that older Pennsylvanians bring to communities across our Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “These artists include people who have spent decades developing their craft, those who discovered a passion for art later in life, and people living with dementia who continue to express themselves and connect with others through their artistry. We are proud to share their work and allow the public to see aging through a lens of creativity.”
The annual art exhibition’s goal is to recognize the importance of belonging, social connection, lifelong learning, and opportunities for older adults to remain active and engaged in their communities.
“The talent and variety on display in this year’s Showcase highlights the creativity of Pennsylvania’s senior community,” said Susan Cohen, PCA Council Chair. “Our Council works to emphasize, strengthen and support creative energy, which we now have on view in this inspiring exhibit. It is a wonderful illustration of the Commonwealth’s creative vitality.”
While the state recognition celebrates Florence’s artistic accomplishments, Annette said the experience also illustrates the importance of helping older people, especially those living with dementia, remain connected to the things they have always loved.
As for Florence Lauria, at 100, she is still leaving her mark, one painting at a time.