Lila Kuperman was born in Argentina in 1931 to parents who immigrated from Eastern Europe. She was raised in Buenos Aires, married young and had her only son, Newtown resident Joseph Kugielsky, in Buenos Aires prior to her immigrating to the United States.

While Lila was a child and in her early years she was a great lover of art and music, and she created art for her friends and school. It was not until she was a bilingual guidance counselor in New York City in the 1970s that she began to paint seriously. Through many moves and homes in different countries, she has continued to paint.

Now, Ms Kuperman and her longtime partner, Jacobo Azapian, have lived for just over a year at Masonicare. They moved here from Mexico, where they had lived for many years during which time Lila was most prolific, until ill health caused her to be unable to paint. Her last painting was completed in Mexico around 2011.

After being at Masonicare for a few months, as her health improved, Ms Kuperman decided to try one of the weekly art classes offered. Like opening a faucet, she began to paint again - slowly, but inexorably, completing small paintings under the guidance of Recreation Therapy Coordinator Lynn d'Angelo and art therapist  Katie Claywell of Masonicare.

Ms d'Angelo suggested that maybe Ms Kuperman would like to have a solo exhibition - for the first time in her life - and she agreed. So, a solo exhibition of Ms Kuperman's work will open to the public in the art rooms at Masonicare with a reception on Wednesday, July 12, from 4 to 6 pm. The reception is free and all are welcome.

(At 7 pm that evening, Masonicare's Summer Sounds Concert Series will continue with a performance by Sweet As Sugar. The 90-minute concert of jazz, standards and sing-along favorites will be presented outdoors, free of charge. Rain date would be July 13).

Ms Kuperman's exhibition will remain on view through July 24. The art room is open from 10 am until 4 pm daily. Masonicare at Newtown is at 139 Toddy Hill Road.