Bedford Care Center of Picayune held an inaugural art exhibit Tuesday morning.

The nursing home facility provides services such as nursing, physician care, nutrition and physical therapy. As part of the facility’s efforts to provide fun events for the residents, the center organized the exhibit to showcase art work created by the facility’s residents, said Activities Director Robin Veerkamp.

Veerkamp, an artist and former president of the Pearl River County Arts League, said she conducts art classes at the center to teach the residents a variety of art forms such as acrylic water color and button art.

“I thought it would be great to put up a show to recognize the work of all residents,” she said.

The exhibit featured paintings created under the guidance of Jeanie Walker, a volunteer and retired Pearl River Central High School teacher who visits the center twice every month to teach a watercolor class.

Walker said she loved teaching the residents and feels her class was instrumental is helping them gain an understanding of how the medium works.

She said art helps senior citizens take their minds off their daily routine and provides them with an avenue to better express their thoughts.

“I don’t want them to feel that they are forgotten and it’s not how well they do, it’s just that they are doing something,” Walker said.

Pieces of art on display includes those created by residents over the past year. The Arts League provided screens so the pieces could be displayed, Veerkamp said.

Barbara Lane and Laura Ousset of Indian Summer performed at the exhibit.