The Maiya III

Maiya was born in Crimea, where she worked as a physician. She relocated to New York City in 1995. Maiya has been attending JASA for over nine years, and was first drawn to the center because of the art programming.

"I always wanted to try out art as a hobby, and I see that I am getting better through the years. Here at the center, we are a community of amateurs learning from each other. It's a beautiful thing."

Maiya feels that being an artist is a central part of her ability to maintain an active lifestyle as an older adult. When she is not taking art classes, she is spending time with her grandchildren and helping them master the Russian language, and volunteering at the Center through a program that assists veterans of World War II.