At 99, Dodee Buzzard Shares a Lifetime of Art and Joy at Urbana Free Library
- ClarkLindsey
- Apr 22, 2018
- 2 min read
Dorothy Mae “Dodee” Buzzard, a 99‑year‑old University of Illinois graduate and ClarkLindsey resident, is celebrating her birthday with a public showing of her watercolor collection, The Story of My Life. Her work, featured through Urbana’s Artist of the Corridor program, reflects her love of nature, travel, and family. Buzzard discovered watercolor painting only a few years ago and now paints several times a week.
What Happened
Dodee Buzzard turned 99 on April 12 and will mark the milestone with an art reception at the Urbana Free Library. Her exhibit, The Story of My Life, showcases watercolor paintings that capture the themes most meaningful to her: the natural world, her travels, and the people she loves.
Buzzard began experimenting with watercolor after moving to ClarkLindsey Village, where she lives near the community art studio. She paints multiple times a week and displays her work on her apartment door and in the hallway. This year, her art is also part of the Boneyard Arts Festival, giving her the chance to share her creativity with a wider audience.
She will attend Friday’s event at the library’s Lewis Auditorium, where visitors can enjoy birthday cake and hear her reflect on how the collection came together.
Why This Matters
Buzzard’s story highlights the power of creative expression at any age. Her late‑life discovery of watercolor painting shows how senior living communities can nurture artistic growth, purpose, and connection. Programs like Artist of the Corridor and the Boneyard Arts Festival also demonstrate how local institutions uplift community voices—young, old, emerging, or established.
Her reflections underscore the emotional and social value of art, especially for older adults seeking meaning, engagement, and joy.
Key Details at a Glance
Artist: Dorothy Mae “Dodee” Buzzard
Age: 99
Exhibit: The Story of My Life (watercolor collection)
Event: Friday, noon–1:30 p.m., Lewis Auditorium, Urbana Free Library
Programs: Artist of the Corridor; Boneyard Arts Festival
Residence: ClarkLindsey Village, Urbana
Themes: Nature, travel, family, gratitude, beauty
Broader Context
Creative aging programs are expanding nationwide as communities recognize the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of artistic engagement for older adults. Buzzard’s journey reflects this movement: access to studio space, community support, and public exhibition opportunities can transform late‑life creativity into a source of purpose and connection.
Her work also illustrates how senior living communities like ClarkLindsey foster environments where residents can explore new passions and share their talents with the broader public.
Source Attribution: Based on reporting originally published by The News‑Gazette.
