Voting for the artwork to be used for a mural at the new senior center concluded on April 2, and the winning design is "Sunflowers" - described as a bright and decorative sunflower pattern with a repetition of heart-shaped leaves indicating community and support.Joanne and Bruce Hunter of Danbury-based The Art Spot presented several members of the Newtown Senior Center with four design ideasOn March 26,

The vote was confirmed at the Commission on Aging's monthly meeting, which was open to the public, at the Municipal Center on April 16; the Commission on Aging serves as an advisory board for the Senior Center. Acceptance of the mural in the town-owned building is subject to approval from the Board of Selectmen.

they put together based on suggestions made by seniors earlier in the month of March, after it became known a grant had been won for a mural to go into the new senior center. Voting opened immediately after the brief presentation.

John Boccuzzi, Sr, who serves on the Commission on Aging and is the chairman of the Friends of Newtown Seniors, received the $4,000 state-funded grant through the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut.

"I contracted with the best possible artists, who do this all the time. They are experts at doing this thing," said Mr Boccuzzi, adding that he met with area artists and liked the work of Mr and Mrs Hunter.

Mr Boccuzzi applied for the grant last year and first was notified late this winter that he had won, a delay that Mr Boccuzzi attributes to state budget issues.

The Newtown Bee and posted on our website.

The grant money must be spent by September 30, 2018, so to ensure the deadline is met based on the artists' schedules, the vote took place over a span of a week. Mr Boccuzzi made announcements at February and March Friends of Newtown Seniors meetings, and he sent an e-mail blast out to 300-plus seniors on a list he had compiled from when the Friends of Newtown Seniors solicited interest from the community. An announcement in advance of the vote was also printed in

There were 64 votes cast by Newtown seniors when voting ended. "Sunflowers" received 28. The next highest total was an "Abstract" option with 17 votes, followed by "Cranes" with ten, and "Turtles and Honey Bees" with nine.

Suggestions from seniors were presented in words and thoughts with pictures and ideas they came up with describing the theme "One Town," as well as how they feel and what they want represented in the new senior center.

There were eight comments, including some from residents who did not believe the artwork reflected what they were looking for.

"All of those things are there and like anything with art it's a matter of interpretation," Mr Boccuzzi pointed out. "Everyone's interpretation is different."

Anna Wiedemann spoke about the project as a resident of Newtown, not as the chair of the Commission on Aging, and said while she does not believe the artwork reflects the words seniors submitted, she fully supports the project on the whole. Ms Wiedemann is among those who volunteered to help put the mosaic together.

"I am very interested in the prospect of creating something since I have zero craft ability. The artists have assured us that this is simple and fun. There's also the aspect of working together. We talk about isolation. This is something that will work toward continued opportunities for fellowship," Ms Wiedemann added. "It would be silly to not take this. It's free."

Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said that barring offensive content as part of any such gift to the town, as this mural would be classified, it is likely to be approved. The mural will go before the Board of Selectman, likely in June, Mr Boccuzzi anticipates.

Seniors, as well as any willing community member, also have the opportunity to sign up to help affix the tiles to the panels, at the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, 18-20 Riverside Road. There will be gatherings to put it together Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 29, 30, and 31, from 10 am to 3 pm, with an added evening offering on Wednesday, May 30, from 7 to 9 pm. Signups are at the Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road. The mural will be done on three panels, each three feet wide by five feet high. Its location at the new senior center will be worked out with project architects.

Mr Boccuzzi said on April 17 that while the grant has been awarded he is still awaiting arrival of the money from the state and that the artists are ready to get going. Additionally, Mr Boccuzzi said an application has been submitted to the Cultural Arts Commission for an additional $1,000 for the project, which is pending.