Gray Eyes Project

Project lends a hand, and eyes, to seniors

Ojai musician organizes Gray Eyes Project to capture memories, photos

June 20, 2008
Sondra Murphy
sondra@ojaivalleynews.com

Many valley residents know of Al Westcott’s talents as a musician, but the man is also a photographer. After
volunteering at The Gables of Ojai and Los Robles Care Center (formerly Aracias Care Center), Westcott thought
of a way for members at the living facilities to express themselves. He calls it the Gray Eyes Project.

“I have been playing music out at The Gables once a month and I thought to myself, ‘There is a story behind each
of these people,’” said Westcott. “Through their response to my music I have seen firsthand the need for these
residents to express themselves and to let the rest of the world know they have something to say and something to
offer our society,” said Westcott.

To start off the process, Westcott donated disposable cameras to interested shutterbugs, then later got the film
developed. OVN caught up with Westcott at The Gables during the third stage in the project, when the
photographers viewed their pictures and picked photos for Westcott to enlarge for display online and as a number
of valley businesses.

The Gables’ photographers are Lorraine Ainsworth, Florence Civita, Carl and Ellen Christianson, Bill and Peg
Hall, Rankin Griesinger, Helen Henrickson, Alice deMoulpied and Dorothea Phelen. The group eagerly viewed
their photographs on June 5. “Look how excited they are,” Westcott said with a twinkle in his eye.

“So this is supposed to be life at The Gables?” asked Ainsworth. “This is supposed to be your life,” said Westcott.

The developed film depicted a number of people and surroundings that the residents regularly encounter, including
family members, Gables’ staff and neighbors and downtown Ojai. Many had captured views of and from their front
doors, as well as of flowering grounds, visiting pets and children.

“These roses are right outside Amy’s house,” said Ellen Christianson to The Gables’ Denise Daniels, who is
helping Westcott with the Gray Eyes Project. The group of photographers spent as much time studying each other’s
shots as their own.

Some, like Griesinger and Marshall were not initially impressed by their handiwork, but allowed others to look
through the snapshots and comment about what they liked about them. “That’s the view from my front door,”
Marshall said about her shot of a bed of colorfully blooming roses. “I want to thank whoever had the idea to do
this,” said Hall, who tipped his hat to Westcott.

Eight-by-10 versions of The Gables’ favorite photos will be coming soon to Coffee Connection, David Whipple
Jewelers, Foxy Lady Beauty Salon, Ojai Coffee Roasting Company and the Ojai Valley News. “The whole thing is
completely donation-based,” said Westcott. “It’s only about $10 a person.”

Pharmacist Amani Hishmeh of The Medicine Shoppe in Ojai has recently committed to supplying disposable
cameras to the project. “I deal with nursing homes in my daily life and get to meet people,” said Hishmeh. “They
want to chitchat and I hear a story here and there. This is one of those stories that touches the heart. Right now I’m
giving Al as many cameras as he needs.”

Westcott donates 10 percent of his income from music to fund the project, which he has also taken to Los Robles
Care Center in Ojai, and said he is accepting enlargement, matting services or $10 to help offset his costs. For
more information about this project, visit grayeyesproject.com or call Westcott at 646-1985.