One local senior’s newfound creativity is set to help a local nonprofit agency see a much-needed financial boost.
Just Friends Adult Day Services’ online auction of the wire art of 90-year-old Julius Bayles will continue through 5 p.m. Friday, according to organizers. The site is 32auctions.com/JustfriendsArt featuring Bayles’ pieces ranging from cats to dragonflies to other whimsical figures.
Just Friends, which has been closed at Mill Race Center for slightly more than a month amid the COVID-19 pandemic, offers a broad range of social and medical care and structured activities for frail seniors who cannot easily stay at home by themselves.
The retired upholsterer who spent years restoring a range of furniture began his wire art last summer at the urging of Krystyna Leonarska, Just Friends’ team leader who coordinates activities. Bayles and the staff quickly realized he had a natural ability from the start.
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Auction organizers hope to raise as much as $2,000 from the bidding, according to Tricia Foster, program manager for Just Friends. Since the auction began, Bayles has created five more pieces for the cause.
But he always has waved away praise for his talent. And he views his latest work in a rather natter-of-fact fashion.
“I’ve always worked with my hands,” he said.
Foster is impressed with more than Bayles’ art.
“I think it’s awesome that he’s inspiring other people,” she said.
When The Republic featured Bayles and his art in a story earlier this year, Just Friends received many inquiries from people interested in the man and his efforts.
