Betty B. has loved making art for as long as she remembers. We were enamored by Betty and her stories of a lifelong journey as an artist when she joined the Senior Smiles program, our initiative using arts as a platform to support the social and emotional well-being of seniors in the Austin community.

For Betty, art serves as a way to connect with others. She spends hours each day crafting handmade cards, bookmarks, and other small tokens with positive, uplifting messages that she distributes to friends and everyone she knows and meets.

Among the artists in the Senior Smiles program, Betty has developed a distinct, recognizable style that explores layers of complex color combinations and feminine naturalist themes. Recently, two pieces of her artwork were selected to be included in the City of Austin’s 2024 People’s Gallery exhibition and are on display in Austin City Hall until 2026.