CARY - As Don Hamilton’s brush gently touched canvas, he was transported to a world where age is erased and beauty is timeless.

Hamilton and dozens of other artists showed off their work Nov. 15 at the Cary Senior Center’s annual holiday arts and crafts sale. Every year, artists come together who have more in common than a knack with a paint brush – they’re all seniors.

For artists ages 50 and older, the event is an opportunity to show and sell their work, said Jody Jameson, senior center supervisor.

“It’s important to showcase our talented artists, and we’re encouraging our community to shop locally,” Jameson said. “It also gives the community a chance to see our senior center and what a vibrant place it is.”

The day of the sale, the senior center was transformed into a sort of flea market for crafts, paintings, hand-crafted jewelry, pottery and many other artistic endeavors. More than 40 vendors participated.

For Hamilton, who works with water colors and acrylics, art has become an outlet and a way for him to socialize with others in the community. His work allows him to relive his past travels – his paintings offer an abstract view of landmarks and people around the globe.

“My travels inspire me,” he said.

Art admirers James and Eileen Hilko of Cary talked with Hamilton about his inspiration while browsing his display. Both dabble in the arts themselves.

“The strong arts community is one of the reasons we moved here,” James Hilko said.

With vendors set up in several different rooms around the senior center, there were plenty of chances for customers to spot coveted pieces. Marilyn Price of Cary brought her 9-year-old granddaughter, Julia, who is a budding artist.

“This is great,” Price said. “She gets ideas of things she would like to make.”

Julia agreed. “I think it’s really cool to see all the stuff people are making.”

Some of the work went beyond aesthetics. Carolyn Cobb creates nonmetallic jewelry for cancer patients.

Cobb, a cancer survivor, decided to support others going through cancer treatment. She fashions necklaces and bracelets using fabric and stones.

“I wanted to make jewelry they didn’t have to worry about interfering with their treatment,” Cobb said.

For others, art is a chance to socialize. Members of the center’s social knitting club fashion hats for adults and children. They donate hats to area hospitals for newborns. The group meets every Monday to sew, knit and chat.

Marianne Miller is a bird lover who wanted to share her fascination of bird-watching. She started making tea cup bird feeders and baths so others could enjoy her hobby.

“It’s a fun process,” she said. “We look for unique and vintage tea cups.”

And that can be fun for anyone – regardless of age.