Frank Pasian believes it’s never too late to follow a dream. “My artist friends, who are my age, and I … say we’re so lucky that we have this,” Pasian said. It just took a good part of a lifetime to realize that dream. The Don Valley Art Club (DVAC) had its first exhibition of the year on Nov. 25, in the art gallery at the Todmorden Mills Heritage Site. The exhibit included art created by Pasian. But his artistic journey was a longtime coming; he started painting at a very young age, and then stopped.

Two partly completed paintings sit on a pair of easels at the back of the gallery. Together the canvases depict a mandala, a geometric spiritual symbol representing the universe. A few minutes ago, Jean McGrady spotted the easels. She also noticed the brushes and a palette of a variety of acrylic paints sitting in front of the canvases. She was given the chance to add to the mandala. “I’m quite thrilled,” McGrady said. “(But) I do wish I could paint.” The fall show, put on by the Beach Guild of Fine Arts, Sept. 18, at the gallery at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, brought together local artists and art enthusiasts with its new interactive art project.