Pamela Simmons is working to change the perception of the Ann Arbor Senior Center - that it's not a place just for senior citizens.

"We are expanding the senior program but what we are doing now is trying to add community programs for all ages so it's more a community enrichment center," said Simmons, the facility supervisor.

And that's what the center's Arts, Eats and Entertainment event Wednesday was all about. The event was open to the public and designed to showcase three different artists from the Ann Arbor area.

The senior center was slated to be closed on June 30 along with Mack Pool. However, on May 17, Ann Arbor City Council voted to keep the doors open to both community venues.

One of the artists featured during Arts, Eats and Entertainment was Suzanne Beutler. Beutler retired from Ann Arbor Public Schools after teaching for 30 years and she decided to go back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree in art education at the University of Michigan.

Beutler said she draws inspiration for her paintings from places she's traveled to and things she's seen. She has her husband, Fred Beutler, photograph sites so she can paint the scene. Beutler will be a part of the Ann Arbor Art Fairs this summer; her booth will be located on the north side of Liberty Street by the U.S. Post Office.

For the eats part of the senior center's gathering, Janet Allen-Wilborn, 51, showcased two dishes. The main course was shrimp and scallops with an orange sauce with honey and for dessert a Reese’s Pieces cheesecake was available. Allen-Wilborn also served a raspberry and strawberry consommé drink.

Allen-Wilborn got her start in cooking when she was 9 years old in a family of eight siblings. The mother of two also recently began to see cooking as a way to stay close to her sons and decided go back to school to learn more. Allen-Wilborn graduated from Washtenaw Community College in the Culinary Arts program.

"When all the parties happen, they come to my house for food," Allen-Wilborn said. "It's all done in the spirit of joy. And I think anytime you're happy, whatever you're putting in is like a seed and if you're germinating good seeds, good things will come out."

For the entertainment, Jetty Rae, 23, a folk singer originally from Northern Michigan, performed. Rae has been singing and performing for the last five years. She's been in Ann Arbor for two of those years and has performed in the area a handful of times.

“I’d like to think there’s a different message to my music. I don’t really do it to be famous or make money,” Rae said. “I guess really just wherever God takes me with it. I feel like he gave me a gift and it’s my job to share it.”

The senior center has several more events planned that are open to the public and will hire a consultant in the fall to help determine the future of the center.

"We have Michigan authors coming in the fall and lots of different workshops. We have a wonderful fitness company that's going to be doing really cool fitness programs. What we're having trouble with is marketing to let all people know that all can come," Simmons said. "We will probably change our name in a year or two. Right now, we want to make sure that we can get the word out that all events are open to everyone."

The Ann Arbor Senior Center is located off of Baldwin Avenue near Burns Park. For more information visit the website or 734-794-6250.

Anna Fuqua-Smith is a summer intern on the Community Team for AnnArbor.com. Contact the staff at community@annarbor.com.