Enriching Basil Scrivens has done


many things. Navy veteran, operating room technician, photographer, painter, and performer. Through all of it, one thing has remained constant: a deep love for creative expression.


O


Each Day, Together


riginally from Philadelphia, Basil (pronounced buh- SEEL) spent 17 years in the Bronx before eventually settling in Lancaster about four years ago with his wife,


Stacy, a woman he has known since elementary school. Te two reconnected on Facebook in 2010 when Basil came across her photo and reached out. Tey married in 2017. When epilepsy began to change daily life for Basil, Landis Adult Day Services offered something he didn't know he needed. "It's a safe and protective environment," he says. "If I could be here more than two days, I probably would."


Art has been woven through every chapter of Basil's life. He is a photographer, printmaker and painter whose work has earned recognition through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including first place in color photography and second place in black-and-white in recent years. Tese days, he especially enjoys gel printing, which is a process of layering acrylic paint onto a gel plate to create textured images. "[I paint] whatever catches my eye," he says. "What I find beautiful." He works on his art weekly at the Lebanon VA's art program, which has become another place of comfort and community.


But it is performing that Basil holds closest. "My favorite art is performing," he says. "It's instant. You can't take it back. You have to do it right then and there. You have to give it all you got." Tis summer, that passion pulled him back to the stage. Basil prepared a one-man show he wrote himself called “Skinpoppin,” which tells the story of one man's experience with struggle and survival through the eyes of seven different characters. "It's a journey through rhythm, sound, and movement," he shares. "Te play has a rhythm to it. It has some poetry." He performed it on June 13 in the Community Education Center, Philadelphia—one night, one show. "I want it to be sharp," he said prior to the performance. "I only have one time to do it." True to his preference for intimacy, the venue seats about 50. "I like small spaces so I can really have a one-on-one with my audience. So I can really feel and see what they're seeing."


As one of the younger participants at ADS, Basil acknowledges that it took some adjusting. "Tat's probably the hardest part about being here," he says with a smile. "But the men and the ladies here make it very easy. Tey don't care about my age."


Basil says the Landis Communities guiding values that resonate most with him are Joy and Community. "When I walk through the door, there are smiles on all of the staff's faces. Tey're happy, they're saying my name, and I appreciate that a lot." He also values the way staff encourage participation without pressure. "Tey're always trying to connect me with an activity, and it's up to me whether or not I want to do it. I appreciate that."


For Basil, Landis Adult Day Services offers community and support. His art gives him purpose.


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2026 • 11


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20