Residents Make Art while Connecting with Neighbors

Paula Harten has loved making lace since she was a child. So, it's not surprising that nearly six years ago, when she moved to Wind Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Highlands Ranch, Colo., she not only continued making lace but began sharing her talent with others.

"I've taught two Learners Group classes," says Paula. "We'll take fabric home and make a quilt top. Then, we bring the finished quilt top to the meeting, and there we'll add batting and a backing to it so that it's ready to be sewn. Then a quilter takes it home and completes it!"

Paula is just one of many Wind Crest artists who connect with other creatives through groups, display opportunities, and the annual Arts and Crafts Fair.

New life to old cards

In addition to teaching classes, Paula is a member of the Women's Club, which creates new greeting cards from previously used ones.

Residents donate cards, in good condition, they have received that they no longer want. Once a week, Paula and other volunteers collect and sort the contributed cards into categories--such as holidays, sympathy, get well, and thinking of you. This makes it easy for the crafters to find the type of cards they need to make their new creations.

Then, members use the fronts or the inside messages of the cards, along with new pieces of paper and their artistic talent, to create unique greeting cards.

"We make cards together and share ideas of how we can create them," Paula says. "We also get to talk with each other. It's fun!"

They sell the one-of-a-kind cards for an affordable price, with proceeds going to the community's philanthropy department, which supports the Resident Care Fund, Student Scholarship Fund, and Staff Appreciation Fund.

Made with love

Linda Burch is a member of the Creative Arts Group, which meets three times a month for residents with varying skills.

"We bring our own projects to work on. We call them UFOs--UnFinished Objects," says Linda, with a laugh. "People do needlepoint, crochet, knitting, jewelry--that sort of thing."

Linda's also a member of Creative Quilters, which meets every Wednesday to cut and layer quilts using donated fabric.

Members of another group, the Hands-On Quilters, bring their own sewing machines and work together in a room, taking breaks to chat and share their work.

Many of the groups' quilts are donated to charities, including the Ronald McDonald House and local hospitals, but some are available for sale at the Arts and Crafts Fair.

On the first weekend in November, Wind Crest holds its annual Arts and Crafts Fair, giving resident artists and groups an opportunity to sell their work. Last year, the fair had 35 different vendors. Many participants donate all or a portion of their proceeds to the community's philanthropy department.

Art on display

Linda and Paula are also on the committee of residents who select artwork to be displayed on walls and in cases in each of the three neighborhoods on campus.

"Resident artists apply to show their original creations for a period of two months. It's often photographs, oil or watercolor paintings, and even needlework," says Linda.

"In the display cases, we show jewelry, pottery, baskets, and wood creations."

Each neighborhood picks a theme, and then residents submit photos of their work that represents the particular topic. The committee then interviews the artists, reviews their creations, and select which ones fit best.

"The residents really look forward to these displays," Linda says.

Staying connected

Besides the joy they get from making and sharing their creations, residents have another reason they enjoy participating in the arts in the community.

"We encourage residents to come by, even if they don't participate. If they just want to come and talk, that's fine. If they want to learn to crochet, someone will teach them," says Linda. "I've done crafts my whole life. But I think the sociability is the most important part."

"I've made so many friends here at Wind Crest that I can't keep track of them all!" says Paula. "I have never lived anywhere where I've had so many friends."

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By Michele Wojciechowski