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Residents at The Palace Gardens in Homestead are exploring their creativity and making a difference with their art creations.
While they don’t aspire to be famous painters like Claude Monet, “Grandma” Anna Moses or Pablo Picasso, their passion for giving back to others is fueling their creativity.
The devoted group of residents at the assisted living community have been attending a weekly arts and crafts class. The finished pieces were sold to raise money for a recent back-to-school event, benefiting underprivileged students in the Homestead area. The money generated from sales was used to give the students school supplies and tablets.
The class is taught by professional instructor Terri Dawkins, the owner of Mud Puddle Ceramics. Studies in the fields of art therapy and other creative outlets confirm art can induce both psychological and physiological healing.
According to Bruce Miller, a behavioral neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco, while brains inevitably age, creative abilities do not necessarily deteriorate. In fact, the aging brain has been proven in studies to respond well to art by allowing the brain’s two hemispheres to work in tandem.
The Palace’s class offers resident Mary Lou Ardrey, 93, the opportunity to pursue her creativity. She also shares her talents with her neighbors, helping them draw and sketch.
She always has had a passion for art and the theater and loves drawing and painting. In addition to creating projects in the art class, she works on her craft in her residence.
“I was inspired by the fundraising efforts of the back-to-school event. I hope my projects inspire creativity in children,” she said. “It’s important for kids to express themselves through art.”
Similarly, Jane Silva, 91, always has loved arts and crafts. An accomplished seamstress, she made her daughter’s wedding dress. Her grandkids and great-grandkids sometimes attend the senior living community’s arts and craft class with her.
“Seeing the final projects created in Terri’s class is inspiring,” she said. “I hope my art can inspire children by showing them you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Homestead Councilmember Larry Roth, president and co-founder of This is for The Kids Inc., has been helping Palace residents sell their art pieces on Facebook. Residents’ artwork also was sold at family events at The Palace. Pieces sold for $10 and contain a message regarding Alzheimer’s disease.
“Each art piece created by our residents is made with love and shows their attention to detail,” said Alexandra Urdaneta, director of activities. “Residents embrace the community’s program, “The Palace Cares,” and feel so good about their ability to give back to the community by helping others.”
The Palace Gardens is located just off Campbell Drive, across from Homestead Baptist Hospital. For more information, call 305-247-0446 or visit thepalacegardens.com.
