A new year brings new opportunities to enhance and expand our recreation program. One project is the expansion of our Therapeutic Arts and Crafts Program, thanks to the Horton Family Endowment for the Arts. This endowment honors Sherri Lippman’s parents, Henie and Roy Horton, who were very active in the art community. Sherri, who obviously inherited her parents’ love for the arts, is currently working in a special capacity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Sherri, who visited one of our crafts programs, was inspired to see our residents at work busily creating beautiful handcrafted items. After meeting with Therapeutic Arts and Crafts Coordinator Maria Chan, Sherri felt she wanted to help us enhance the current program by creating an endowment to fund permanent rotating art shows, teachers for special classes and demonstrations, trips to local museums, increased staff support and even art therapy for the staff.
Expansion of our program began in January 2009 by incorporating a special art program into the monthly calendar called “Art of the Masters.” Teacher, Constance Seugling from Creative Notions, offers inspirational stories of featured artists as well as large posters of their artwork. During the hands-on portion of the program, the residents have the opportunity to create their own artwork using the media of the featured artist. Our first class featured the work of Berthe Morisot. After viewing her art work and hearing her personal story, the residents had the opportunity to work in her chosen medium – soft pastels. The results were beautiful! The completed work was matted and is displayed in participating residents’ rooms.
Any “art lover” can contribute to the Horton Family Endowment for the Arts, or sponsor an Art of the Masters program. Please contact the Recreation Department for further details at 201-750-4237.