When we enter our retirement years and subsequently can’t live on our own anymore, we sure do hope to end up at a place like Havenwood-Heritage Heights.
They’ve got an ice cream parlor, a pool table and tap maple trees around the campus in the spring. And those are just a few of the things we caught a glimpse of last week when we stopped by to check out the reception for Art From the Heart.
It was a recent 10-week program for older adults, persons with disabilities and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease who call Havenwood home. Thursday’s reception was a way to celebrate what the residents had accomplished with friends, family and other residents – and us, of course. It was the second year of the program and the impact it had on the residents who participated was seen pretty early on.
“It was great last year so we decided to do it again,” said Sue Pollock, director of programs, therapeutic recreation and volunteers at Havenwood.
June Latti, who led the program, worked at the Merrimack County Nursing Home as the activities director for 15 years. They had similar programs there, so when Pollock saw her name on a list for art instructors that worked in healthcare facilities, she asked her to run the program.
During the course of the 10 weeks, Latti talked about famous artists and would bring in works of art or still life setups for the residents to paint. But they could really paint whatever they wanted. The program was held weekly, but residents could skip weeks if they wanted to or be at all 10. Some focused on one painting over multiple classes, while others created pieces that were finished in a single session. It was really all up to what they were interested in.
“I believe that everybody has a creative nature,” Latti said. “And painting is completely subjective. You cannot make a mistake.”
Latti would set up the easels, get the acrylic paint out and the water cups. She’d put an apron at each station and play classical music, so when the residents walked in, they could just paint. If they asked, Latti, who also taught art classes at the Currier Museum in Manchester, would offer instruction. If not, she’d just observe and share ideas to get started.
“They’d sit there for two hours and paint,” Latti said.
More than 20 residents took part, and there was a wide range of experience.
“There was one resident who used to paint and hadn’t done it for years and years,” Pollock said.
One resident, 98-year-old Nancy Ward, really enjoyed the class – so much she took part both years.
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Ward said. “June is an excellent teacher.”
Ward said it felt natural to paint.
“We had absolute freedom to do whatever we wanted, any way we wanted,” Ward said.
And as you can see from the photos, there was some pretty good work being done – and a lot of variety.
“When you pick up that brush and you put that color down on the canvas, something happens,” Latti said.
And it’s safe to say the work these residents created is probably much better than what we would have done.
