“Within all of us, creativity lies waiting to be awakened and expressed, bringing new chances for confidence, connection, purpose, and joy.” This is the sentiment expressed by Minnesota-based Aroha Philanthropies and adopted by UMRC & Porter Hills through the Art of Aging Program. For five years, in partnership with local teaching artists, UMRC & Porter Hills has encouraged residents to learn many different art mediums, create beautiful pieces of artwork, and embark on a path of lifelong learning. The Art of Aging program exemplifies our belief that arts can fuel our passions, purpose, and well-being, no matter what our age.
As part of our Art of Aging program, Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC)’s Glazier Commons and Towsley Village residents recently had the opportunity to participate in the first Fused Glass class. At December’s culminating event, eleven residents showcased their incredible fused glass artwork for friends, family, and neighbors at the Towsley Village Town Center.
Led by local teaching artist, Cheryl Cameron, residents learned the history of the art form, techniques, and ultimately created their own beautiful fused glass pieces. Each resident had the opportunity to create a variety of work to showcase at the culminating event, including coasters, candy dishes, wall pockets, and a decorative bowl. The design of these pieces was left completely to the creativity of each resident. Residents used pre-cut pieces of colorful, iridescent glass to create their designs, which were then fired in a kiln to finish the pieces. The resulting pieces were as elaborate, colorful, and refined as each unique artist. Instructor Cheryl Cameron says, “The joy and excitement on participants faces each week as they walked in the door to the classroom was priceless. It was so fun for everyone involved!”
The origins of fused glass have been traced back to ancient Egyptian times, when artists utilized available sheets of glass to create their work. Over time, fused glass evolved to the art form practiced by Glazier Commons and Towsley Village residents, to include many different forms of glass in the creation of artwork, such as frit, or powder, iridized colored film, and dichroic glass, originally used on the heat protection panels for space shuttles.
Since 2017, generous grant funding to the UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation from Aroha Philanthropies and other local funders, including the Chelsea Community Foundation and Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club, has helped provide excellent arts programming for residents. Today, residents continue to be excited for more and more creative opportunities. Over 200 of our residents have expanded their knowledge and understanding of arts through these art courses. To date, these have included mediums such as: watercolor, acrylic painting, ukulele, chimes, mosaics, pencil drawing, pottery, creative writing, theater, fused glass, and more.
To learn more about Chelsea Retirement Community and the other excellent locations and quality services that UMRC & Porter Hills offers, visit our website at umrcph2022.wpengine.com.