The Piper, an assisted living and memory care community at 2300 N. 113th Terrace, Kansas City, Kan., will hold an art workshop, “Portrait of a Family,” at 6 p.m. Dec. 14.
It is the second art workshop in a series of three in which families and children will work with Kansas City Art Institute Hugh Merrill to create a collage artwork representing each family. The artwork is made from reproductions of photos, and stories about childhood are included.
The first session was Dec. 1, and offered instruction in scanning photos and mapping participants’ childhoods. Seniors and their family members brought in their family photos.
At today’s program, participants will cut and paste to make a collage of multiple family images. Family members will be prompted to write stories, make lists and use their childhood maps from the first week to complete the collages.
During the final session at 6 p.m. Jan. 11, the collages will be returned to the families as they complete their two pieces of artwork.
“It’s such a great honor to have someone with the stature of Hugh Merrill come to our community for this wonderful project,” said Steve Shields, co-owner of The Piper. “This will be a great opportunity for our residents and their families to work with a professional artist to come together and make more than just art. They will make a lasting memory that will become a keepsake to pass on to future generations.”
Participants for the workshop will include residents of The Piper and their families, as well as anyone who may be considering a move to The Piper, seniors living in the Hazelwood neighborhood, and those who are “friends” of The Piper.
The Piper was built according to the Household Model, developed by co-founders Shields and LaVrene Norton. It strives to make a cultural change in the way care is given to residents. It’s staffed by familiar caregivers who are there to partner with residents as they live life with a strong measure of independence and responsibility.
– From Brian Spano, public relations, The Piper