Details of Project:
Purpose: Increase the well-being of the elderly through art
Funded By: National Endowment for the Arts, North Dakota Council on the Arts
Duration: January 2009 - June 2009
Jamestown Project Coordinator: Stuart Bernard
More Information Email: tbarnes@jamestownartscenter.org
Informational Article...
Art for Life brings workshops to residents of Ave Maria Village
Toni Pirkl, The Jamestown Sun - 01/23/2009
The Arts Center and Ave Maria Village have begun what they hope will be a long-term partnership to increase the well-being of the elderly through art.
Art for Life, a program funded by a $10,000 grant, brings to Ave Maria five artists, chosen by the Arts Center, to provide weeklong workshops for residents once a month. During the six-month on-site program, the artists will focus on hands-on art activities for residents to help reduce what are referred to as "the three plagues of the elderly" — boredom, loneliness and helplessness.
"There are three sites in North Dakota working with the (North Dakota) Council on the Arts on Art for Life," said Taylor Barnes, Arts Center director. "The grant is through the National Endowment for the Arts. Along with the artists in residence there is an equal emphasis on developing staff skills, so they can carry on the program." [Entire Article]
L-R: Bonnie Tressler, Art Center Staff Education Coordinator,
Staff of Ave Maria Village and Stuart Bernard Arts Center Staff Art For Life Coordinator, FRONT: Lila Hauge-Stoffel artist/workshop teacher, Tim Burchill, Ave Maria Director.
Pictures show Art For Life orientation workshop for Ave Maria Village staff, January 20, 2008. Photographs taken by S. Bernard.
 
The following was written by Linda Johnson, one of the Activity Therapists at Ave Maria Village regarding Lila Hauge-Stoffel's residency in February.
WEAVING WONDERS
Residents of Ave Maria Village became weaving wonders as they wove their own artistic wonders using paper, yarn, and raffia. A friendly and sometimes raucous group gathered daily for the tutelage of Lila Hauge-Stoffel, our very own “artist in residence”, who taught us the finer points of weaving. Adding to the interest and excitement were the hands-on demonstrations of carding wool and spinning it into yarn. Lila was a warm, nurturing instructor who naturally brought out the desire of residents to be there, in the art room, participating in new and unfamiliar activities. Residents looked forward to her visits and all that she offered and were often waiting at the door or in an empty room, anticipating the fun they were about to have. In the wake of Lila’s week-long visit we have a beautiful, large wall hanging that artists are proud to show to guests, art supplies that are a great resource for all our artists, and ideas that will be used in ongoing artistic endeavors, reminding us all of the learning and laughter shared in art through the ages. | 
