Pictured, from left, Alice Brown, Duane Gable, Michael Conley,
Janet Hudson and Doris Stiver.

WINONA LAKE  —  ARTcare, the art therapy program offered at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, is helping to provide residents with both physical and mental benefits.

Michael Conley, CNA, is the art instructor. According to Conley, administration has been very supportive of this program, providing a large room for the classes and supplies. The art classes are offered on Mondays, with approximately 15 healthcare residents attending the morning session and approximately 17 assisted living residents attending the afternoon class.

The class provides residents with a place to get away from their normal routines and become socially connected with other residents. There are also cognitive and physical benefits to the art therapy. Conley states that the individuals involved in the art therapy program show a reduction in agitation and improvements in mood, attention span, cognitive processes, social engagement, strength and balance.

A recent grant from Kosciusko County Community Foundation enabled Grace Village to purchase bulletin boards, track lighting and easels for the ARTcare program. At the present time, the program mostly involves drawing and painting projects.  Conley hopes to incorporate leather tooling and possibly small ceramics in the future. His goal is to eventually offer the art program classes three days a week and to be able to include residents from the independent living section of the facility.

Their first art exhibit is tentatively scheduled for March 31.