Missouri Campus Compact Awards $250 Grant for “College Collage”
Pictured above, “Healing space” at CARDV, created through a previous service project similar to College Collage by Westminster students.
Westminster Seminar “College Collage” students will have the opportunity this Fall to embark on a collaborative journey with elderly residents of the Fulton Presbyterian Manor and the disabled at Callaway County Special Services to help them find peace within art, thanks to a $250 grant from Missouri Campus Compact.
It is intimidating to be a freshman who, in a few years, will plummet into the “real world” and have to learn everything the hard way.
Compare that worldview to someone who is elderly – They have lived through the real world and are rich with memories, lessons, and knowledge from decades of experience. They have stories to tell and feelings to express, but may not have a proper way to do so. Artistic opportunity might not be available to them or even discovered yet, for that matter.
“This art collaboration project will allow students to learn stories of people’s lives and empathize with others in the community whose lives are different than their own,” says Dr. Therese Miller, who submitted the grant proposal and leads Westminster’s Department of Exercise Science. “Through experiences such as these, students stretch themselves to learn more about their abilities and skills, the types of community partnerships that they can develop now and later in life, and the professional careers that are possible.”
The Partnership
Once a week, seminar students will visit their disabled or elderly partner and provide the tools and guidance to start creating.
Important aspects like subjectivity and philosophy will also be introduced so the partners can develop an understanding of how art can be used to translate emotions into beautiful pieces.
The Benefit
Art’s therapeutic notions can help express times of happiness, fear, love, or any substantial life experience. The transcendence art evokes is a crucial refuge and communication method that brings happiness and meaning to residents in assisted living facilities. Their voice is important and holds information only obtained by going through life’s courses.
The pieces made through “College Collage” will be featured in the Presbyterian Manor’s February 2015 “Art is Ageless” art display or around the Westminster campus.
