Twin Fountains art featured at High Museum

Contributed

ATLANTA – Charlotte McClendon says her 86th birthday on Sunday, April 9, is the best one she’s ever had. In fact, she can’t think of another one that’s even come close.

She spent it at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art with six fellow residents from Twin Fountains Home —Gary Jenkins, Nancy Jones, Brenda Register, Mattie Stinchcomb, Jeanie Walker and Jackie White — along with a handful of family members and Twin Fountains team members. In the High Museum’s expansive Taylor Lobby in the Wieland Pavilion, McClendon and her friends from Twin Fountains each sat beside a brightly colored acrylic-on-canvas piece of artwork displayed on an easel and soaked in the compliments from museum visitors.

“When my mom told me they were going to display their works on April 9, I said, ‘But, do you realize that will be on your birthday?’” said Sheila Chastain of Gainesville, one of McClendon’s daughters. “She said, ‘I know, and what a wonderful gift it will be.’”

The High Museum displayed their art as part of its “Second Sunday” program, a time when all visitors receive free admission to see special family-friendly programming. The average attendance for Second Sundays in 3,000 to 5,000 visitors.

Their art came about when Andria Powell, Twin Fountain’s activities coordinator, contacted the High Museum, told them about the works the residents had created and asked if displaying their art was a possibility.

According to Nicole Cromartie, the museum’s manager of family programs, featuring art from nursing home residents hadn’t been done at least in the two years she has served there.

“I thought, ‘Well, why not?’” Cromartie said. “We’re always trying to think of programs that will appeal to families and to different age groups, from toddlers to older adults. We thought it was a great idea because their art certainly fit into our programming.”

In fact, Cromartie said that with the residents’ art featuring primarily landscapes, their works complemented one of the museum’s current main exhibits, “Cross Country: The Power of Place in American Art, 1915-1950.”

Led by Powell, the artists meet monthly at Twin Fountains Home to work on their pieces, which were each painted collectively.

“I usually provide a picture of something we can model the work after, and of course, their art turns out to be rather different from the picture because several people are involved in creating it,” Powell said. “I’m not an artist, so it really makes me feel good to see a blank canvas and then see how everyone puts their own touches on it and brings it to life together.”

Powell said she makes wedding cakes, and she loves the feeling of knowing when she’s created something beautiful.

“I’m sure they have felt the same way about this experience,” she said. “When you create something, you really feel accomplished. It’s gratifying, and it gives you a sense of self-worth.”

As they sat beside their artwork, the hustle and bustle of visitors echoed on the expansive wood floors in the lobby, where the sunshine poured in the windows that seemed to reach to the sky. The Twin Fountains residents answered questions about their work from a little girl wearing Minnie Mouse ears, college students who sang “Happy Birthday” to McClendon, young 30-somethings who gave high-fives and hugs, and fellow older adults in wheelchairs who felt comfort in grasping the hands of those who had created the beautiful works and not wanting to let go.

One young artist said, “Your work needs to be upstairs in the galleries.” A young teenager whispered to her dad, “These are beautiful.”

One lady in a wheelchair brought her service dog and thanked the residents for sharing their work with the museum visitors.

“Thank you for this,” she said. “You’ve truly given us a gift today.”

News

Mary Joy Moosman Foundation rides again

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dick Yarbrough: Paying tribute to one who made this a better world

News

Hogansville to host barbecue competition and music festival

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dean Collins: Each new day offers a new challenge to seize each new opportunity

News

LaGrange holds first Juneteenth Parade to celebrate freedom and unity

News

PHOTOS: LaGrange Juneteenth Parade

News

LaGrange native receives honors from US Department of the Navy

News

50 DAM YEARS: West Point Dam celebrates milestone

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Bill King: Fifty Years Didn’t Take as Long as I Thought

News

Armed robbery on Old Airport Road

News

LaGrange hosts first town hall for Comprehensive Plan update

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – John Tures: Why Pell Grants Matter To YOU, Not Just College Students

News

The Gathering Ministry to host fifth annual Back to School Bash

News

PHOTOS: Wynonna Judd performs at Sweetland

News

Heroes honored for courageous lifesaving efforts

News

Troup County Schools receive No Kid Hungry Grant to combat summer hunger

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Loran Smith: Cashiers

News

AT&T cuts ribbon on fiber optic internet service in LaGrange

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dean Collins: The Questions We’d Rather Avoid

News

LaGrange Piano Teen Drama Club to perform High School Musical Jr.

News

LaGrange Fire Department to Host Blood Drive on Friday, June 13

News

LaGrange City Councilman Leon Childs honored for completing GMA Leadership Program

News

Chamber cuts ribbon on West Georgia Deep Clean

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – John Tures: What A Father Can Give His Kids: A Good Name