Over the years, our arts programming has always been eclectic, embracing music (vocal and instrumental performance and music appreciation), writing (including poetry and screenwriting), acting (including improv), dance (including hip-hop), visual arts (including sculpture and painting), and crafts (including pottery, crochet, and making holiday decorations). We encourage our residents to stretch their imaginations, experiment, and have fun.
Crafting at Magnolia@Highland Senior Apartments often means exploring creativity in unexpected areas. In February, the resident artists started a new project with Teaching Artist Alma: making fascinator hats! However, the project was so exciting that it quickly inspired them to want to learn how to make other hat styles, too, including a cowboy hat, a cap, a fedora, and more. As the design process evolved, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the creative challenge, including Alma.
The hats began to take shape as residents stitched multiple types of fabrics by hand and with their new sewing machine. Alma encouraged them to design something uniquely their own.
The finished creations were exciting to behold! They had been working on these hats for months and had been talking about the outfits and shoes they would wear with them. There needed to be a special celebration to showcase the hats for neighbors and friends.
What better than an Oscar Party, complete with red carpet?!
Last minute adjustments were made (even with the new sewing machine breaking down!), accessories were chosen, and the group was ready to show off their work .
On June 12th, as the class participants arrived at the event, cell phones were raised by the other guests to take their pictures, and they were each greeted with applause and hugs.
Everyone ate, laughed, and danced to DJ David’s music.
At the end of the celebration, the guests voted for the best hat, and the top four were awarded a mini-Oscar and a gift card. The winners were:
1st – Gail (in pink, channeling Jessica Rabbit)
2nd – Bobbi (in purple with the bucket hat)
3rd – Marie (in black with the feather hat and fan)
4th – Rita (in brown leather with the cowboy hat)
Congratulations to all of our talented artists, Program Director Jessica (below with Bobbi), and Teaching Artist Alma (who declined having a photo included here!) for a wonderful, creative, EngAGEing arts and community-building experience!
