On July 17, summer volunteers from AYS hosted our very first pilot Arts and Crafts session with TCC residents from the Huntington’s disease unit! We had a variety of stations offering engaging activities such as clay modeling, coloring, and bracelet making. TCC residents were able to pick and choose which stations they wanted to try and were assisted by AYS volunteers with creating their various crafts! This event was the first of its kind hosted by AYS at TCC and was actively engaging for both the volunteers and the residents. Most importantly, it turned out to be a whole lot of fun and a really special chance to connect over art. Everyone involved had a wonderful time!
This session was inspired by an encounter with a resident who showed us her elaborate, beautifully decorated bracelets. We started thinking about how art could be an opportunity for creative expression and a way to learn more about others. The residents we worked with today had Huntington’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to a range of physical, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. As the most prominent challenges include difficulties in movement and speech, having art be a medium of communication felt especially meaningful.
Residents were smiling and enjoying themselves as they unleashed their full creativity in their artistic pieces. Over the three hours, they made a stunning assortment of clay penguins and gnomes, glittering bracelets with their names spelled out in multicolored letters, and brightly colored, eye-catching illustrations.
Emily’s reflections:
I loved how the arts and crafts activities drew out excitement and playfulness from the TCC residents, our volunteers, and the recreation therapists as well! This event was really the highlight of my day and generated so much joy and delight from everyone involved. I especially appreciated how the residents were able to use these activities as an opportunity for artistic self-expression. One of the residents I was assisting at the clay modeling station took this chance to recreate a core memory of her father’s old pickup truck which I thought was extremely touching. In fact, she became really attached to all of her clay modelling pieces and was proudly showing off her 10+ creations at the end! Overall, I loved how the residents were able to thoroughly enjoy themselves and use this opportunity to exercise their creativity. I definitely look forward to hosting another arts initiative soon!
Claire’s reflections:
The arts and crafts event was an incredibly meaningful experience for both the volunteers and residents. Starting from the first moment I transported the residents into the room, their faces lit up with enthusiasm, ready to immerse themselves in the vibrant array of materials. From playing around with clay to coloring, it was evident that making art brought immense joy and a sense of accomplishment to the residents. One particular moment that stood out was helping a patient bead a bracelet. As she directed me on her color preferences, we strung the beads together, one by one. The bracelet came together beautifully and she brimmed with pride while displaying her creation around her wrist. When I came back to visit for another event the next week, she was still wearing the same bracelet! Another resident who made a bracelet that spelled out her name with her favorite color - purple - similarly showed off her design and how it matched her purple outfit. This session reinforced the therapeutic potential of art, providing a meaningful outlet for self-expression that was especially invaluable to connect with many of the residents.
