Volunteers from the Milton Arts Guild shared the joy and power of art with residents of the Springboard Collaborative Pallet Village in Georgetown, a transitional homeless shelter.
What began with a group of five residents at the first meeting has grown to a dozen or more participants. MAG artists and their Pallet Village neighbors share enthusiasm, creativity, good humor and a sense of community at the Monday night meetings.
“Our residents have enjoyed this new art night with great energy and pride,” said Christina Diaz-Malone, Georgetown City Councilor and Springboard Pallet Village Director. “We didn’t know how this would work, but it became clear that our residents were excited – hungry even – for this creative outlet. We all enjoy these nights and are grateful to the Milton Arts Guild and its artists for their continued connection with our residents.”
Although the village has some art supplies, MAG artists bring materials and offer residents ideas for things they want to work on, with examples they can follow. Resident artists are also free to work on anything they want to explore.
“We used our open studio model with the villagers,” said Lynda Rae Gannon, vice president of the MAG board. “Although we always prepare a specific theme or activity that our Springboard friends might enjoy, their own creativity often leads them in their own directions, and that’s what art is. The results were beautiful.”
Among the themes MAG has featured at Springboard is the Hearts Need Art initiative. For nearly two years, artists and visitors to the Guild’s Federal Street Gallery in Milton have been encouraged to design and decorate hearts. MAG then delivers the hearts to Bayhealth’s Milford campus and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilmington. The hearts are delivered on trays to inpatients to give them a little treat during their hospital stay.
Springboard residents have fully embraced the project, creating cheerful and whimsical hearts. “This is a wonderful way for our residents to share their message of hope with others who are going through a difficult journey,” Diaz-Malone said.
The connection between the Milton Arts Guild and Springboard Pallet Village began many months ago. MAG member Suzanne Worrall suggested the Guild gift some of the artwork members have donated over the years to Springboard residents to add a personal touch to their cottages. MAG donated 30 paintings for residents to take with them when they move into permanent homes.
