Older Adults Spark Art & Poetry Magic in Marietta!

In the heart of historic Marietta, Ohio, a unique collaboration recently unfolded, bringing together the power of words and abstract art to spark joy, connection and purpose for older adults at United Church Homes’ The Harmar Place and The Glenwood Communities. This spring, poemRENOVATION and Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) joined forces, creating a transformative experience that embodied United Church Homes’ mission of fostering wholeness, belonging and abundant living. Led by Rev. Patricia Vargas, with the creative expertise of Kelly de la Rocha from poemRENOVATION and Amy Elliot from OMA, this partnership offered residents a chance to express themselves in ways that were both meaningful and deeply therapeutic.

The collaboration was a natural fit, as Kelly de la Rocha shared: “The mission of both OMA and poemRENOVATION are so closely aligned, we really make perfect partners. Both organizations promote a rule-free approach to self-expression, using different artistic mediums—OMA’s is abstract artmaking, poemRENOVATION’s is words.” The idea took root when Kelly and Amy connected over Zoom, bonding over their shared vision. Their plans solidified in February 2025 at the Ohio Health Care Association’s Conference in Columbus, where they decided to launch the collaboration during Kelly’s April visit as part of United Church Homes’ Entrepreneur in Residence Program. Rev. Patricia Vargas, a beloved chaplain and facilitator at both communities, eagerly stepped in to make it happen. “I recognized the natural synergy between poetry and visual art,” Rev. Patricia explained, noting how she had already begun integrating the two in her own projects.

The workshops, held at Harmar Place and Glenwood, were a vibrant blend of creativity and community. Eight residents at The Glenwood Community and six at The Harmar Place Community participated, guided by the mantra of poemRENOVATION: “No rules, just create!” The sessions began with a heartfelt rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” setting a warm, uplifting tone. Residents then used colorful poemRENOVATION word blocks to craft poems or phrases, drawing inspiration from a verse of the song “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Following this, they created abstract art inspired by their words, later gluing their poetic creations onto their artwork. The result? Stunning pieces that captured their emotions and stories, like 100-year-old Marietta’s sunflower painting at The Harmar Place Community, paired with her poem:

You are the sunbeams
To flowers in spring.
Robins are mine.
They shine, gleam.
The best, the stars for free there
Things that are life
The moon and me
They belong to everyone
Everyone sing

Marietta, who passed away shortly after the workshop, found immense joy in the process. “It comes to a good STOP for me, you know, I love it,” she said, her hands trembling as she signed her artwork with pride. Her smile, as she held up her creation and requested a song, was a testament to the emotional uplift the program provided. Kelly reflected, “I loved that people went away with work they were proud of, and how that work inspired meaningful conversations.”

The impact went far beyond the canvas. At The Glenwood Community, 15 local high school art students joined the residents, fostering intergenerational connections that Amy Elliot, OMA’s director, champions. Amy shared, “I was amazed by the depth of intergenerational connection inspired by both the poem and the OMA art-making activities. It was a true joy to witness the type of conversations and connections that the words combined with the visual artmaking seemed to generate for the students and residents.” She noted the reciprocity in these interactions, with both groups giving and receiving appreciation, creating shared experiences that bridged generational gaps. “Amy’s dedication to fostering intergenerational friendship through creative art experiences is incredible,” Rev. Patricia added. The students’ kindness and enthusiasm brought laughter and warmth, enhancing the sense of community.

At The Harmar Place Community, the magic continued. Amy observed, “It was wonderful to learn how excited the residents were to engage in both activities! After experiencing poemRENOVATION with Kelly that week, residents were ready to go with the words and clearly had experience with OMA activities through Rev. Patricia.” Rev. Patricia’s warmth and facilitation skills set a fantastic tone, as her deep connection with the residents shined through. “Their love for her was apparent,” Amy noted. Residents moved quickly into a “flow state,” where the combination of words and abstract artmaking tapped into their unique creative expression. “It was as if both activities in combination unlocked something special,” Amy said. “The result was magical—a true community at its absolute best.” For Amy, the poems paired with the art offered a window into the beautiful individuals she spent the day with, leaving her feeling honored to be part of the process.

The collaboration’s success was due in part to the seamless teamwork of Kelly, Amy and Rev. Patricia. Kelly brought her journalistic skills, encouraging residents to share the stories behind their creations, while Amy’s passion for intergenerational connection and her role as OMA’s director ensured everyone felt supported. Rev. Patricia, deeply loved by the residents, handled logistics with care, from preparing materials to arranging student volunteers. Rev. Patricia shared. “It was a team effort, and we enjoyed the process.”

The emotional and social benefits were profound. Residents left the workshops smiling, their confidence boosted by their creations. “Some people came in agitated or unsure, but left smiling,” Kelly observed. For those with dementia, the program stimulated memory connections, as Rev. Patricia noted: “It reopens pathways once thought lost.” The shared experience created a sense of belonging, with conversations lingering long after the sessions. “They talk about this afterward,” Rev. Patricia said. “It goes farther than the moment.”

This collaboration reflects United Church Homes’ vision of abundant living, where older adults are encouraged to find purpose and joy in every stage of life. By blending poetry and abstract art, poemRENOVATION and OMA opened new doors for expression, connection, and healing, proving that creativity knows no age. As we celebrate this partnership, we’re reminded of the power of community and the beauty of empowering every resident to shine—like sunbeams, robins, and stars—for free, for everyone.

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Opening Minds Through Art is a person-directed program of the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This is a donor funded program at United Church Homes that includes training for certified OMA facilitators who lead the program in our communities. To support our memory care programming, visit our website at unitedchurchhomes.org.