By: Claudia Miller
Sanford Care Center Vermillion (SCCV) is home to many dynamic and creative residents. Now, the facility will also be sporting a new pair of wings. The seventh creation for “Wings Project” showcases over 100 hand-painted feathers aimed to inspire.
Vivid colors, life-size photo opportunities and a carefully selected message accompany the elaborate set. Residents, families and caretakers at the facility painted their personalities onto every
Sanford Arts Vermillion (SAV) Program Coordinator Ari Albright planned the uplifting series from an arts in health perspective. Albright credits Jamie Richardson for the idea. She and Albright have known each other for years as colleagues at the South Dakota Arts Council Artists in Schools and Communities Program (SDAC AISCP).
“Jamie and I have discussed visual arts projects over the years. She is apt to send me photos or links of artwork and processes she finds inspiring,” Albright said. “She asked me if I could develop something like the ‘Wings Project.’”
Over 80 individuals in the Care Center contributed to its newly finished wings. Residents played an instrumental role from the beginning.
“I developed the idea first with the residents of SCCV,” said Albright. “They have been so involved and supportive over the last six years I’ve been here, with hundreds of successful projects."
Albright sees the potential of arts in healthcare and education. The positive presence of wings throughout history fits perfectly into these delicate settings. From winged Assyrian lamassu protectors, Greek gods and Christian angels, wings often symbolize power and safety.
The creative process begins by painting 120 lb. watercolor paper with tempera colors using a gradation or “ombré” painting technique. Approximately three feather shapes are cut from each sheet of the painted paper.
“I estimate having cut well over 1,000 feather shapes during the past year,” said Albright.
The next step opens feathers up to their creative potential. Collaborators paint their own designs onto each feather with white tempera paint. This process adds numerous valuable interactions. Varnishing each painted feather with acrylic medium preserves designs and offers a glossy appearance.
Students learning from Albright’s Arts in Healthcare courses at the University of South Dakota also lent their hands to the project. The bright minds put their imagination and skill to work on the structural details.
“At the time of the wings project, I was teaching the Materials Use and Safety course at USD,” said Albright. “Students were given a pile of 150+ painted paper feathers and were asked to solve this creative question of constructing the wings.”
Many lives touched the seven sets of “Wings Project.” Along with USD and SCCV, wings came to life at the Sioux Falls Sanford Cancer Center, Valley Springs Elementary, Flandreau Indian School, Kimball Public School and Sioux Falls, The Lifescapes Center for the Arts. Albright has served as an artist in residence with the SDAC AISCP since 2007.
“The opportunity to bring this project to my four SDAC AISCP residencies could answer the question ‘How can art projects work along the whole life spectrum? ’” said Albright. “What creative components are applicable depending on age, interest and abilities?”
Look out for the Care Center’s new wings. Installation plans are set for August 10, 2018. To learn more about the project, contact Albright at ariadne.albright@sanfordhealth.org.