Student wins $5k for resident’s portrait
An intergenerational program sees secondary students paint the portraits of aged care residents.
A year 11 student has won first place in the Lifeview’s Reilly Art Prize for her portrait of Emerald Glades resident Doug on his much-loved drumkit.
In the program, secondary students from four schools fostered relationships with aged care residents at Lifeview’s four homes and painted their portraits.
Inaugural winner – Emerald Secondary College student Luka Kill, 17, discovered a shared a love of music with Doug, who drummed with a band called The Silhouettes.
“Doug and I really connected and built a friendship over our shared love of playing drums and other instruments, like the ukulele,” Ms Kill said.
“He always took the time to connect with me, eager to share stories and his love of music.”
Cranbourne Secondary College visual arts coordinator Karl Pandolfo said participating students gained enormous benefits from the program, well beyond art.
“The ability to work with someone in the community and make relationships, and to create an artwork of the person in two terms of working on it, was a really good outcome for all the students involved.”
Ms Kill, who won $5,000 for first place, gifted resident Doug the winning portrait. He said the finished artwork was impressive and that he horoughly enjoyed the program and getting to know Ms Kill in the process.
“I’ve had a great time, and [Luka] is so clever to have drawn this piece,” Doug said. “It’s been just wonderful.”
All participating students and their families joined Lifeview residents, staff and other dignitaries at an event at Lifeview Willow Wood in Cranbourne to showcase their finished work.
Lifeview chief executive officer Samantha Jewell said it had been wonderful to see the students and residents interacting so positively through the program.
Ms Jewell said she loved the winning piece.
“It really captures the essence of Doug – he loves his drums, and he’s always smiling and bringing everyone together at Emerald Glades,” Ms Jewell told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Art is a personal interpretation, so for young adults to put their view on the person they have built a relationship with is fantastic. The program is designed to break down generational barriers and it certainly has done that.”
She added: “Aged care homes should not be hidden away. We need to demonstrate that it is an accessible and welcoming place for people to live. Younger people should not be afraid to enter an aged care home, and there is life and fun inside Lifeview homes. Art also doesn’t require too much physical exertion from the residents. They love to chat and be engaged, which is what we have seen throughout this new program.”
Students from Cranbourne Secondary College, Monbulk College, Alkira Secondary College and Emerald Secondary College took part in the program this year, and there are hopes for expansion in year two with more colleges already expressing their interest in taking part.
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