Arts guild reaches out to Springboard Pallet Village
Milton Arts Guild volunteers have been sharing the joy and power of art with residents at the Springboard Collaborative Pallet Village in Georgetown, a transitional home for those experiencing homelessness.
What started as a group of five residents in the first session 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 during the Monday evening gatherings.
“Our residents have enjoyed this new art night with great energy and pride,” said Christina Diaz-Malone, a Georgetown councilwoman and Springboard Pallet Village manager. “We didn’t know how this would work, but it became clear that our residents were eager – even hungry – for this creative outlet. We all are having fun at these evenings and are grateful to Milton Arts Guild and its artists for their ongoing connection with our residents.”
Although the village has some art supplies on hand, MAG artists bring supplies and offer ideas to residents on something they might like to work on, with samples to follow. The resident artists are also free to work on anything they want to explore.
“We have used our open studio model with the village residents,” said Lynda Rae Gannon, MAG board of directors vice president. “Although we always prepare a particular theme or activity our Springboard friends might enjoy, their own creativity often leads them in their own directions, which is precisely what art is. The results have been beautiful.”
Among the themes MAG has introduced at Springboard is its Hearts Need Art outreach. 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 meal trays to inpatients to bring a little greeting during a hospital stay.
The Springboard residents jumped into the project, creating joyful and whimsical hearts. “This is a wonderful way for our residents to share their hopeful message with others going through a difficult journey,” said Diaz-Malone.
The connection between Milton Arts Guild and Springboard Pallet Village began many months ago. MAG member Suzanne Worrall suggested the guild give some of the art pieces members have donated over the years to Springboard residents to provide a personal touch to the their cabins. MAG donated 30 paintings, which the residents can take with them when they move into permanent homes.
