Craft Club Gives Creative Voice to Residents at Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2026 — Throughout the year, the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (LCCNR) offers programs and events that engage the mind and body to help foster a healthy community for the residents.
Recently, the facility’s Resident Craft Club (RCC) celebrated the completion of an 8-monthlong series of creative art workshops by hosting an art show and silent auction. The art installation transformed the LCCNR’s “Main Street” hall into a vibrant gallery of community artwork crafted through artistic mediums learned during the course.
Pam Hill has been the RCC program coordinator for the last 15 years and has seen how this kind of activity brightens the residents’ daily lives.
“Every piece lining the walls of Main Street carries an unseen triumph—a moment of regained dexterity, a spark of an old memory, or the discovery of a brand-new talent,” said Hill, who also serves as the facility’s receptionist and telephone operator. “The Garden of Life Adult Day Care Program, residents, staff, and volunteers poured their hearts into the collection and it shows.”
Peter Donlon, LCCNR director of leisure time activities, explained why these classes make such a difference for those who call the facility home.
“A lot of residents may have had an interest in trying but might not have had the time or confidence,” he said. “Pam and her volunteers have done a great job giving them opportunities and making new art experiences possible.”
Eight years ago, Hill’s passion for the residents inspired her to first pursue an Arts Ignite Grant through the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA). The funding she acquired made it possible to bring in professional artisans in such mediums as ceramics, fabric painting, and LP spin art to teach their craft to the community.
“Last year was the first that we concluded the program with an art show,” said Hill. “We expected the show to be well received but were unprepared for the number of gallery visitors who wanted to purchase the art pieces.”
When the 2026 program began in January, the coordinators asked participants if they would be interested in auctioning off their work during the art show in August, and the idea was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
“Residents truly looked forward to it,” said RCC co-chair Sue Carpenter who will succeed Hill as program coordinator next year. “They are proud of themselves and what they’re able to accomplish.”
In the end, the RCC art show and silent auction served as the ideal capstone for another year of Arts Ignite Grant programming, and the group was able to raise $669 that goes directly to funding future RCC activities.
“Pam and I are firm believers that each person here deserves a good life and to know they are a meaningful part of the community,” said Carpenter. “None of this would have happened without Pam’s efforts year after year.”
Hill explained how grateful they are for the support of the surrounding community.
“The grant from the GVCA is instrumental to the program, and the generosity of community members, like Leaning Tower Pizza that donated boxes to protect the lovely vinyl spin art as it dried, reminds our residents that they are valued,” she said.
To express their deep gratitude, LCCNR Activities Director Peter Donlon along with Hill and Carpenter presented unique, custom spin art pieces as thank-you gifts to Karen Canning, interim director of GVCA, and Ben Rudney of Leaning Tower Pizza.
For Hill, this year was especially meaningful as she prepares to hand over the leadership role, but she is confident the RCC will continue to delight and impress.
“Every chance they get, the staff, volunteers, and residents of LCCNR prove that age and circumstance are no barrier to expression,” said Hill. “Together, we continue to ‘ignite the arts’ in Livingston County.”
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, events, and more by following Livingston County on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
