Local artist shares ‘special ministry of love’
Artist Lana Beck, Belle Plaine native, has been painting murals to represent Kingsway Retirement Living residents for more than eight years. The collaboration began with Lana regularly hosting art classes for residents of our independent and assisted living communities in Kingsway’s craft room.
The artwork created in the classes was displayed in a designated ‘art gallery’ in the building. One of the residents who was a regular attendee transitioned to Sophie’s Suites, our Memory Care unit.
Lana began hosting art classes there as well, which allowed the artistic abilities of many residents to shine, and seemed to strike a special chord with residents who were experiencing memory loss.
After seeing the positive effect of art on the residents, a former leader at Kingsway asked Lana to personalize a mural near the entrance to each resident’s door in Sophie’s Suites.
Lana’s hope for the murals’ impact on the residents is that “even in confusion, seeing something that spoke to [the resident’s] life might offer a sense of confidence to know this is where they belong. Their home.”
Today, Lana continues to create unique works of art for residents soon after they move in. To Lana, it is a “special ministry of love” that she feels honored to offer. Since its inception, the mural-creating process involves Lana visiting with a resident to chat asking questions in hopes to might spark a strong memory.
In addition, Mary Schmitz, our Life Enrichment Coordinator, reaches out to the residents’ loved ones asking questions. Possible questions include:
- What is most important to the resident?
- What does the resident value in life?
- What is their legacy?
Through these questions, we hope the murals represent the resident and what they consider important. With an understanding of the resident, Lana begins to paint. With a few swift strokes of a brush, what was once a blank wall becomes a colorful vision into a resident’s past.
The resident, along with their peers, often gather to watch Lana paint as she transforms the resident’s story into a beautiful image in front of them. The murals are a sense of pride for our residents as they represent both their history and legacy. It’s also something they can share with others.
“It never ceases to amaze me, when someone grew up on a farm and I paint a barn or fence or tractor, how the smile and head nod automatically happens,” Lana explained. “Sometimes it’s flowers or teaching or baking or fishing that brings the smile. Sometimes pride shows up when they see their name or a pretty sky.”
The murals in Sophie’s Suites are a source of comfort and safe harbor for our residents guiding them to their home. They serve as valuable tools for our caregivers as they interact with the residents. Much like a book, each mural tells a story about the resident it represents.
Starting a conversation about the globe painted on the wall outside of a resident’s door might lead to an opportunity for the resident to share about their adventures as a world-traveling missionary.
When Lana is complimented on her artwork, she immediately points upward and gives all the credit to God.
“It’s a gift from God that I feel honored to share,” said Lana. “I often feel that I am lucky enough to hold the brush, while God guides the process and inspiration.”
The residents’ families also recognize the value of the murals.
“There is so little residents can control in their environment, so having a custom mural makes [my dad’s] suite more personal,” explained Sandy Luehrs, whose father Ron Oelfke recently received his own mural at Kingsway. “If a pictures worth a thousand words, then a custom mural is at least worth 100,000 words!” She added that her father is “very proud of the artwork on his wall.”
Susy Dahlke, Ron’s daughter and Sandy’s sister, praised the way that “[Lana] brought his memories to life on the wall” and said that her dad’s mural “is truly a priceless gift.”
Kingsway looks forward to continuing their partnership with Lana and bringing many more memories to life.