January 22, 2025
Sometimes, having fun means getting your hands dirty.
Every Monday morning, Newport House, an Immanuel long-term care and skilled nursing community, offers a ceramics class combining creativity and therapeutic benefits. From 9:30 to 11 a.m., residents gather in the recreation room to craft and paint ceramic projects as part of the community’s recreational therapy program.
The ceramics class ensures residents have a meaningful and achievable creative experience. Recreation Therapist Mary Kelly-Johnson, who leads the program, said she purchases a variety of projects that the residents are able to successfully complete.
“Residents will ask me to look for certain projects, and I try to accommodate their wishes,” she said. “I try to guide them in choosing projects that they can work on independently, will enjoy painting, and that they have the level of ability to finish.”
Using fired glazes, which provide vibrant colors and better results than acrylics, residents work on projects ranging from holiday decorations to practical items. Staff assist with finishing touches as needed, ensuring a polished final product.
Participation in the ceramics class fosters both individual accomplishment and community interaction. Rosie Linnenbrink, a Newport House resident, appreciates the opportunity to leave her room and socialize. Her creations include a ceramic mushroom for her garden, Christmas trees and angels.
“I enjoy getting out of my room and visiting with other people,” she said.
Janet Jones, another regular attendee, enjoys the class’s creative variety.
“I made a bright red dragon with yellow eyes,” Janet said, noting that it was a gift for her grandson. Her other projects include a wide range of animals and flowers, many of which become cherished gifts for family members.
Leona Era, who joined the class two months ago, finds satisfaction in creating pieces for her home. She’s working on a tulip bowl to match a lamp but has also completed seasonal decorations and Christmas-themed items.
“(The ceramics) make nice gifts,” she said.
Beyond crafting, the ceramics class offers residents a structured, purposeful activity that enhances their well-being.
“The residents feel great about their completed projects and often use them as gifts for their loved ones,” Mary said. “It can give them feelings of self-worth, empowerment, and satisfaction.”
For residents like JoAnn Leo, the class is an opportunity to explore new ideas.
“I’ve made ceramics before, but I never made a heart,” she says of her current project, a heart-shaped dish.
Other residents, like Sandy Becher, enjoy the social aspect of the class.
“It’s fun to visit with the other ladies and talk about where they are from and what they like to do,” Sandy said.
The ceramics class is one of many activities available at Newport House. In addition to crafting, residents enjoy card games, music, and special events like performances by an Elvis Presley impersonator. These programs enrich residents’ lives and provide meaningful ways to connect with others.
