Image: Margret Beaver with lampshade as Renoir’s Young Girl in a Straw Hat, 1884. (Karen Schaefer)
Earlier this month, Karen Schaefer, the recreation manager at Amenida Seniors Community, helped residents remedy the COVID-19 blues by helping them recreate famous paintings by using whatever they could find as props and clothing. The story has since been profiled by both CBC and Global News.
Shaefter was inspired when she stumbled upon the Getty Museum Challenge on social media where people use household items to recreate famous paintings. Her efforts have since been a big hit at the Seniors Community.
“One of the ladies said this is sure keeping cabin fever at bay. It’s three stages: the hilarious part is coming up with an idea and me printing off half a dozen portraits. And then they go off and hunt for props. And the third part is we giggle our way through photo shoots,” Schaefer said in an interview with CBC.
Shaefter says that she is receiving requests from residents to share the pictures on Facebook, or to email them to family members, and that more portraits are on the way.
EngAge BC and BCCPA would like to hear your ideas for keeping residents engaged during physical distancing. Have something to share? Please contact us.
