Local Students Create Life-Enriching Art for Greenfield Retirement Community

It’s National Nursing Home Week May 11 through May 17 and local residents at Clement Manor in Greenfield, Wis. are enjoying very unique, and functional nature-inspired art—a specially designed mural created by Greendale High School students.

At Clement Manor, physical therapy and short-term rehabilitation are key parts of the faith-based retirement community's continuum of services. Clement Manor challenged the talented students from Greendale High School’s National Art Honor Society to design and paint a 45-foot-long mural in the community’s therapy wing that will coincide with their motto: “Life Enriched”. Although, it’s certain to be a beautiful work of art, that’s not its sole purpose. The mural will also be used as a goal-setting tool for Clement Manor residents undergoing mobility treatment using various featured elements in the mural as a “finish line” for patients.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the project,” said Keri Gerlach, marketing director at Clement Manor. “It will be an excellent tool for our therapy program, not to mention look spectacular. We're thankful for the Greendale students' willingness to collaborate with us by using their talents to enrich the lives of our residents; they've been wonderful. We hope their lives have been enriched, too."

The participating Greendale students, overseen by fine arts and vocational education curriculum facilitator Pam Merkel, volunteered their services as part of an after school extra-curricular activity. In addition to the pride that comes with leaving a lasting impression on the facility, the students will also gain excellent life experience and the satisfaction of brightening the lives of Clement Manor’s residents.

Greendale students began painting the mural in November 2007.

Clement Manor is a faith-based continuing care retirement community located at 3939 South 92nd Street in Greenfield. For more information on Clement Manor and its Therapy Program, please visit www.ClementManor.com.