SAIC's annual Art of Connection show, 2015. 

 

A Language of Love

Residents and staff of Friendship Village in collaboration with Kylin Jewell

 

2014

 

Mixed fibers media

 

In the core values presented by Friendship Village one will see the following statement:  “Our community is built on the values of faith, community, service, stewardship and growth – with friendship at the center of everything we do.”
This collaborative tapestry work was created in the spirit of this continuing care retirement community’s innermost beliefs.
Participants were asked to create felted leaves symbolizing their place within Friendship Village, and demonstrating their beliefs on how we come together to build community and connection. Using color, images, and text participants created their leaves. Reflections include but are not limited to: The use of language – both verbal and nonverbal. How we use activities or rituals surrounding such topics as the arts, spirituality, celebration and mourning to build bonds with others. Imagery of what connectedness means, feels, and looks like to the individual.
Co-facilitator and creator, Kylin, offers the following metaphor for the community she has been invited into: The symbol of a tree holds many meanings. Its roots embed itself in the earth creating a stable support system from which to grow. Its branches reach upwards creating a place for leaves to bud, for flowers to bloom, for fruit to grow, and for animals to create their homes. It becomes not only a nurturer to the microsystem within it, but in providing oxygen to the planet, it can also hold the symbolism of a caretaker on a grander scale.

This project was funded by the Friendship Senior Options Foundation and remains on display at Friendship Village of Schaumburg, Il.