July 25, 2018 (Henrietta, NY) ─ Caroline Garnaat is making art approachable to all ages and abilities. An artist for 40 years and teacher with the nonprofit organization Fine Art Miracles, Inc. Caroline helps residents at Woodcrest Commons, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Henrietta, channel their inner Picasso once a month.

Pictured here, Caroline coaches Woodcrest Commons residents Andrea Heath, Shirley Merton and Rosanne Bourne on an art project. Activities Coordinator Lindsay Lown said Caroline makes art less intimidating by walking residents through each project step-by-step.

“She is no rush and she is quick to jump in with pointers, while allowing the residents the freedom to personalize each project,” said Lown. “Caroline has a way of making sure everyone is proud of what they create, and the end results are brag-worthy for sure!”

Caroline said completing an art project gives residents a sense of accomplishment.

“The knack is trying to determine where people are in terms of their abilities and to find a project that will challenge the more experienced people and give confidence to the less experienced,” she said.

Caroline is pictured above working with Woodcrest Commons resident Joan Rangus.

The mission of Fine Arts Miracles, Inc. (FAM) is to bring the cognitive and social benefits of art to the elderly living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities through fine art lessons, art therapy, music therapy and social robot-enhanced learning for all ages and capabilities. According to Fine Arts Miracles CEO Tess Lojacono, studies show that people may express their feelings through colors, images and artistic impressions.

“Verbal skills often fail the elderly over time,” she explains. “Researchers believe art therapy can help people express themselves when this happens. Drawings, paintings, collages and simple sculpture offer a visual-art dialogue.”

Participation in art class stimulates the temporal lobe of the brain and can induce the use of motor skills.

“I really love working with the seniors because they’re very interested in learning,” said Caroline. “Most of them are still very capable even if they may have physical limitations. They still want to use their brains and be involved, and they are a lot of fun!”

For more information about Woodcrest Commons, please contact Administrator Kathy Murray-McGhan at (585) 334-1800, at kmurray-mcghan@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.