Kenora Catholic District School Board

Peace, joy, faith, wisdom and family are a few of the words embedded into a new mosaic glass art installation displayed in the garden at Pinecrest District Home for the Aged. The artwork was unveiled to residents today in a presentation made by Teacher, Teresa Stevenson and students from her Grade 10 Religion Class from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

"This piece of artwork represents the joy the residents bring us every time we visit them and the relationships that have developed," says Stevenson just before unveiling the artwork. "The students picked words that represent how they feel about their experiences and relationship with the residents."

The students worked with local artist Betty Wires from Midnight Loon Glass as an Artist in Residence project. Students worked with Betty designing the art piece, cutting the class pieces and placing them. The project took about 12 hours for the students to complete.

Laura Polischuk, Grade 10 student explains the inspiration for the artwork. "We designed the artwork with Betty around water because a lot of people grew up on Lake of the Woods. We also incorporated birds because the residents probably don't see them as much and a turtle for indigenous people so everyone would feel welcome. I am really proud of how it turned out. It was fun to see the smile on everyone's face today."

Following the unveiling, students and residents enjoyed cake and tea in the garden.

Resident, Evelyn Beaubien said the new artwork is absolutely lovely. "It's going to be very nice to have the artwork in the garden. It's homey, and it fits in with the beautiful trees."

Students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School have been visiting with the residents at Pinecrest on various Community Service projects.

"I've been here for 2.5 years and the students have been here a lot," says Beaubien. "We have crafts and we play volleyball. It's very nice to have the students involved."