Rose Villa has unveiled a permanent art installation in the halls of Madrona Grove, Rose Villa’s 24-hour supportive care neighborhood. The installation is a collaboration by local artists, residents, and the committed staff at Rose Villa Senior Living Community.
A SHARED VISION
The Madrona Grove project was inspired by a group of residents and staff with a common goal. Their vision was to breathe warmth and beauty into the space shared by residents, staff, and visitors.
“When Madrona Grove was completed in 2022, we took time to live in the space before committing to a decorating plan,” said Marianna Iverson, Activities and Restorative Programming Coordinator at Rose Villa.
Iverson, a 23-year veteran of Rose Villa, has a unique perspective and appreciation for the needs of the residents.
In November of 2022, the decor committee brought the Madrona Grove Art Installation idea to Iverson and Erin Cornell, Director of Health Services. The thought was to hang a collection of handmade quilts made by professional artists in the area.
Iverson and Cornell thought it was a great idea, and agreed that it would be “doable” and that the artwork would foster a welcoming atmosphere and create positive energy in the building.
The decor committee worked closely with the staff to create a plan that considered both the physical and emotional health of the residents of Madrona Grove.
“We did a deep dive into how aging affects the way we experience colors, texture, and shapes, and were very intentional about the pieces we considered,” explained Jo Noble, a member of the decor committee and an accomplished fiber artist.
“We set out to use art to create a feeling of familiarity, comfort, and warmth,” Noble said.
The installation would include a mix of quilts, photographs, and paintings; artwork that blended vibrant colors, accessible textures, and recognizable images of the natural world.
ENGAGING THE ARTISTS
To have enough quilts and other art pieces to fill the halls of the two-story building, the staff and decor committee engaged artists within the Rose Villa neighborhood, and from local artist collectives and groups in the region.
Jo Noble reached out to her fellow artists at High Fiber Diet (HFD), a group “committed to advancing their art professionally and producing annual exhibits,” according to a statement on the Columbia Fiber Arts Guild website.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. In all, 14 fiber artists donated a total of 47 quilts for the installation.
There are an additional 11 quilts created by independent living residents at Rose Villa,
“We found that many artists had multiple quilts they were willing to share with us,” Noble said.
“They appreciated the opportunity to have them on display and were proud to be part of the effort to provide art to create an inviting space,” Noble said.
Beyond the stunning array of fiber art pieces hanging on display are paintings and photographs done by residents, including a few from past residents of Madrona Grove.
Noble and the group hope to inspire others to recreate the art collaboration in senior communities, using Madrona Grove’s installation as a model.
“Part of the excitement of a project like this,” said Noble, “is the cooperative spirit we have built with the artists and the positive feedback we have received from everyone involved in the project.”
MADRONA GROVE AT ROSE VILLA
Madrona Grove opened its doors In June of 2022, offering an additional 32-room residence at Rose Villa. The 24-hour care community is on the campus of Rose Villa in Milwaukie. This beautiful two-story, farmhouse-inspired residence accommodates individuals for short-term recuperative stays or long-term residential care.
ROSE VILLA SENIOR LIVING
Rose Villa is an independent nonprofit, Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Southeast Portland. The campus sits above the east bank of the Willamette River on 22 acres of lush green space, river views, and a thoughtful blend of housing, and amenities.
The community is nationally recognized for its award-winning design, is a 2021 Leader in Sustainability in Clackamas County, a 2021 honoree as one of Oregon’s 100 Best Nonprofits, and one of Oregon’s Healthiest Employers in 2021.
Originally built in 1960, Rose Villa began a comprehensive redevelopment effort in 2014, replacing aging buildings, updating infrastructure systems, and creating 35 new loft apartments and 40 Pocket Neighborhood cottages.
Spring 2019 ushered in the second wave of renovation, including 12 first-of-their-kind Zero Energy homes in The Oaks, 10 Garden Grove residences that overlook the community garden and Willamette River, and 18 pocket cottages that build out the original Phase 1 redevelopment neighborhood.
The third and final phase consists of 35 new urban loft apartments in Schroeder Lofts, 6 new Zero Energy Townhomes in Trillium Townhomes, and a new 24-hour supportive living neighborhood, Madrona Grove.
Learn more: www.rosevilla.org.