“Hands that Tell a Story” project collaboration with Traditions of Hanover and Liberty High School

Traditions of Hanover Independent Living residents have bridged the generation gap to tell stories to Liberty High School students, and have them recreate these stories and memories through photographs in a new art project, which was displayed on Saturday, December 7.

Twenty residents from Traditions went to Liberty to work with students on a new art project, “Hands that Tell a Story.” The students were paired with a senior to work with them in the studio, where they took photographs of their senior’s hands. They worked with the seniors to arrange their hands for various photos. Seniors discussed an event or special memory that took place at some point in their life and the students recorded the story to correlate with the photographs.

“It was a good way to learn about how life was during the Great Depression and it was very inspiring to hear how she got through it and was still able to follow her dreams,” said high school junior, Michael Hornbrook, reflecting on the time he spent with Doris Hess as she told her life story.

From November 18-22, the students worked on developing their photos and stories, as well as writing a reflection about the project and working with their senior, including what they learned or found interesting and their experiences from the project.

On Saturday, December 7, the project was presented at the high school’s Art Show. Twenty residents participated in the project, however, only some were able to attend the presentation. The seniors gathered around the display to look at the final project and see how their partner turned their story into a work of art.

“It’s always cool to try and bridge the generation gap and it’s hard enough for us to find the time to do it with our own grandparents, let alone to reach out in the community,” said Emma Rawlings, a senior at Liberty High School. “In the end I think this project benefited both ways because it helped us to realize that there actually isn't that much of a generation gap at all.”

Liberty High School students who participated in the project include: Vania Arthur, Emily Apostolopoulos, Rachel Belony, Shainna Bermudez, Danielle Goff, Angie Gomez, Camryn Grabowski, Jillian Greer, Jennell Hallinan, Amanda Hercules, Michael Hornbrook, Jason Jasinski, Sarah King, Kaitlin McEwan, Emily Moss, Emma Rawlings, Marquis Redding, Michael Santiago, Rajahne Smith-Jones, Tai Tarboro, Cassandra Vasquez, and Cristian Velasquez.

Residents from Traditions of Hanover who participated include: Carmela Claroni, Barbara Colacurcio, Joan Dawson, Allen Fink, Bob Flynn, Vivian Gracely, Doris Hess, Connie Huber, Caroline Malmad, Mae Michael, Jim Mills, William Pares, Mary Ptak, Geneva Quigg, Jeanette Schultz, Jack Sheridan, Art Troiani, Sylvia Troiani, Caroline Villanueva, and John Williams.

For more information about Traditions of Hanover, please call Jennifer Murphy, marketing director, at 610-883-0400.

 Located at 5300 Northgate Drive, Bethlehem, behind Wegman’s off of Route 512, Traditions of Hanover Independent Living is a unique retirement community offering Independent Living residences on an affordable month-to-month basis with no buy-in fees. Resident services and apartment features include meals, housekeeping, social events, transportation, and full kitchens. For more information, please call Jennifer Murphy at 610-882-0400 or log onto www.traditionsofhanover.com.