Ovation Partners with Local Artist to Celebrate Life Stories

Ovation Communities, with gratitude to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation for their support of this program, recently partnered with local Milwaukee artist Angela Shelstad, creator of Project Hue, to celebrate life stories through art.

Over the past three years Shelstad captured the stories of 11 Ovation residents and program participants, turning their memories into paintings and videos. As part of her process, Shelstad sat down with each person to talk about their life, dreams and adventures as the inspiration for her artwork.

“Everyone has a story to tell,” Shelstad said. “Project Hue helps people celebrate who they are and some of the most wonderful moments in their lives. At the same time, their memories are preserved as a permanent keepsake for that person, their family and their friends.”

Shelstad’s work has had a positive impact on many of Ovation’s residents and Adult Day Services participants with memory loss. The initiative provides a way for older adults to maintain their identity and individuality. Creative art programs like Project Hue have been shown to improve self-confidence, stimulate brain health, reinforce a strong sense of identity and reduce isolation.

“We’re so thrilled to partner with Angela to bring Project Hue to life,” said Dawn Adler, Ovation’s Director of Adult Day Services. “We all crave connection and meaningful activities, and this partnership is a great example of some of the unique things we do at Ovation. It’s about bringing a wide range of rich and interactive programs that bring joy to the heart and create long lasting relationships.”