Senior Artists Transform Construction Barriers into Vibrant Community Gallery at Maryland Retirement Community

The Fireside Artists at Charlestown, an Erickson Senior Living community in Catonsville, Maryland, have transformed temporary construction walls into a vibrant art gallery through an innovative mural project. The resident artists created colorful depictions of landscapes, flowers, wildlife, and scenes representing community life to conceal construction barriers during ongoing renovations in the Fountain Hill neighborhood.

Mary Evans, the community resources manager, initiated the project to brighten the hallway during construction disruptions. Resident Sandy Mack, president of the Fireside Artists, led seven other members in creating the artwork over the course of a month. The artists worked during evenings and weekends to avoid disrupting daytime activities, using acrylic paint on 2-by-6-foot panels that stretch 50 feet along the construction barriers.

The Fireside Artists, a group of 72 residents who paint, draw, sculpt, and make jewelry, typically display their work throughout Maryland in various venues. However, this marked their first large-scale collaborative project within their own community. The artwork will remain on display until renovations are completed in 2026, when the community will feature new dining venues, updated outdoor seating, and additional recreational spaces.

Residents and staff enthusiastically engaged with the project, making it part of their daily routines to observe the artists at work. The creative process provided both therapeutic benefits for the artists and aesthetic enjoyment for the entire community. Sandy Mack completed thirteen panels featuring various themes, while former elementary school art teacher Lynn Kochis, who hadn't painted in over 40 years, contributed three paintings including a collaborative tree spanning six panels.

The project demonstrates how senior communities can effectively leverage resident talents to enhance living environments during disruptive periods. The mural not only serves the practical purpose of concealing construction but also fosters meaningful community engagement and artistic expression among older adults. This initiative highlights the importance of creative programming in senior living environments and shows how artistic endeavors can transform challenging situations into opportunities for community building and personal fulfillment. More information about the community's approach to resident engagement is available at https://www.ericksonliving.com.