Pictures set the mood for christmas

Pictures set the mood for christmas

From the annunciation to the adoration from the east – many episodes from the christmas story currently adorn the walls of the evangelical nursing home, inviting visitors to linger and contemplate them. With a lot of heart and soul, the seniors portrayed the events of the holy night, gave them a very special glamour and thus brought the story of maria and josef to life.
Many of the artworks are collaborative works created by several residents with the occupational therapy or gerontological psychiatry team. But there are also some pictures of "solo artists" thereby – freehand painted, understands itself. Two of them are johann martin and eugen engelhardt, both of whom have a special connection to painting. "I have always loved to paint. I can still remember my report card from 1937. I had an "A" in drawing, says johann martin with pride. He has retained his passion for painting into old age. "I enjoyed the project very much. Christina ellner read us the christmas story and we chose scenes to paint. It took me some time, especially to get the manner on the camels", says the 90-year-old, who looks extremely fit, with a grin and points to his rough, very colorfully designed picture with lots of details. "These are gold, myrrh and frankincense", he says, pointing to the camels on which the kings transport their precious gifts.

Rustiger senior
Eugen engelhardt is 83 years old and comes from mitwitz. The senior, who is also very rustic, used to be heavily involved in church activities. "I was for many years a member of the church administration and also a sacristan. It was a lot of work, but it was great fun", the mitwitzer looks back. Painting the christmas story gave him a lot of joy, if only because of his deep christian faith. But he is also talented in art. "I used to go to the forest a lot because I love nature. I have painted pictures of wild animals and given them as gifts. I have also designed football posters for the FC mitwitz", he says, not without pride. Both have painted several pictures and were happy to participate again in a new painting project.
"The painting project should not remain a flash in the pan", emphasizes christina ellner from social services, who is mainly responsible for the project. The theme was chosen because the christmas story connects all generations and is known to everyone. "We have listened to what is written in the bible and thought about how we can represent it pictorially. It should be pictures, which one looks gladly at and which inspire to dream", explains it. For this we have taken inspiration from similar images and have implemented many things together. She is sure that all involved have not only had a lot of fun painting, but have grown through the works.
The exhibition now accompanies the residents and employees in a particularly gentle way through the advent season. She as well as home director klier were impressed by the still existing creative power of the seniors. Klier's thanks were extended to the picture frame sponsors and to home council member roland rost, who worked to secure the donations.
Pastor susanne treber was also invited to the vernissage and introduced the small celebration with a spiritual impulse. "Anyone who paints pictures about the christmas story is immersing himself in the story of salvation. He picks up some of this blessing and passes it on.", she was sure. The seniors had put themselves and their life experience into each of their pictures. The exhibition was officially opened with a joint tour of the site. Those who wish to view them will have the opportunity to do so during the opening hours.