Veterans Art Garden: A Place of Respite and Refuge

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

There is no finer tribute to our military veterans than creating an environment where they can heal and thrive. The injuries some veterans sustain can have enduring impacts. A place that facilitates physical and emotional healing can significantly improve their ability to overcome these injuries. The Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH) has crafted such an environment with its facility, caring staff, and the Mission Connection: Veterans Art Garden.

Situated in the tranquil desert landscape of Sparks, Nevada, NNSVH is designed to cater to the holistic needs of veterans. This 102,000-square-foot facility, more akin to a warm and inviting home than a clinical, skilled nursing facility (SNF), offers the highest level of care. Whether short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, or memory care services, NNSVH is fully equipped to provide for our veterans, fostering a sense of community rather than a sterile clinical environment.

What sets NNSVH apart is not just its facilities but also the dedicated people behind it. The staff, the Nevada Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Independent Advisory Board for the Northern Nevada Veterans Home are not just professionals; they are a passionate group of individuals united by a shared dedication to our veterans. Their relentless efforts ensure that our veterans are cared for physically and emotionally. This dedication is exemplified in the creation of the Veterans Art Garden.

Julie Dudley, State Home Liaison Officer, is just one of the staff members at NNSVH who is committed to the home and its residents. As Dudley shared the details of the home and the Veterans Art Garden with me, her enthusiasm for the facility and the Veterans Art Garden was palpable. She talked not only about the facility and services but also about the benefits to veterans. It was evident she really cared.

Linda Dickinson, Chairperson of the Independent Advisory Board and a veteran herself, knows firsthand the needs of veterans because she is one herself. Dickinson was in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. In her role as chairperson for NNSVH, she has the opportunity to find what the veterans need by engaging with both staff and residents. Ensuring the needs of the veterans are paramount to her. She also shares the same passion and commitment as all the staff members.

Makers Paradise has been an integral part of the process. As a strategic partner, they have assisted with promoting and fundraising to make the Veterans Art Garden possible. The continued partnership will allow the project to come to fruition.

The Veterans Art Garden’s vision was to be a place where residents, their families, and the community could gather. It is a sanctuary, “a whimsical wonderland where veterans rekindle bonds through art and nature,” as described on the Veterans Art Garden website. It is a place of respite and refuge.

Each stage of the Veterans Art Garden’s development has been meticulously planned with the veterans in mind. From the landscaping to the logo design, everything has a purpose. The staff and residents of NNSVH created each stage of the development process. What speaks most to the foundational purpose of the Veterans Art Garden is the logo and the meaning behind it.

Created by the late Larry Quinn, the boot represents a boot worn in combat, and the flower is a sign of healing from the experience of war. The boot is not a vase for the flowers but a representation of the soil the flowers grew from. “From the turmoil of war, a flower grows, symbolic of how art heals wounds of war, i.e. beauty soothes wounds of war” according to the Veterans  Art Garden website.

The broken flower signifies that even during the turmoil of war, the beauty of nature is still present. Quinn shared that while his unit was on patrol, he did not notice initially the natural beauty surrounding them. “Lush greenery and a small waterfall, a tranquil vision of the Vietnam that we had turned into a battlefield,” Quinn recalled. Quinn noted, “Thus, it is only fitting that our logo has a broken flower to remind us that war has no compassion for man, woman, or nature and that peace is the water that plants need most.”

The Veterans Art Garden is centered around the theme of nature and the military. Each piece of art has a special purpose in the garden. Take, for instance, the Kaleidoscape project that will be installed. Created by Sara Frucht, a graduate from Yale University with a double major in Math and Philosophy, she spent much of her career in the computer industry focusing on design but later utilized her skills to create regenerative art concepts.

Frucht created and patented her Kaleidoscape, which will be featured in the Veterans Art Garden. The Kaleidoscape is an immersive art space. This pyramid-shaped structure uses mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space. Stained glass windows depicting the Nevada landscape and Mustang horses will be strategically placed to enhance the experience. It will allow veterans, their families, and the community to meditate or relax.

The Veterans Art Garden’s inclusivity is particularly inspiring. While it is an outdoor space, it is fully fenced to ensure memory care residents can fully enjoy all it has to offer. It is truly a one- of-a-kind place. It won’t be long before everyone can enjoy the art garden, as groundbreaking launched in late May.

With the Veterans Art Garden relying on grants and fundraising, it appreciates help from the community. Below is the rendition of the Veterans Art Garden. Links to make any size donation are found on the website to this wonderful project. Your contribution is appreciated. ♦

Director’s Update & Insights

By Lawrence Silva | July 2024

Makers Paradise has undergone many positive changes since reopening after COVID-19. Our organization continues to manage programs and provide support to emerging artists and marginalized populations in Berkeley and has now expanded to Reno, Nevada with a state-of-the-art facility at the Reno Public Market. The mission of our organization is to develop and provide resources that enable our artist community to thrive as an inclusive collective where everyone can be successful. Makers Paradise is excited about our future as the organization continues to expand and develop strong partnerships within the communities we serve.

In Berkeley, our programs have focused on supporting our artist communities by managing programs that include robust senior art and music therapy programs, art shows, and events. We are planning to reopen our art gallery at 1790 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA, in the coming months and look forward to providing a space where artists can exhibit and sell their work. Additionally, Makers Paradise continues to offer resources that include free art supplies and materials for our artists. Numerous art shows and events are being planned for the summer, and our grant-writing team is identifying exciting opportunities that will support local art installations and events in the future.

The art collective and gallery in Reno, Nevada, have provided many artists and community organizations with studio space and a classroom for hosting workshops and events. Our programs include resources for disabled artists and veterans as well as artist teaching seminars for the local art community. The gallery space has hosted many successful art shows while continuing to display a variety of art styles and movements. We also offer individual and group studio space for rent at reasonable prices. The artists in these studio spaces are a major part of our art collective as they have developed a strong, nurturing community where everyone comes together to create beautiful art.

Makers Paradise looks forward to continuing to provide our art communities with the support needed to succeed and blossom. We are confident that our programming will continue to benefit our artists and the communities we serve. We extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported our organization over the past five years and appreciate the continued support we receive from our artists, partners, and sponsors, which will allow us to maintain our existing programs and develop new projects. Makers Paradise wishes to thank everyone who has been a part of our success and the development of a wonderful resource for artists and the local communities we serve. ♦

Artist Profile: Colin Hurley — Let Your Imagination Purr

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

A true artist transcends boundaries. Their interpretation of the world comes alive through the interplay of color, light, and their distinct viewpoint. With a single brushstroke, their thoughts materialize on canvas. Each of us has our own definition of beauty and art. Discovering an artist who can stir emotions in a multitude of people is a rarity. Colin Hurley is that kind of artist, with a perspective that is uniquely his own.

Known as the Painter of Cats, Hurley’s artistic perspective can bring joy, even to his most discerning critic. Currently, Hurley is represented by the gallery Makers Paradise in Berkeley, California, and Firehouse Art Collective in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hurley has participated in and curated more than twelve shows and has been mentioned in publications such as the New York Style Guide. He was one of the lead artists for a mural at the Wardenclyffe Homes condominium. Hurley calls himself an illustration artist. His work has an abstract feel that sparks the imagination.

While known for his cat paintings, Hurley’s works are diverse. Whether you are looking for paintings of animals, landscapes, or people, you will find what you are looking for. Hurley shared that he was told his art wasn’t good. Given the recognition he now enjoys, those critics are likely reconsidering their initial assessments, as his art is incredible.

Hurley is a soft-spoken and humble man, and it seems he is not fully aware of how talented he is. It would be well worth the trip to check out any show in which this gifted artist is featured. You will not be disappointed. ♦

Christy Brown Inspires Many

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

If you have a passion for creativity, there is no greater satisfaction than being able to share it through music, art, or writing—many dream of using this gift as a career. For those with a disability, this dream may feel unattainable, but it isn’t. There are many notable disabled artists, writers, and musicians who have achieved their dreams. One such person is Christy Brown.

Christy Brown, author of My Left Foot, will be an inspiration even for the most cynical of people. Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1932 with a double athetosis form of cerebral palsy, the only part of his body that was not affected by paralysis was his left foot. He was believed to be mentally disabled by doctors, but his mother knew better. She knew there was more to him than being a paralyzed, nonverbal child, and she was right.

Despite his physical limitations, Brown’s creative spirit knew no bounds. He not only learned to speak, but he also became a best-selling author and renowned painter, all using only his left foot. His lifetime of work includes 19 books, including poetry, and his paintings continue to resonate today, selling for thousands of dollars. Many of his paintings are now part of the esteemed collections of the Little Museum of Dublin and the National Library of Ireland.

Despite his untimely death at the age of 39, Brown’s legacy of inspiration lives on. His life was a testament to the fact that no matter what challenges one faces, dreams can still be realized. His story continues to inspire many, serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the limitless potential within each of us. ♦

As with most non-profits, PCCS and Makers Paradise rely heavily on grants and donations to keep their programs alive. Each PCCS staff member has seen the benefits of the art and music programs. They all shared that they would love to expand the programs to other facilities to enrich the lives of many more seniors.

Jeff Healey — The Man, the Musician

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

There is nothing better than music. It has a unique way of touching our souls, evoking emotions, and reviving forgotten memories. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, music forms a vital part of our culture. A great musician not only accomplishes all this but also entertains us, a remarkable feat. Now, imagine a musician achieving this without sight. One of the first names that comes to mind is Jeff Healey.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Healey lost his vision to retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, at an early age. Despite his blindness, he learned to play the guitar at three years old. Healey’s unique style, playing the guitar flat on his lap, set him apart from his contemporaries. A gifted blues, rock, and soul singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Healey rose to stardom in 1989 with his band’s debut album, “See the Light,” which featured the hit song “Angel Eyes.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Healey and his band earned two Grammy nominations and received a Juno Award for Canadian Entertainer of the Year. He played with some of the greatest musicians, including The Allman Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, and Eric Clapton. Healey also appeared in the movie “Road House” and recorded its soundtrack.

Facing the challenges of disability, he could have easily let his visual impairment deter his dreams; instead, he persevered. One of his most inspirational quotes encapsulates his spirit: “Don’t let anyone else define who you are or what you’re capable of.” Healey continues to inspire many, especially those with disabilities, to pursue their dreams. ♦

Turning Art into Enterprise — A Creators Guide

By Otto DeLeon | July 2024

Many artists aspire to turn their passion into a profitable venture. The prospect of creating a business for your artistic work is exciting, but it can also be daunting. This path requires grit, artistic talent, and business know-how. Here are some things to consider, both positive and negative, for artists who are thinking of starting a business.

Positive Considerations:

1. Creative Control: As the architect of your enterprise, you maintain complete creative freedom over your art. This autonomy allows you to stay true to your vision and cultivate a brand identity that suits your work and resonates with your audience. You can see people do this at local craft shows where artists bring signature products and showcase distinctive styles and creativity.

2. Diverse Revenue Streams: Starting a business enables you as an artist to explore different revenue streams. Beyond selling original pieces, you can sell prints, merchandise, and digital content. You could also teach creative workshops or provide virtual art coaching for a fee. With today’s technology, it has become feasible for creators to attract subscribers or patrons behind an online pay wall to boost revenue.

3. Broader Impact: Properly promoting your business can expand the reach of your art. This not only increases your influence but also fosters a community of followers and patrons who share your artistic style and vision.

4. Personal Fulfillment: Turning your art into a business can provide personal satisfaction. Seeing your creations being appreciated and purchased can provide a deep sense of achievement, validation, and personal accomplishment.

5. Professional Growth: Venturing into business requires learning new skills and taking on multiple roles. This can lead to substantial personal and professional development, enhancing your capabilities as an artist and a businessperson. Consider artists who have begun teaching, expanded their merchandising operations, or undertaken gallery ownership. These are examples of substantial professional growth.

Negative Considerations:

1. Financial Risks: Starting a business involves significant financial investment. The primary financial risks include the artist/entrepreneur bearing the burden of upfront costs and the unpredictable nature of art sales, particularly when the economy is stressed.

2. Operational Demands: Running a business requires wearing multiple hats. Beyond creating art, you’ll need to manage marketing, sales, customer service, vendor relations, and financial planning. As a business grows, creators also need to identify tasks that could be more efficiently handled by others. Reaching this milestone may be necessary and beneficial, but it also adds to the responsibilities of leadership. These added responsibilities can be overwhelming and detract from your time for creative work.

3. Market Pressure: Entering the business world introduces market demands to your artistic practice. You may feel pressure to cater to consumer preferences, trends, and commercial viability. An artist/entrepreneur will have to reckon with these pressures. It’s crucial to find a balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to market trends.

4. Intellectual Property Concerns: As you expose your art to a broader audience, protecting your intellectual property becomes crucial. The risk of plagiarism or the unauthorized use of your work increases the more people have access to it. To safeguard your valuable ideas and creations, you should become more familiar with copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets.

5. Emotional Toll: Merging art with commerce can increase stress. The pressure to succeed financially can create anxiety, which can affect both your creativity and overall well-being. Learning ways to deal with the pressures of running a business is essential.

Although transforming your art into a business offers the prospect of financial rewards and professional growth, the risks and challenges involved require careful consideration. Balancing artistic integrity with pragmatism is key, as is remaining flexible and open to learning new skills. ♦

Larry Quinn — A Hero to Many

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

We all go through our days trying to be the best versions of ourselves, hoping to take every opportunity to make a positive impact on others. It’s not always easy, and we stumble along the way. We all strive to leave a legacy of which we can be proud. Even more rare are those who leave a legacy that will have a long-lasting impact on many. People like this are one in a million. Larry Quinn was one of these.

Quinn’s accomplishments throughout his life were impressive, and they left a profound legacy. A native of Texas, Quinn served in the U.S. Army as part of the 101st Airborne Division from 1968 to 1969. While he was “voluntold” to enlist, as shared by Northern Nevada State Veterans Home Chaplain Greg Watson, he committed to his service with the same passion as everything else he undertook. He left the Army with an honorable discharge to pursue other dreams and adventures.

Quinn’s artistic journey began after he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Speech Communications from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He dedicated his life to the arts, expressing his creativity through theater, music, songwriting, and writing. His artistic expertise was unparalleled, making him a true artist in every sense of the word.

Active in theatre, he won several awards in educational theatre and directed theatre productions. He performed in bands and as a solo artist and wrote over 200 songs. He was published by Big Bopper Music and Blueberry Music / United Artist. Quinn’s writing accomplishments include newsletters, poetry, plays, and radio copy. “Badman from Bodie and the Gold Rings” is his first novel.

Quinn enjoyed the outdoors and loved the solitude and isolation he found in the wild. While he loved being alone, Quinn dedicated himself to those around him. He never met a person for whom he didn’t care. His love, compassion, and respect for everyone was evident in how much of himself he gave to others and his community. According to Chaplain Watson, he had a special compassion for the down and out. He was a kind and devoted father to his son Nova, and cherished his close relationship with his twin sister.

While a resident at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, Quinn was pivotal in creating the peer-to-peer support group and was a staunch advocate of its success. He was a member of the NNSVH writing club and was passionate about developing the Veterans Art Garden. Using his creativity and life experience, he designed the logo for it. The meaning behind the logo is beautiful: “The Boot is used and has been through combat. The Flower represents the healing from the experience of war. The Flowers are symbolic of that healing by infusing the two images into a cohesive statement through art,” penned by none other than Quinn himself. He went on to write, “It is only fitting that our logo has a broken flower to remind us that war has no compassion for man, woman, or nature, and that peace is the water that plants need most.” As with many Veterans, Quinn did not like talking about the Vietnam War but would share the beauty of the country itself.

Above all else, Quinn stood steadfast for his beliefs. He was a fighter for and protector of others. He could have easily let his PTSD and Parkinson’s strip him of who he was, but he never did. He left this world with the same will, love, and grace with which he approached each day. He meant the world to so many, and his legacy will live on through them and the impact he made on the NNSVH. Larry Quinn was a hero to many, and I only wish I would have had the opportunity to meet him. ♦

Enriching the Lives of Seniors through Art and Music

By Ruth Cowan | July 2024

There is no better form of self-expression than through art and music. Both evoke the deepest of our emotions while giving us true pleasure. Whether we ponder over an abstract painting, bask in the beauty of a sculpture, or listen to a beautiful piece of music, there is something for each of us. Whether we are creating our own art and music or just basking in the beauty of it, these forms of expression positively impact us. For our seniors, it goes beyond enjoyment. It can positively change many aspects of their lives as they age. Pacific Coast Community Services (PCCS) and Makers Paradise know the importance of art for our aging population and have created their senior art program to enhance the lives of seniors.

As we age, we face transitions in life that can cause mental health issues such as major depression, anxiety, or dysthymic depression. These can be caused by the transition from work to retirement or an adverse life event such as the death of a spouse. According to the review “Creativity and art therapies to promote healthy aging: A scoping review” conducted by Frontiers in Psychology, physical ailments, no matter how minimal they may be, can lead to depression, and depression can lower the immune system. It becomes a vicious circle that, if left untreated, can cause serious harm and detriment to our aging population.

Music and art can help combat seniors’ physical and mental decline. PCCS has created a program in partnership with Makers Paradise that does just that. For this dynamic group of people, it goes beyond their jobs. They come from diverse backgrounds and careers, bringing their experience and passions not just for their artistic gifts but also for the seniors with whom they work. What they contribute has a profound positive impact on the aging population. Hearing the excitement and commitment they have for what they are doing is truly inspiring.

Whether working at the Lincoln Senior Apartments in Oakland, CA, or the Elegance Senior Facility in Berkeley, CA, the programs are designed to enhance the lives of the residents. All residents have different needs and abilities. Some live independently, some live in assisted living, and others need memory support services, but each is given the opportunity to express their creativity through music and art.

For Valerie Turpen, job coach at PCCS, her commitment goes beyond her job title. Turpen studied graphic design at California College of the Arts and spent much of her career in the advertising industry. As with most people, her career goals changed, and she transitioned into working with seniors as a certified abilities leader. Her role allowed her to pair seniors with college students through an art program. Together, the pair formed a friendship that enriched their lives. Turpen’s work led her to PCCS, where she works at Lincoln Senior Apartments and Elegance Senior Facility.

At Elegance Senior Facility, members of the staff at PCCS offer the opportunity for the memory care residents to engage in a group setting that contributes to their overall wellness. Through the art and music programs at Elegance, it is more than an activity or social experience. While they do enjoy the creative aspects of the programs, the positive impact they have on them mentally, emotionally, and cognitively is profound.

Shawn Falletti came from a career in the financial sector. After retiring from it, she was asked to join the PCCS team as a job coach. It was there that she began working in the art and music programs. She shared with excitement the changes she sees in the residents. In both programs, she notices the difference the groups are making. Whether it is a resident creating an art project or tapping their feet to a familiar song, their engagement in the programs is growing and an awaking is manifesting.

Tom Falletti grew up with music and began his passion for it at a young age. Throughout his life and career as a musician, what he loved was the connection he was able to make with the audience. After retiring from the music industry, he began working for PCCS. He brought his love of music and, along with Paul Garber, now breathes life into the senior community. He continues developing that same connection with the seniors.

Paul Garber also grew up loving music—specifically, the drums. This love has led him to co-found a group called Soul Beats, which performs at Lake Merritt in Oakland each weekend. Just as with Tom Falletti, Garber has noticed the connection music brings to the community. Paul shared that through the music, he noticed pleasantly the connections between complete strangers that were being forged. He saw them hugging, making plans, and giving gifts to one another.

Music has the innate ability to touch and elevate the human spirit in more ways than we can imagine. At the Lincoln Senior Apartments, it has rekindled the love of music in one of the residents, Lillian Jackson. Jackson spent much of her life in the entertainment industry. She is full of life and love, spreading joy to others.

When the music program at Lincoln began in 2021, Jackson had been out of the entertainment industry for some time. Formerly a member of the Stovall Sisters trio, she and her sisters not only cut their own album but also sang backup for many greats. Jackson and her sisters spent time as the Ikettes, singing backup for Ike and Tina Turner.

Jackson said that the weekly music group is the highlight of her day. She feels the same connection as the PCCS staff who run the program. Garber also feels the same connection and looks forward to this group each Wednesday. With Tom Falletti, Garber leads the residents in music that Garber says is good enough to go on the road. It is so much more than a day of music. The residents are forming connections, participating in social activities, and alleviating the physical and mental declines associated with aging. The music program is making a real and positive change in their lives. ♦