Always Room for Creativity at St. Ann Center

St. Ann Center has a new space for our artistic clients. 

Circular table in the new Art Therapy Room.

A variety of art supplies
are provided for clients. 

Our new Art Therapy room features a large circular table with plenty of room to spread out paper, markers, colored pencils and paint. Along the left side of the room, there is a table for working on more delicate crafts like ceramics and a large shelf stocked with varieties of art supplies. A second half of the room is being updated as a gallery space, giving clients the opportunity to have a beautiful space to display their art.

The large shelf stocked with endless
possibilities for creativity.

Yolanda, our art director, guides clients through a variety of art projects and is always there to lend a hand with final touches like drying a painting or adding a little border to a colored heart valentine. 

There is an wonderful feeling of community around the main table as clients share praise and the joy of making art together. We truly feel blessed that we are able to give them the opportunity to be creative and its easy to see how proud they are of their beautiful works of art.

A client creating a paint for her mom.

 Recently clients enjoyed coloring and painting Valentines for their loved ones. Check out the photo album on our facebook page here>

We also offer different art opportunities to the community including ceramic classes (414)977-5038, and the art room can be rented for parties. Visit our website for more details>

Jewelry making is art, therapy and a whole lot of fun!

Susan G. and her jewelry creations!

Suzanne Leberman is St. Ann Center’s jewelry teacher and works one-on-one with many clients creating beautiful wearable art. St. Ann Center offers jewelry classes for a small cost to any client interested in learning to make their own jewelry.

A new client named Susan G. started attending St. Ann Center in November. She was recovering from a brain aneurysm and part of her therapy at her rehab facility was stringing beads so naturally when she heard about the Suzanne’s jewelry classes she was intrigued and signed up right away.

When Susan began the jewelry making classes her jewelry was beautiful but very simplistic and followed an easy pattern of 3’s. As Susan progressed her jewelry has increased in beauty as well as design complexity. She has steadily moved beyond set patterns and advanced to creating lovely necklackes, bracelets and matching earrings. Suzanne says that she has really witnessed a change and definite progress in Susan’s abilities since she started. It’s exciting to witness such change and improvement in the health of our clients.


This is one of the first jewelry pieces that Susan created.



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 This is one of the later pieces that Susan created



 Susan (St. Ann Center Client) and Suzanne L.(jewelry teacher) 

Mud as Art

It is not unusual to find our clients and guests from the community "flinging mud" in a way that ends up in the most unusual and charming shapes. The art and ceramic classes at St. Ann Center for All Ages* are underway. People are signing up with enthusiasm for their chance to get their fingers and hands into the clay and make items that range from a salt and pepper shaker set to a magnificent angel or vase.

Under the guidance of Alice, the art instructor, students with a variety of abilities progress from their first attempts at art-making to accomplished pieces that make for justifiable pride. You can make wind chimes, a personal mug, or commemorative plate. To register for one of the art or ceramic classes go online at: www.stanncenter.org or call Alice at 977-5038. See you at class!

Not So Hidden Talent

Not So Hidden Talent

David J.–an artist in our midst–can be seen at work in our indoor atrium, wielding his brushes on canvas, blending color into images that emerge as portraits and landscapes that make us pause in our busy day to see as he sees.

David, a regular client at St. Ann Center, has show-cased his abilities in our center's "Seasons of Life" gallery, where local artists participate in bi-monthly exhibits, under the direction of gallery coordinator and volunteer, Nancy Macek.

But don’t just read about it. You're invited to come to the gallery and see David's works for yourself. You may even wish to purchase one!

Emma & Emil

Everyday generation gaps are bridged at St. Ann Center, but do we really know how it happens? I sat back to watch and see for myself how this intergenerational concept works. The other day I watched a group of Shepherd House visitors, battling with memory loss, who come to visit with the daycare children every Monday and Tuesday.

Inside the Dragonfly room of the child care unit, the laughter is plentiful and the painting is Picasso-esque when these two very different groups get together for art. Emma, a wise and intelligent 3 year old, and Emil, a quiet, reserved elderly gentleman were making Halloween masks and enjoying every minute of their time together.

Emma poked away at her purple, pumpkin-shaped construction paper as Emil did the same. When I asked if he enjoyed the time spent with the children he replied, "I wish we could come here everyday!" It's amazing that yarn and paint can be the catalyst for so much happiness.
Written by: Darrell Garrett, intern from Cardinal Stritch