Vivid verse: Seniors team with public to give poetry visual spin

There’s poetry, and there’s art. And then there’s the path that leads to the juxtaposition of both.

The West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road, is presenting a new public art project, mixing the power of words with the intrinsic appeal of color for a public art mural.

Participants in the center’s poetry class, Pathway to Poetry, who call themselves “Pathfinders,” provided most of the verbiage for the project, but the public, including middle and high school students, participated, too.

The Pathfinders held weekend WORD-a thons in October at the West Flamingo Senior Center, where participants helped with laminating, decorating, threading and hole-punching pieces of the display while enjoying camaraderie, music and refreshments.

“A multi-generational effort like this is always very popular,” said Diane Olson-Baskin, program supervisor at the senior center. “People don’t realize how certain generations are stuck in their own group, especially here in Las Vegas, where a lot of people have no extended family. Older people come here to retire. … An event like this is a chance to find out how much they have in common.”

The Pathfinders printed words and poems on colored card stock measuring 2 inches by 3 inches.

“It was very therapeutic,” said Donna Walker, a member of the Pathfinders. “You’re sharing your memories, your joys.”

The cards were set to be attached to a metal structure and set up Nov. 2 near Bar+Bistro at The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.

From a distance, the art resembles a path. The hundreds of cards flutter in the breeze, enticing pedestrians to stop, investigate and read. Walker said the juxtaposition of movement and color along with the written word was a new way to get people excited about poetry.

“There is a rhythm to writing poetry … and people picking up one (card) in their hand and reading our thoughts, and who knows how many people will be able to enjoy what we’ve written?” Walker said.

Besides the public, the Pathfinders partnered with the Yarnstormers, a knitting and crocheting group at the West Flamingo Senior Center, for the effort. The Yarnstormers do similar projects. As part of their “yarn bombing” project, members wrapped the railing at the center and decorated the pedestrian bridge that spans Maryland Parkway at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, 3186 S. Maryland Parkway.

As for the Pathfinders’ project, it’s expected that the colors and ink will fade after about four to six months, and the mural will be removed. At this month’s First Friday, slated for Nov. 7, invitations will be distributed for an outdoor, multi-generational, spoken-word performance scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at Bar+Bistro and hosted by the Pathfinders.

“There is poetry in everything,” said Roberta Monokroussos, Pathfinders instructor. “We just need to feel it.”

Seniors 50 or older can join the Pathway to Poetry group, which meets from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays. Those interested can visit clarkcountynv.gov/parks or call 702-455-7742.

Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.