Written By: JoAnn Lindfors, Philanthropy Communications and Stewardship Associate
Givens Communities Philanthropy recently had the joy of visiting talented residents across various Givens campuses whose artwork will be featured in a new series of Givens Communities notecards. Each artist brings a distinct medium, perspective, and story to form a vibrant tapestry of creativity, nature, and personal expression. These notecards, adorned with resident-created artwork, will be shared with donors and community members as heartfelt expressions of gratitude. More than notes, they represent the deep connections between residents, donors, and the broader Givens community. Through this special collaboration, philanthropy becomes a bridge linking generosity with creativity, and donors with the lives they help enrich every day.
Marge Campane: Drawing Nature’s Architecture in Graphite
In the quiet of her home studio, Marge Campane creates botanical drawings that speak volumes through the subtlety of pencil on paper. Working exclusively in graphite, Marge captures the structural elegance of plants with meditative precision. Her minimalist yet expressive style honors the classical tradition of botanical illustration while offering a deeply personal, contemplative experience.
Marge’s fascination with plants began in her garden and grew into a passion for illustrating their intricate forms. “Most people are seduced by a plant’s color or aroma,” she says, “but fail to notice the structural intricacies that enable the plant to survive and reproduce. It’s those structural details that inspire me.” Her work invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the quiet beauty of nature’s design.
Barb Applebaum: Collage as Memory and Imagination
Barb Applebaum’s art tells stories through torn paper and vibrant color. What began as a creative outlet during the COVID pandemic has blossomed into a distinctive collage practice. Using only her hands and no scissors, Barb transforms newspaper clippings from the Asheville Citizen Times, The New York Times, and others into evocative scenes of coastal landscapes, countryside vistas, and tranquil waters.
Her palette reflects her love for the beaches of her former home in coastal Massachusetts, with hues of blue, green, brown, and white. Barb’s creativity extends beyond collage to jewelry-making, and her husband Lou is a skilled wood carver, making their home a true sanctuary of artistic expression. With just paper, glue, and a keen eye for composition, Barb turns everyday materials into imaginative works of art.
Joan Taylor: Illuminating Memory Through Oil
From her light-filled Carolina room, Joan Taylor paints stunning oil works that often come to life in just a few hours. Surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Joan draws inspiration from both her surroundings and her memories. Many of her large-scale paintings are intentionally left untitled, inviting viewers to bring their own interpretations.
One especially memorable piece features a young girl picking flowers, inspired by a friend’s daughter from Joan’s time living in Mexico. The painting captures both a personal moment and a universal sense of wonder, reflecting Joan’s thoughtful and expressive style.
Betty Fox: The Meditative Art of Ikebana
For Betty Fox, floral design is more than decoration, it’s a meditative practice. Introduced to Ikebana by a neighbor who initially became her teacher, Betty has embraced this traditional Japanese art form, which emphasizes harmony, balance, and minimalism. Unlike Western floral arrangements, Ikebana celebrates the natural beauty of each element to include flowers, branches, leaves, and even empty space through thoughtful placement and asymmetry.
Each of Betty’s arrangements is housed in a unique vessel, many of which she has collected over time. Her creations have graced tables at community events, bringing serenity and beauty to shared spaces. For Betty, Ikebana is a way to connect with nature and find peace in the present moment.
Tina Stauber: Brushstrokes from the Garden
Tina Stauber had always felt most at home in the garden. As a child, she wandered barefoot through rows of daisies and marigolds, her grandmother’s voice gently guiding her, “That’s a goldfinch, sweetheart. And those are columbines.” The names of birds and flowers became part of her vocabulary before she could even spell them.
In her 50s, with more time to explore creative pursuits, Tina picked up a paintbrush for the first time. She began with oil paints but soon discovered a deep connection to watercolor, a medium she describes as her true artistic love. Its softness and fluidity mirrored the landscapes she cherished.
Now in her later years, Tina still paints in the quiet of her bedroom, the window framing a view that never grows old. The mountains shift with the seasons, and so do her paintings, sometimes a burst of wildflowers, other times a lone bird in flight. Her art is not just a hobby; it’s a continuation of a lifelong conversation with the natural world.
A Celebration of Creative Spirit
Together, artists Marge, Barb, Joan, Betty, and Tina offer more than visual beauty; they share pieces of their lives, passions, and perspectives. Their work reflects the richness of experience found across Givens Communities and reminds us that creativity flourishes at every stage of life. As these notecards make their way into the hands of donors and friends, they carry with them the spirit of connection, gratitude, and the enduring power of art to tell stories that words alone cannot.