In a quiet corner of Enderlin, North Dakota, something extraordinary is happening at Maryhill Manor. Through North Dakota Council on the Arts’ (NDCA) Art for Life Program, residents are not only creating beautiful works of art—they’re rediscovering joy, connection, and purpose while improving health and wellness.
Photo: Local artist and teacher Shellee Sauer worked with residents in creating this welcoming painting which hung inside the entrance to Maryhill Manor. Straws were used to blow paint across the surface of material that was then layered and assembled into this artwork. This activity provided a fun, unique way of painting that made it easier for those with arm mobility issues to participate and fostered lung exercise.
A Program Rooted in Tradition and Innovation
The Art for Life Program began in 1999 as a small folk and traditional arts apprenticeship grant. It blossomed into a statewide initiative following a 2001–2003 pilot project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, NDCA has become a national leader in the arts and health movement, particularly in elder care.
The program’s mission is simple yet profound: to improve the emotional and physical well-being of older adults through meaningful ongoing engagement with the arts. It fosters partnerships between artists, elder care facilities, schools, and local organizations, drawing on both folk and contemporary art forms to create inclusive, culturally resonant community-focused experiences.
Enderlin’s FY25 Report: A Portrait of Impact
At the end of fiscal year 2025, longtime program personnel from Enderlin Municipal Fine Arts Association and Maryhill Manor formed a team to review the past year's program and assess the impact. The team, which consisted of Lollie Adair, the arts organization’s Art for Life Program coordinator, and Maryhill staff Bailyn Hildestad (CEO/Administrator), Donna Orn (Activity Director), and Bobby Stanley (Activities Coordinator), painted a vivid picture of the program’s transformative power. “The Art for Life Program had a noticeable positive impact on both the emotional and physical well-being of our residents,” they wrote. “Emotionally, residents displayed improved mood and reduced anxiety during and after sessions. Many expressed a sense of pride, accomplishment, and joy, which helped counteract the three plagues of loneliness, boredom, and helplessness.”
Residents who were once withdrawn began to engage more consistently with peers and staff. One individual, previously reluctant to join group activities, began attending art sessions regularly, showing increased eye contact and verbal communication. Staff noted that her PHQ-9 depression score improved over the course of the program, coinciding with increased social interaction and decreased isolation.
Art as Therapy
The benefits weren’t solely emotional. “From a physical standpoint,” the team noted, “the gentle, purposeful movements involved in painting and crafting supported fine motor skills and helped reduce agitation in residents with dementia.” On days when art sessions were held, nursing staff observed fewer instances of PRN (as-needed) anxiety or pain medication usage. Hydration and meal intake also improved for some participants, as they remained more alert and engaged following the sessions.
Through the Art for Life program, artwork made in collaboration between artists and Maryhill residents adorn the walls of the care facility. Pieper Bloomquist, an Art for Life teaching artist, engaged residents (above) in reminiscence of childhood stories. Those narratives were then used to create a Swedish bonadsmålning painting (below). Studies indicate that merely looking at nostalgic images reduces pain perception. The activity also sparks memories, fosters connections, and combats loneliness.
Stories That Stay With You
The report is rich with moments that speak to the program’s deep impact. One resident with moderate-stage dementia painted a farm scene and, in the process, began sharing vivid memories of childhood farm life—stories his family had never heard before. “For days after that session, he was noticeably more interactive and was observed initiating conversation with peers during meals,” the reporting team recalled.
Another resident, typically reluctant to get out of bed, requested to attend the next art activity early after participating in a gratitude-themed collage session. That week, staff documented increased motivation in her daily activities and fewer reminders needed for basic care.
“These stories, paired with documentation from activity staff and nursing, reflect the broader impact of the program—not just as a leisure activity, but as a therapeutic intervention promoting dignity, connection, and wellness,” the team concluded.
A Ripple Effect Beyond the Canvas
The Art for Life Program doesn’t just stay within the walls of care facilities. According to NDCA Folklorist Troyd Geist, one art activity in Enderlin—making spear fish decoys—sparked a wave of community action. As residents reminisced about fishing, they expressed a wish to go again. That wish led to a multi-year effort involving the city, county, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stabilize a section of the Maple River and install a wheelchair-accessible fishing dock. “Now the residents in wheelchairs can go there and fish,” Geist says. “Inspired by an art activity.”
Looking Ahead
The success of the Art for Life Program in Enderlin is a testament to the power of creativity, community, and care. It shows that art is not just a pastime—it’s a pathway to healing, connection, and rediscovery. As the program continues to grow, it offers a model for how the arts can enrich lives at every stage.
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North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support, development, and preservation of the arts throughout North Dakota and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.