Art has a unique way of bringing people together.
Sometimes the simplest projects leave the biggest impression. At Edgewood Sioux Falls, a resident-led art project recently earned first place at the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference Art Contest. While the award brought statewide recognition, those inside the community knew the project had already accomplished something much bigger.
The SDAHO Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference Art Contest invites care communities across the state to submit original works that reflect engagement, collaboration, and resident experience. Entries are showcased and judged at the statewide conference, recognizing work that demonstrates how residents and care teams create meaning together.
At Edgewood Sioux Falls, the project began with Wellness & Enrichment Coordinator Sheena Sinkgraven, who wanted residents to shape something hands-on rather than simply observe.
While searching for inspiration, she found a quote that became the foundation of the work:
“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”
The activity started with a table full of ink pads, paint, paper, and pages from old books. Residents gathered around, talking, laughing, and deciding how they wanted the project to come together.
The group chose fingerprints instead of handprints because each one was unique. As fingerprints filled the page, flowers, trees, and colorful patterns began to take shape.
Residents, caregivers, and team members all added their own fingerprints over the course of the day. With every new print, the artwork became less about the finished piece and more about the people who helped create it. It was a simple reminder that every person leaves a mark on the lives around them.
Wellness & Enrichment is shaped by the people who live it.
Since joining Edgewood in 2016, Ashley Magner, Corporate Memory Care & Wellness & Enrichment Services Director, has seen how each community brings that philosophy to life in its own way.
In Sioux Falls, that philosophy came to life through shared creativity and participation.
When the finished piece was submitted to the SDAHO contest, it joined entries from care communities across the state. It was later named the first-place winner and awarded $2,500. While the recognition was an honor, residents had already experienced what made the project special.
They watched it grow one fingerprint at a time as neighbors, caregivers, and team members each added something uniquely their own. The award recognized the artwork. The experience is what made it meaningful.
“What is so special is seeing programs built around specific residents and staff,” Magner said. “We know the same high standards exist across the board, but each community reflects its residents and team in a unique way.”
Why It Matters
To learn more about Edgewood Healthcare or schedule a visit, contact info@edgewoodhealthcare.com.
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