Brookdale Wornall residents add sparkle to this weekend’s art sale

By Kathy Feist

It’s been a couple of years since Brookdale Wornall Place  has held its annual art sale, thanks to the pandemic. But this year a last minute decision was made to open it up to the public.

“We decided yes we would allow people to come in this year,” says Norma Mauer. “We would have the art sale in our lobby.”

That’s good news to the residents who have been working long hours this past year with an artform called diamond painting. 

Diamond painting is a new craft hobby that’s a mix between Paint By Numbers and cross stitch. Thousands of tiny colored resin “diamonds” are painstakingly placed on a coded adhesive canvas to reproduce artwork with shimmer. 

“Everything glistens,” says Mauer. 

Scenes from the kits range from classic artwork such as Monet and Van Gogh to the typical season’s greetings designs.

Brookdale resident Bud Lauer introduced the hobby in January to his fellow residents, who were growing tired of putting together puzzles during the pandemic. 

“I can’t tell you how many hours we’ve put into it,” says Maur. She estimates 35 to 40 hours for each painting.  

“It’s very addictive. We never want to stop,” says Laura Purnell as she picks up a dot-sized diamond with tweezers. “All we’ve seen for the past year is the top of our heads!”

There are 45 paintings that will each be featured in a silent auction November 20 and 21. Curious art lovers can view the artwork in the lobby and place a bid prior to the auction, but then must leave. Each time a buyer is outbid, he or she will be notified by phone.  A Holiday Sale featuring other handcrafted items made by the residents will also be for sale over the weekend. 

Brookdale Wornall Place is located at 501 W 107 St. For more information, call 816-941-7777.

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