There’s no doubt that Otterbein Granville and Denison University maintain a special bond, offering engaging opportunities for both residents and students. One unique program is a favorite among residents here: the artist-in-residence. This program gives one Denison student an inside look at the life plan community every summer.
The intergenerational program allows a student studying fine arts to not only interact with residents through art but also live in one of the homes on campus. A truly immersive experience, the artist-in-residence program gives students the chance to learn from resident mentors, and residents the opportunity to experience new art forms from an energetic and enthusiastic young adult.
We are excited to introduce Velvet Sellers, our 2024 artist-in-residence!
All About Artist-In-Residence Velvet Sellers
A creative, and motivated individual, Velvet loves combining her talents and interests in her studies, work experiences, and day-to-day life.
“I am passionate about self-expression, understanding others, and creating a safe and welcoming environment everywhere I go,” said Velvet. “I love to learn about the world around me and solve problems in creative ways.”
Velvet is a graduate of Springfield Local High School and Penta Career Center, where she studied interactive media and graphic design. She plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing from Denison University in May 2025.
In addition to her studies, Velvet works as a seamstress for the costume shop at Denison and as a freelance graphic designer. She was thrilled at the chance to share her love of creative arts with the residents at Otterbein Granville.
Related: Get to know artist-in-residence Lily Thomas >>
Velvet’s Artist-In-Residence Summer Highlights
“I conducted 25 workshops on different topics throughout the summer, including art, music, animation, fashion, color/design, photography, painting, and creative writing,” said Velvet.
Although attendance ranged from five to 11 participants, feedback was positive and those participating wished more had joined them. One of the summer highlights was a guided tour of the Columbus Museum of Art. Velvet said 18 residents participated and enjoyed lunch at a restaurant after the tour.
“I felt very supported by staff and the residents here,” added Velvet. “They made me feel welcome and were very helpful.”
Velvet stayed in one of Otterbein Granville’s cottage-style homes and lived among the residents. She dined with them, engaged in programming, and embraced the maintenance-free lifestyle.
“The living arrangements were great! I loved having a cottage to myself and utilized the space and time for preparation for my workshops,” said Velvet. “It was a life-changing summer, and I would love to come back and visit during the school year.”
Discover More Engaging Opportunities at Otterbein Granville
Velvet was a wonderful addition to our community’s artist-in-residence program. Are you interested in exploring more of our lifelong learning programming? View our website to gain further insights into our culture and partnership with Denison University.
