03/23/2026
BEYOND ARTcare…
ARTcare offers Grace Village residents the opportunity to discover, explore or re-kindle their creative talent as they find purpose and joy in their “golden years” lifestyle and quality of life at Grace!
This is a story about Fred Homburg, who recently passed-way and was an Artist-In-Residence and member of the ARTcare Program for seven years.
Fred was a little apprehensive when he first started in ARTcare but once he realized he could explore his passion for tractors, automobiles and almost anything mechanical, he was “hooked”! His over 100 original drawings were drawn with mathematical precision which reflected his math teaching career.
His wife Jeannine, helped him save and preserve his many drawings in four three-ring binders, which have become family heirlooms and passed onto his two children and shared with friends, former students and co-workers.
Here is some insight into Fred’s ARTjourney, shared by his wife, Jeannine, “It all started the day I found a newpaper clipping in his mother’s attic. The clipping featured a drawing of a tractor by 4th grader Freddy Homburg. Some years later, after Fred had been in Assisted Living at Grace he asked the whereabouts of “the picture”. I took it and soon his life changed! He was bored with nothing much to do. Then one day, Fred encountered the Art Care teacher, Michael, and showed him “his picture”. Fred wasn’t interested in Art Care at first. Then. . . he accepted Michael’s invitation and thereafter went to Art Care every chance he had. Having been a math teacher, Fred focused on perspective, proportion, precision, detail. . . sometimes driving Michael, “up the wall’! He soon started getting requests, Ruthie wanted a roadster, Doris a dragster, Steve a motorcycle and Dave a jet. Brian gave Fred ideas for the next project, hallway neighbors suggested titles, ribbons were won at the County Fair and Fred even encouraged a roommate to begin drawing geometric designs.
None of Fred’s works will ever hang in the Louvre but many of his family members and friends will have sketches full of memories.
Grace residents, no matter your skill level, there is a place for you in Art Care. You will make new friends and will enjoy a sence of accomplishment! Now’s the time to try “doodling”, dabbling in paint or creating colorful designs. Art Care will always appreciate your monetary & moral support.
Happy “doodling” Fred! Jeannine”
One of his favorite drawings that he was so proud of was a drawing of his Elementary School and his school bus, in Clymer, Indiana, where he grew up! The school today has been preserved, renovated and is now the Fire Station for the city of Clymer and surrounding area. Fred’s family has framed the drawings and will gift them to hang in the Clymer Fire Department.
Fred is just one example of residents who have created art in ARTcare and gifted it to family, friends and into the community and beyond. Fred, now our ARTcare Angel, will be forever missed!
