In the wide-open landscape of northeastern Wyoming, creativity took root in an unexpected form: whimsical gnome houses made from foil, glue, and imagination. For six weeks, older adults across Campbell County gathered at their libraries in Gillette and Wright not just to craft, but to connect.
Led by Outreach Librarian Krisene Watson and teaching artist Vermona Peterson, the Gnome House Project offered more than an introduction to sculpture. It created a shared creative studio that spanned 45 miles and brought together two rural communities in a joyful celebration of art.
At its core, the Gnome House program was designed for adults ages 55 and older to explore sculptural techniques using low-cost, accessible materials: paper towels, foil, tape, glue, and acrylic paint. With guidance and creative freedom, participants built detailed gnome homes complete with winding paths, miniature gardens, clotheslines, and tiny furniture.
Vermona offered inspiration and technique, but artistic choices belonged to the learners. No two projects looked alike, and as confidence grew, so did laughter and camaraderie. One participant built a camper; another created a woodland scene with tiny animals. The room buzzed with questions, encouragement, and shared moments of discovery.
By design, this was not a one-off craft session. It was a six-week journey rooted in creative aging practices, where participants learned new skills, solved artistic challenges, and discovered their creative voice.
The program launched simultaneously at both library locations using a hybrid setup connecting Gillette and Wright. Early technology challenges meant Krisene occasionally made the 40-minute drive to Wright to keep sessions running smoothly. The commitment paid off. Once stabilized, the hybrid model worked seamlessly, showing that distance does not have to limit meaningful, multi-week arts learning.
The program culminated in a public exhibition at the AVA Community Art Center in Gillette, where more than 60 visitors admired the finished gnome houses alongside fused glass from another library program. Grandchildren marveled at their grandparents’ creativity, and some participants began recreating projects at home with family. One artist even entered her gnome house in the county fair.
“It wasn’t just about art,” Krisene said. “It was about visibility, connection, and honoring older adults as artists and makers.”
The road to success included obstacles. Technology limitations made early sessions difficult for Wright participants, while staff managed supply transport, equipment troubleshooting, and a wide range of skill levels, all within a tight three-week planning timeline.
Each challenge brought insight. Vermona adapted her teaching to meet learners where they were. The team identified key technology upgrades for future programs. Krisene relied on her Lifetime Arts training to move efficiently from vision to implementation.
Support from the library foundation covered upfront material costs, keeping the program accessible and demonstrating the value of philanthropic partnerships in rural creative aging work.
The most meaningful outcomes were relational. One participant who began quietly grew confident and engaged by the final class. Two others reconnected after 20 years. A small group pooled money to buy resin for “ponds” in their gnome scenes, reflecting shared ownership and collaboration.
Participant evaluations echoed these experiences, highlighting new friendships, renewed purpose, and the joy of learning something new. Many now visit the library specifically seeking art programs, a clear sign that creative aging has taken root.
For Vermona, a longtime educator who had not previously taught older adults in visual arts, the experience was deeply rewarding. She valued participants’ engagement, their encouragement of one another, and her partnership with Krisene. Together, they created a space where older adults felt supported in taking creative risks.
Krisene and Vermona offer the following guidance:
Today, Campbell County Public Library is more than a place for books. It is a place where older adults come to create, connect, and be seen. The Gnome House Project showed that with modest materials and thoughtful planning, creative aging programs can thrive, even across long distances.
As Krisene shared, “These programs don’t just fill a calendar. They change how people see themselves, each other, and the library.”
Krisene has received thirteen creative aging grants and is passionate about the connections and joy these programs bring to participants. She especially values seeing attendees build friendships, gain confidence while learning new skills, and leave each class with artwork they are proud to share. These experiences continue to inspire her advocacy for creative aging programs. She enjoys hiking and photographing Wyoming’s abundant wildlife, flowers, and sunsets, as well as creating wooden book boxes, painting, and spending time with a great book.
Vermona is a retired Wyoming resident who loves fun and creative pursuits such as glass work, painting, paper crafts, and clay. She enjoys camping, hiking, side-by-side riding, and watching nature in the Wyoming and South Dakota mountains with her husband and dog. Vermona also has a great time training and competing in scent work trials with her amazing dog, Riley.