40th Anniversary Tapestry Honors Lenbrook’s Vibrant Sense of Community
From Lenbrook’s earliest days in 1983, people and stories have woven together to create a strong sense of community. To celebrate that important feeling of connectedness, Lenbrook commissioned renowned Georgia textile artist Lyn Sterling Montagne to create a tapestry as part of its recent 40th anniversary celebration.
She blends traditional techniques with modern design and uses dyes with colors inspired by nature and sustainable materials. Known for her ability to weave stories and emotions into every thread, Lyn was inspired by the strong sense of unity and connection within Lenbrook, its impact on and connection to the greater Atlanta community, and its love of using nature to create energy and vibrancy within the community.
“Stories from our residents, associates, board members, and families inspired the tapestry, and it is a tribute to the unity and shared purpose that creates the Lenbrook Difference,” said Felecia Sveda, Chief Operating Officer of Lenbrook. “It celebrates 40 years of our rich history and culture, beautifully captures the deep-rooted sense of community at Lenbrook, and reflects the three campus expansions – all woven together to create one amazing community.”
The tapestry has three doorways, which symbolize Lenbrook’s three towers as well as life transitions. The shared experiences, bonds, and collective spirit that define Lenbrook are brought to life through the tapestry’s intricate designs, textures, and colors that echo the vibrant, interwoven relationships among community members.
Lyn has a studio in her home with a central hallway and a closed-in patio with lots of light. Over the years, she photographed images reflected in the patio’s glass doors, including one of a female figure in the doorway reflecting the outside garden and light. She drew on those photos as inspiration for the Lenbrook tapestry.
“Lenbrook wanted an abstract piece with color and natural elements,” Lyn said. “I used a series of photos of the doorway with natural images moving in from the garden to inspire me and drew watercolor botanical pictures. Then I applied a gouache pigment and added images of people to make it more personable and relatable.”
Lyn put the image on the wall and began weaving strips of cloth together. She overdyed some of them, then sewed them all together. The tapestry has 2,000 half-hitch knots on the top and bottom, giving it a clean, pretty finish. It hangs at Lenbrook on a French cleat and stands out one inch from the wall.
“Like Lenbrook, Lyn is inspired by emotions, human connections, and personal journeys, which shape and connect us as humans,” Sveda said. “As we reflected on completing Kingsboro and the refresh of our main first floor, it was the right time to celebrate and memorialize our community with its strong culture rooted in shared values and an unwavering mission and acknowledge that we are positioned well for a bright future.”
