Shaping Community Through Art and Communications John Brand Sculpts Life of Purpose, Creativity, and Connection at Trillium Woods

A Life of Learning, Creativity, and Connection at Trillium Woods

At Trillium Woods, retired oral and maxillofacial radiologist and university professor John Brand has found a perfect setting to continue pursuing his passions: teaching, learning, and building meaningful connections.

Brand and his wife, Diane, moved to Plymouth, MN’s premier Life Plan senior living community four years ago, drawn by both personal history and practical considerations. “My grandfather’s and uncles’ farm was half a mile from here,” Brand recalls. “In fact, Trillium is on what used to be the Williams Farm, where my sister would visit to ride the family’s horse. I feel very connected to this locale.”

At the same time, the couple knew they wanted a community that could support Diane if her Parkinson’s disease progressed. “One of the reasons we’re here is because we could go from independent living to assisted living if it became necessary,” Brand explains. “We didn’t need help at first, but Diane has been in skilled nursing care and rehabilitation after a recent surgery. We’re expecting her to come home soon, but being able to visit and be with her easily as she continues to heal has made an enormous difference in the meantime.”

Trillium Woods offers residents a vibrant, maintenance-free lifestyle designed to support both independence and peace of mind. Set on beautifully landscaped grounds, the community features walking paths, welcoming gathering spaces, multiple dining venues, and a wide range of wellness, cultural, and lifelong learning opportunities. Residents can choose how to spend their days — whether pursuing creative interests, staying physically active, enjoying chef-prepared meals, connecting with neighbors, or simply relaxing.

The community’s full continuum of care ensures that support is available on campus if health needs change, allowing couples like the Brands to remain close while receiving the services they need.

From 2-D Radiology to 3-D Sculpture

Brand’s professional journey took him far from Minnesota before ultimately bringing him home. After earning his degree at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, he joined the faculty and spent 12 years teaching. He later served as head of Oral Radiology Program at the University of Oklahoma, taught at the University of Detroit Mercy, and completed his academic career at the University of Nebraska.

“I was in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, which meant I was very interested in the head and jaws,” he says. “It’s the newest dental specialty. There are probably only about 350 of us in the United States.”

Though dentistry is often described as both an art and a science, Brand found himself most drawn to the analytical side. “What interested me was the diagnostic process — being the detective who can figure out what’s really going on,” he explains. “If you get the diagnosis right, the treatment will follow logically.”

Yet the artistic dimension was also important. As a dental student, he carved wax patterns that would be cast into gold, and he set teeth for dentures — experiences that sharpened his manual dexterity and creative instincts. About 30 years ago, he began sculpting in earnest, and that interest eventually resurfaced at Trillium Woods.

“I wanted to sculpt again,” Brand says. “And I realized the best way to do that would be to have a bunch of people sculpting. Of course, I immediately became the resident sculpting instructor.”

Clay, Curiosity, and Creative Freedom

Over the past four years, Brand has led three sculpture classes, each running for several weeks. Participants work with clay, learning how to manage its moisture levels, hollow out thicker forms to prevent kiln explosions, and apply finishing techniques such as acrylic paint and paste wax.

“The clay calls the shot,” he says with a smile. “You have to keep the clay moist enough to sculpt and model; the drying clay will do what it wants to do.”

His early classes focused on a shared project — life-size portrait sculptures — but Brand soon shifted his approach. “The participants wanted to sculpt what they wanted to do,” he explains. “So, in the next class, we had a Viking ship, three-quarter-size cats, a Japanese actress, and a horse’s head. They went in all different directions.”

The resulting exhibit drew enthusiastic reviews from fellow residents. Just as rewarding for Brand was the intellectual energy of his students. “This is a sharp group,” he says. “They’re very pleasant and very intelligent. You can’t talk to someone for more than three minutes without discovering some connection between acquaintances, residences, or interests.”

Writing, Reflection, and Honest Conversations

Brand’s commitment to lifelong learning extends far beyond sculpture. With the help of fellow resident Marsha Copeland, he helped launch the New Writers’ Group, in which members share short pieces and offer gentle feedback. Brand uses the group as a laboratory for creative experimentation.

“I’ve written about my first date, about planning the wedding service Diane and I had 50 years ago, even my own obituary,” he says. “Most recently, I wrote a speech entirely in sonnets — in iambic pentameter with a Shakespearean rhyme scheme.”

Another important initiative is the Movement Disorders Support Group, which Brand co-facilitates with Diane. The group offers education, empathy, and practical support for residents living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. One memorable event was our so-called “Parkinson Olympics,” featuring stations designed to simulate common symptoms of the condition.

“We had people try to sign their names while their arm was being jostled, or chase uncooked macaroni on and then off a plate,” he explains. “It created empathy, but also showed that small adaptations can make life easier. Most importantly, it was a way of saying, ‘Don’t suffer alone. Join us.’”

Brand also helps facilitate the well-established Men’s Group by helping introduce topics that spark candid interaction. “We go around the room, and each person has 90 seconds,” he says. “They’re amazingly honest. I’ve invited them to talk about luck, pride, first dates, and next month we’ll talk about things they collected as a child or adult.”

Everyday Moments That Matter

For Brand, some of the most meaningful experiences at Trillium Woods are also the simplest. Dining is a particular pleasure. “One of the strengths of Trillium is that the food is really good,” he says. “I wind up sitting with people I’ve never met, and within minutes you’re

discovering shared histories — where you worked, where you went to school. Conversation just flows.”

He also values the community’s culture of welcome. “When Trillium first opened, the first residents really set the tone,” Brand reflects. “They decided it would be a friendly and connected community. That spirit has been perpetuated.”

Today, even as the community grows, Brand continues to see new residents quickly become part of the fabric. Three participants in his most recent sculpture class were newcomers who moved into Trillium when the recent expansion opened. “They just blended right in,” he says. “That’s what this place does.”

A Teacher at Heart

Despite his many interests — writing, sculpting, poetry, public speaking, lifelong learning courses, and community leadership — Brand’s motivation remains consistent. “My intention is to be, either written or orally, a good communicator,” he says. “Teaching has been my life. It hasn’t changed.”

At Trillium Woods, that dedication enriches not only his own retirement but also the lives of the neighbors who learn, create, and grow alongside him.

Learn More

Discover if the vibrant, maintenance-free Trillium Woods lifestyle could be right for you or someone you love. Schedule a visit at https://www.trilliumwoodslcs.com/#/further/55.