Learning a new skill at any age
Maple Hill Manor residents loving art group
At age 97, Irmine MacKenzie found out something new about herself: she has a flare for painting.
MacKenzie, a resident of Maple Hill Manor nursing home in New Waterford, is part of a new art group that started at the manor this year.
“I love it. I’ve found it very soothing,” she said.
MacKenzie said she has been part of the group since it formed in March and she was not only especially proud of a barn she painted, but so was her family.
“My son Brendan was so proud of it that he took it to a place and got postcards made of it,” she said.
“Now I can send the postcards for birthdays and for other things.”
MacKenzie said her son enjoys seeing her paintings during his visits every Saturday morning.
“I couldn’t have any better company. I enjoy my Saturday mornings and he says he does too.”
Originally of Pubnico near Yarmouth, MacKenzie moved to Cape Breton in 1964, living in an apartment on top of the Co-op store her husband managed in Margaree.
On Wednesday she was found painting a boat.
“I think I will give this picture to my sister Denise Amirault in as it would give her a lot of memories of when we’d all go on our boat to the Twin Islands.”
The art group was started by the manor’s recreation director Wil Van Hal who has painted for about 15 years and took a course at Cape Breton University by Dominion artist Kenny Boone.
“I can see the therapeutic advantages painting gives me so I thought we could try with our recreation program here to give people a sense of self discovery,” he said.
“No one is ever too old to learn a new skill. Out of 11 of our residents who have taken part, 10 have never painted before. This has been really empowering that way.”
van Hal sets up in the activity room every Wednesday and any residents wishing to take part shows up and he assists them one-on-one.
“They discovered a confidence and sense of pride in their own abilities as they created beautiful pieces of art.”
In November, an art show was held at the manor, and recently through assistance of Breton Ability Centre, calendars for 2018 were created with each month featuring a resident’s painting, photo of the resident and biography.
“We are selling the calendars as a fundraiser to help sustain the program, buy more canvas and paint,” he added.
Maple Hill Manor resident Mervyn Poole, originally of Newfoundland, has painted for many years.
“While I was in Newfoundland
I painted mostly fishermen’s boats,” he said.
“I like painting anything that catches my eye.”
Poole also helps with the other residents needing some assistance.
Annie MacEachern, originally of New Victoria, has been participating in the painting program and has lovebirds in their calendars.
“I like to paint and to draw different things,” she said.
The Maple Hill Manor calendars are $10 each and anyone wishing to purchase one can do so at the manor located at 700 King St. or call 902-862-6495.