Coloring their world

An adult art class in Boyertown brings out the joy and creativity in what once was considered a childhood pastime.

Using colored pencils, their imaginations, and some tips from a local artist, about two dozen seniors created their own artwork during a coloring class at Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care in Boyertown.

Professional artist Julie Longacre of Boyertown started by giving seniors from Chestnut Knoll and the community black and white prints of a picture she created of a typical Berks County fieldstone farm, complete with a large barn and farmhouse.

She then taught them how to color by scribbling with the pencils and overlaying, shading and contouring, with each participant choosing the colors.

It was the first such class at Chestnut Knoll since the pandemic limited outside visitors, and it was intended to be fun, instructive and relaxing for those who took part, said resident life director Diane Heffner.

“Coloring is very calming,” Heffner said. “A resident once told me that ‘coloring settles the chaos in me.'”

Several in the class were from Chestnut Knoll's memory unit, and coloring has been shown to benefit those with memory issues, she said.

It was fun for Longacre to see how those in the class put their personal touches on her work, she said.

“I always enjoy the different ways people color it, and how they explore their own techniques,” she said. “Everybody has a different sense of color and balance.

It shows off their personalities, and who they are.”

Coloring is also good for hand-eye coordination, motor skills and overall wellness, she said.

“It's a nice escape, somewhere between relaxation and meditation,” she said. “It's a really good pastime.”

Both Verona McCord of Zionsville and Eleanor Ritter of Bally color often and have enjoyed Longacre's classes before.

They came Saturday with dozens of their own colored pencils in their favorite shades, and liked that they could take home the art they created.

Both have framed some of their past works.

McCord grew up painting her dad's woodworking creations and said coloring is a way to keep her artistic talents going.

“I love it,” she said.

MIKE URBAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Taking part in a coloring class at Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care in Boyertown are Margaret Dooner, left, who lives at the facility, Verona McCord, center, of Zionsville, and Eleanor Ritter of Bally.

MIKE URBAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Artist Julie Longacre, left, gives coloring instruction to Alexandra “Sandra” Pfenig, a resident of Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care in Boyertown, during a class at the facility on Saturday.