LEAPing into art
P.E.I. Seniors Federation sponsors program
It would come as no surprise that shades of pinks and purples would dominate Anna Smith’s artwork.
The Maplewood Manor resident admits they’re her favourite colours.
Smith, along with other residents of the manor, spent one day a week over the past 10 weeks learning painting tips from West Prince artist Sara Lee Perry.
Smith appreciated the opportunity to learn painting tips and said she found mixing the paints interesting.
“It was the same for us all. I think we were all new at it. That’s why we enjoyed it so much,” Smith commented.
It was a fun learning experience for Perry, too. Working with seniors with different abilities and some with mobility challenges, she said made her thing outside of the box.
“It really made me challenge myself,” said Perry of finding ways to teach art to the residents.
Perry, who owns Sara Lee’s Art Studio and Gallery in Alberton, delivers Brushes Gone Wild art project sessions.
She said the Maplewood Manor program was offered with a twist. Family members of the residents helped with the lessons and volunteers assisted with painting the backgrounds and touching up the focal points of the projects. Some residents completed their art pieces independently.
The lessons were made possible through the Learning Elders Arts Program (LEAP), that is funded by the Department of Education and delivered by the P.E.I. Seniors Federation.
“I really enjoyed my time with them,” Perry said.
The program concluded with an art show, complete with music.
Following the public art show the residents put their art pieces on display in their rooms. Many of them still have projects in their rooms from last year’s LEAP.