Art programs bring the joy of creativity to residents
Friday May 23, 2003 Sheri Fiegehen
KANATA ON—For Frank Talbot, a resident at Garden Terrace, watercolour painting is more than an artistic hobby – it’s a spiritual experience. “Painting is relaxing,” says Frank, who most enjoys painting landscapes and naturescapes. “It’s a way for me to get outside in the woods, and look at all of what Mother Nature has to offer, in an up-close way. I love the atmosphere – it makes me feel good.”

A life-long painter, Frank couldn’t have been happier when a biweekly arts group was established at Garden Terrace a couple of months ago. The facilitator, Salena Savoury, a life enrichment aide, took the initiative to start the program, as well as a one-on-one art therapy program for residents with Alzheimer disease and dementia.

“Art can be used to help heal. It has therapeutic value, by helping people rekindle their creative essence,” explains Salena. “When you experience a creative release, there’s a special feeling that goes along with it. You re-connect with a feeling that you didn’t even know was missing. You feel better.”

Salena, in addition to being a life enrichment aide, develops and operates these programs on a volunteer basis.

“OMNI is allowing me to do this. They’ve been very supportive of me,” she says.

Salena, a life-long artist who graduates from Algonquin College’s Expressive Arts Therapy course in June, first started implementing her new-found skills last fall, when she worked at OMNI's Forest Hill in Kanata.

She began working at Garden Terrace in February, and has continued to facilitate art programs and art therapy. Currently, she works one-on-one with about four residents at Garden Terrace, and still sees one resident at Forest Hill. About five residents participate regularly in the group sessions, with a handful of others who like to come watch the artists in action.

Painting and pastels are the most popular, though some residents also enjoy other artistic pursuits such as carving and basket weaving, says Salena. In fact, the residents recently displayed their creations in an art show.

“It was great for them to be able to show their work. It gives them a sense of pride, which adds to that great feeling of creative release,” says Salena.