Sandra Albo (back, third from right) presents a cheque from the Okanagan Art Gallery to Scott Nichol, chief executive officer and owner of Country Squire Retirement Villa. Under a banner saying “Art is the Smile of the Soul,” are some of the paintings done by residents. Pictured from left are: (front row) Legh Langston, artist Sharon Leonard, Deborah Weleschuk and Jill Rogers. (Back row): Nichol, artist Michael Jorden, Riette McMahon, Estelle Nichol (Scott Nichol’s daughter), activity worker Robyn Nichol (Scott Nichol’s wife), Albo, director of care Cheryl Moir and activity worker Arun Pal. (Richard McGuire photo)
Each week, Osoyoos artist Sharon Leonard spends time at Country Squire Retirement Villa just north of town teaching art to a group of residents.
Their creations in acrylics and watercolours are pinned to a bulletin board in the room where they work under a heading that says: “Art is the Smile of the Soul.”
Leonard says she’s seen a big difference in the self-esteem of the residents, who are in the facility because of serious and persistent mental health issues.
“When we first came in, they were quite dependent on you,” recalls Leonard. “But now I come in and they have the room all set up, they get the coffee. I think they are feeling more independent.”
The program was started by local artists years ago and other artists have taught it, including Bev Vorley, who has taken turns with Leonard. Felicia Taylor, who was involved with the program for seven years, also took turns with Leonard to teach the program. Taylor still goes every few weeks, sometimes bringing supplies. Leonard guesses the program has been going for nearly two decades.
Recently the program received a boost when artists from the Okanagan Art Gallery in Osoyoos presented a cheque for $875 to Scott Nichol, chief executive officer and owner of the facility, for the purchase of art materials.
On hand to make the presentation were local artists Michael Jorden and Sandra Albo.
“I belong to Artists on Main, but I haven’t been involved in the teaching like Sharon has,” explained Albo. “I’ve been very interested in what they do, and they’re always looking for supplies and things. Mike and I both decided that we’d like to do something for the community from our Okanagan Art Gallery.”
They organized a silent auction in July of six-by-six-inch panels painted or printed by gallery members.
The bidding table remained open to the end of July, and of the works that sold, the artist kept half and they other half went for their chosen charity, the Country Squire, Jorden explained. The gallery waived its commission.
Leonard said the residents would be able to purchase new paints with the donation.
Some of the residents have made big strides with their art and some were talented to begin with, she said.
But the most important part of the program is the socialization, she added.
“Art therapy is becoming a really big thing with all kinds of situations,” said Leonard. “ We are learning that when people are doing art, they’re relaxed and happy.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
