Fine art, indeed.

As the residents sat around and gazed at their blank papers and each other, they asked for inspiration. They were encouraged to paint or draw what they knew, what they felt. Then as if by some miracle, a slow wave moved over each artist as they all nodded in agreement like they were saying, "I remember this, and I can do this." The residents drew inspiration from themselves and realized that it was there all along. Most importantly, each resident's art is then treasured, valued for its creator, and valued for each person's uniqueness.

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The St. Leonard Studio Art program was developed in November 2004 to fulfill a need that was expressed by our independent residents. St. Leonard, in Centerville, Ohio, is operated by the Franciscan Services Corporation and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Located on a 240-acre campus, St. Leonard is a self-contained senior living community with residents of all faiths. Levels of care provided to residents include independent, assisted living, skilled nursing, and adult day care.

Our residents had already downsized by giving up much of their personal items and space. Now they had come to a point in their lives where they wanted to express themselves through fine art. Not only did they need the space to be able to work again, but they needed the mentoring and encouragement to feel creative again. The artistic process gives the resident a wonderful way to escape pain and provides a healthy release from the here and now. It also gives back control because all choices of creativity are in the hands of the artist.

Our campus had arts and crafts programs, but lacked the fine art element. The creative process is so very similar for each of these functions and yet so very different. Some requests were basic and simple, such as "All I need is a table." After providing a table, and offering supplies, the next question residents had was "Do I remember how to create, to be free, to use my talents?"

Residents were invited to spend time with other artists in a supportive environment. At first, they were hesitant and halting. Many were ready to give up at the first hint of criticism of or imperfection in their work. Several were retired from the art profession and could not believe the results they achieved. Their once-polished photorealism had given way to the results of the shaky hand and mixed perceptions of the mind. Some residents could not even identify with their work. They said, "This cannot be mine."

At this point, the program's future was in a fragile state. However, history came to our rescue. We showed the class books on famous artists whose early pieces looked quite different from those done in their mature years. We encouraged residents to look at the difference that these artists' mature work had on society and how it influenced the art world. They took another look at their own art and agreed to give it a try.

The artists became very prolific, and images within images began to appear. Staff assisting the group cropped and edited the art as needed, and it was then submitted to a printer to make greeting cards, calendars, and other novelty items. The program has recovered the printing cost through sales of these items and is now a profitable venture. Residents have donated the profits back to the St. Leonard Studio Art program for future supply and printing costs. They marvel at the attention that they are getting and how quickly their creations sell. They are entering art shows and have had their work displayed on the campus's television station for all to enjoy. Also, they have been chosen to illustrate a cookbook, which is in the works, sponsored by our foundation.

One of the goals of the program was to have our residents realize how incredibly wonderful they are and to help them to see the beautiful things their hands can create. Another goal was to encourage them to move past their losses and to begin problem solving again. Once this part of the plan was put in motion, we wanted residents to be able to become part of the community by contributing and having a voice in the production of their own work.

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Why are we trying to accomplish this through art and the creative process? When we create we can feel closer to God--how he may have felt by creating magnificence from nothing. Creating fine art is empowering, mystifying, and truly satisfying. Liny Lommerse is a resident of St. Leonard's Chaminade Hall and the artist who painted Quiet Retreat. She has spinal stenosis and is always in pain. Although her painting is on a defined surface, Liny's peace and vision are extended into infinity. This painting is a symbol of the escape from pain that she experiences when she paints. "When I'm painting I forget the pain," she says. "I only think about my art." She specializes in landscapes and old buildings. Her artwork has evolved quite a bit, as her colors are brighter and her skills are more refined.

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Creativity helps residents solve problems and overcome obstacles rather than giving up. Creativity is a gift, but it is easy to lose when residents face illness and losses; therefore, it must be nurtured and encouraged.

Creativity is also a very absorbing process, one in which residents can lose track of time, be less aware of pain, and forget that they may be alone in this world. The process often starts like a dream: At the beginning, residents are aware of their surroundings and may be full of distractions, pain, and worry. If they can push past that stage, they drift off into the realm that connects the heart and the soul. The final stage is where the artist returns to the here and now and is refreshed.

We have accomplished our goals with this program by empowering and motivating this core group. "Debra coming to St. Leonard and implementing Studio Art was the best thing that happened to my sister," notes Trudy Lommerse, Liny's sister, also a Chaminade Hall resident. "Through Studio Art, Debra always inspires her to do more than she thought she could."

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The program now has a life of its own. We have implemented it in other sections of our campus. The Alzheimer's unit, Health Care Center, and Assisted Care unit have all contributed and are part of this process. Residents from different sections collaborated to create an award-winning dress. The project started out with sheets of paper that the Alzheimer's unit had drizzled paint over during one of their art therapy sessions. The Assisted Care Studio Art class designed the paper dress, and independent living residents then added the shoes, boa, and flower. It was a collaborative effort of all levels working together to support each other artistically, and in a fun way.

Other award-winning art includes pieces by Jim Hall and Fred Pestian. Jim created a stained-glass village in which the attention to detail, the colors, and the arrangement are all meticulously done. He started out with a scale drawing and has kept everything in perfect harmony. Fred spends hours in the woodshop manipulating wood into artistic shapes and designs. He sees the design in the raw wood and then carves, whittles, and sands the wood until it takes a new shape, design, and life of its own.

As an added feature to the Studio Art program, retired art instructors and artists who live on our campus are stepping forward to teach other residents. The joy has returned for both the teacher and the student.

Staff have been very supportive and nurturing. The program is adapted to the area participating, but the concepts are the same. The program encourages, motivates, treasures, and values residents, their contributions, and their uniqueness. But, most importantly, we don't keep the treasures that residents create in a file or closet--we promote them, display them, and celebrate them.

Debra Stewart is Director of Activities at St. Leonard. For more information, phone [phone] or visit www.stleonard.net. To send your comments to the author and editors, e-mail [e-mail].