“I had no idea my husband could draw anything beyond a stick figure. Michael was a nuclear chemist, and art was the furthest thing from his mind. Everything he did was always intellectual; it was never creative,” says Nancy Dukes.
Nancy was beyond amazed when she saw the stunning picture he had painted hanging in the Aiken Center for the Arts (ACA). It was a total surprise to her and clearly depicted the Isle of Palms, where they had owned a home in the past. Michael is a member of Club Thrive, a social senior activity center run by Karen Poteat, LPN and gerontology and dementia specialist. Like Michael, many members have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Karen’s diverse program offers a variety of activities as therapy for the participants. Michael’s painting was created through an ACA program called Joy in the Journey. This unique program connects Aiken residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia with an instructor who works with them one-on-one to create an original painting.
Karen explains that it is not a class, but the entire project is completed in one session. The instructor first engages the participant with some conversation and singing. Next, she assists them in looking through a book of paintings for inspiration. The participant chooses colors and the instructor helps with paint and brush stroke techniques. The instructor may help guide the hands of those who need assistance, but the actual painting is done by the participant.
“Joy in the Journey is the perfect name for this program,” insists Caroline Gwinn, Executive Director of ACA. “The participants experience such joy and feeling of accomplishment when they are painting. Even though later some later don’t remember doing the painting, when doing so, it is a happy time and often jogs a special memory,” she says. Caroline commends instructor Dana Warwick for making the program “about the experience. She’s so perfect in this role; it’s her calling.”
Dick Fent, whose wife is a member of Club Thrive, offers high praise for Joy in the Journey. “Betty liked to paint years ago, but then with dementia had not been able to do so,” he begins. “The program is just fantastic! The instructor was so patient and helped Betty get started. Then she just took to it,” he says. Each of Dick and Betty’s three children received a very special Christmas gift last year — a print of their mother’s lovely painting featuring colorful sunflowers.
The finished works are framed and prominently displayed in the gallery at the ACA. Since 2017, the paintings have been offered for sale, which, along with community contributions and sponsorships, helps to ensure that the program remains free for participants.
It’s hard to say who is more excited about the next Joy in the Journey program slated to begin in January, Karen or her members. “Michael is looking forward to painting again,” Nancy relays, adding, “I’m not giving him any ideas of what to paint. He did such a great job on the first one.”
Karen realizes how much her seniors enjoy this special program and is eager to see what new creations the next session will bring. “Last year I had a collage made of all of the paintings that were created by our members over the years. I surprised everyone with its unveiling at our Christmas Celebration,” she says with a smile. “It hangs in our dining room at Club Thrive and I often see the seniors looking at it and hear them telling each other the story behind their paintings. Most would tell you they chose the painting topic because it spoke to them in a special way or reminded them of a fond memory or place from their past.”
It can be a bit of a struggle for Karen to get some of the seniors to participate in Joy in the Journey. “When I say, ‘Let’s go paint a picture,’ they don’t feel capable of creating anything worthy of being called art. Just like seeing a senior blossom in our program at Club Thrive after initially being resistant to participating, there’s nothing like the feeling you get when they first see their framed painting during the presentation!”
Club Thrive collaborates with ACA to host the participants’ families at an artists’ reception. Because she has found that some of her members do not remember the painting session and others don’t even believe that they painted the painting, Karen takes pictures during the sessions to reassure them. “They are often overwhelmed and even cry with joy when they realize they painted the beautiful artwork they are looking at. It’s also so sweet to witness them cheering for each other as each painting is unveiled. The comradery they feel at Club Thrive is especially evident during occasions like this. They are just as happy for their friends as they are for themselves. It is one of the most inspirational activities we do at Club Thrive and we are so grateful to the ACA and their sponsors for continuing to make Joy in the Journey available.”
The program has been a gift to Karen as well as to the Club Thrive members and other participants. She recounts, “One of the most special things that has come from the Joy in the Journey experience for me personally is that a family member framed her husband’s painting and gave it to me after he died. He was such a beautiful person, and that is reflected in his artwork. His painting now hangs in my office and when I open my door and look at it every morning, it fills me with that same wonderful feeling I had seeing his smile. It is the perfect way to start the day and reminds me that no matter what challenges my day may bring, we are going to help bring joy to seniors who might not otherwise have a reason to smile today.”
“We are so appreciative to the Rotary Club of Aiken for recently naming us a recipient of their service grant,” says Caroline. “Continued community support is critical to this program.” You can help by purchasing one of the original paintings at the Aiken Center for the Arts or by making a donation earmarked for Joy in the Journey. For more information, visit AikenCenterForTheArts.org/joy-in-the-journey.
