WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

When creative older adults get together, there’s no holding them back from expressing their passions. That has been the experience of what began over ten years ago as the “adult coloring” group at the Shepherd’s Center. As Fay Bustos, the Vital Living Program assistant explained, “This year the group changed its name to ‘Artistic Expressions’  because they started doing so much more than coloring.”

The group meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-4 p.m. on the upper level of the Shepherd’s Center. It is a free-wheeling drop-in group that doesn’t cost anything to participate, just bring your artistic project and join in. Some people still color, and there are numerous coloring books, crayons and markers available to use. Others work on drawing, painting, wood working, cross-stitching, knitting, and other creative art projects. 

Fay said even the pandemic couldn’t keep this group from its creative pursuits! When the Shepherd’s Center closed to members and visitors, the Artistic Expressions group met in parking lots, staying in their cars and rolling down their windows, continuing to work on their crafts while having conversations with the others. They never missed a beat! As one member said, “This class has been a ray of sunshine through COVID.”

Another member, Ranada, said that she attends because “it’s such a welcoming group.” She suggested that for anyone just getting involved with Shepherd’s Center, Artistic Expressions is the best way to get comfortable and get to know people and all the programs that are offered. 

The day I visited, several of the members were happily working on their projects, chatting and laughing. Linda Covington announced, “This is our therapy group class.” They have 12 to 15 regular attendees with others that drop in as they can.

Amelia Johnson mentioned that she took art classes through the Shepherd’s Center that were held at Sawtooth. She really enjoyed the art classes and hopes that there will be more classes offered in the future.

Jim Zimmer, observing all the pictures and art pieces that the group has created over the years, suggested that they have an art show to feature some of their work. They were all in and it didn’t take long before the group had collected over 100 items to show. Zimmer came up with the name and designed the distinctive logo for the group.

Now it’s official: The inaugural Artistic Expressions Art Show located in the upper level of the Shepherd’s Center will be available for viewing through April 29. The Shepherd’s Center is located at 1700 Ebert Street and you can park in the upper parking lot and enter the doors on that level. The art is displayed in the lobby area, down the hallway, and on the walls of the room where the group meets. You can expect to see watercolor, wood burning, acrylic painting, coloring, crochet and knitting, colored pencil drawings, poetry and much more. Some of the artwork is for sale with part of the proceeds donated to the Shepherd’s Center.

Artistic Expressions welcomes new members. Just drop in any Wednesday between 1:30-4 p.m. and join in the fun! For more information, visit www.shepherdscenter.org.