Published: June 19, 2008 02:20 pm         

Assisted living facility urges artistic expression from residents

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Volunteers and leaders are helping groom a new crop of artists in Gardendale.

“Paint and Chat” is the newest program aimed at senior citizens.

Twelve Covenant Woods residents took part in the first session of Paint and Chat on Monday. Covenant Woods is a secure assisted-living facility for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.

The class was held at the neighboring Covenant Place.

“We all know that seniors still have abilities,” said Margaret Alexander, director of services at Covenant Woods. “We’re trying to keep their minds active and focus on their abilities instead of their disabilities.”

During Monday’s class, residents were painting American flags. Alexander said the paintings will be put on display at Covenant Woods as an art show for an upcoming Independence Day celebration.

A couple of the residents have prior painting experience, including Bobbie Alexander and Julia Gibbs.

Alexander, who is not related to Margaret Alexander, has some of her own oil paintings hanging in her room at Covenant Woods.

Gibbs said she enjoys painting because “it’s just nerve-settling.”

Helping with Monday’s Paint and Chat session were three members of the Birmingham chapter of the Alabama Guild of Decorative Artists (AGODA): Pat Stubbs, Sharon Wade and Deborah Goodwin.

They’re all so good,” said Stubbs. “They’re doing wonderful. I can’t wait until they do this again.”

Stubbs said that the 100-member AGODA chapter often does similar volunteer work in the community.

Linda Waddell, chairman of the Covenant Woods Sponsors Council, was also helping during the painting session. Her mother, Hazel McClure, was one of the residents in Monday’s class.

“She loves any kind of crafts,” said Waddell, adding that most of the residents like to try different things.

Also helping during the session was Teresa Parker, an LPN at Covenant Woods, and Wade’s grandchildren Bellamy and Christopher Watson.

Alexander said that an anonymous donor provided the funds for the Paint and Chat program.