RUSTICO – Laughter and friendly chatter break the winter afternoon silence as Islanders make their way up the ramp at the Rustico Bay Seniors Club on Monday to attend the LEAP (Learning Elders Arts Program) art exhibit and open house.
Inside the clubhouse, about 60 people re filing through the large meeting room, admiring the paintings that their friends, neighbours and family members have created.
Every once in a while, a single voice is heard above the din of the crowd.
“This one has talent. You can see it in the petals. The details are there,” said artist Lysette Sampson, pointing out the large red poppy that Cecilia Doiron has painted.
For the past eight weeks, Doiron has been acquiring new skills and techniques as a participant in the oil painting for seniors class offered in two-and-a-half-hour sessions at the club.
“It was really fun. I learned that I could do more than I thought I could do with paints,” said Doiron, who lives in New Glasgow.
She’s one of 10 Islanders who have been working with instructor Donalda Doucette in this LEAP project.
Jill McDougall, who is a newcomer to the community, enjoyed the experience.
"I not only learned to paint but I met some nice ladies and strengthened the ties with women I met before,” said McDougall, pointing to the winter scene she painted.
With help from the instructor, she has learned about choosing subjects, sketching, painting with oils, mixing colours and how to best capture landscape and still life.
Doucette gives her students high marks.
“They did amazingly wonderfully well, as you can see, from their beautiful paintings.”
At the reception, which included a light lunch, there were speeches by co-ordinator Arthur Buote and local MLA Brad Trivers.
This club is one of 15 clubs and organizations sponsoring LEAP projects this winter. The clubs are funded by the P.E.I. Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, under the direction of Matthew MacKay and administered by the P.E.I. Senior Citizens' Federation.
On March 6 at the Good Neighbourly 50 Plus Club in the Tracadie Community Centre, a large crowd turned out for its LEAP art exhibit and open house.
At this event, community members came to see the work of 12 participants who had taken traditional basket weaving workshops with artist Nora Richard.
“I thought it would be something fun to do," said Verna FitzPatrick. "Besides, it gave me a reason to get out of the house in the winter."
Learning the skill of basket-weaving was also rewarding.
“I loved the classes – especially the laughter and camaraderie,” said the Ten Mile House resident, holding the three baskets she made.
“This is a market basket. This one is for eggs and I’ll bake some biscuits for the this one.”
The classes were also rewarding for the teacher. Richard, who is from Summerside, loves seeing the joy that radiates on her students’ faces whenever a basket is completed.
“They would say, ‘I love it. I love it. I can’t believe I made it.’”
