Not everyone walking into the New Bedford Art Museum Creative Care program considers themselves an artist. But that hardly matters once the paint starts moving.
About twice a month, a brightly lit museum room fills with people gathered around canvases, brushes and conversation for a guided painting lesson. Participants follow a shared design while adding creative touches of their own. By the end of the two-hour session, nearly everyone is surprised and delighted by what they’ve made.
Creative Care is the museum’s free program for New Bedford area residents ages 60 and older, focused as much on connection as finished paintings. Beginners learn under the guidance of instructor Devin McLaughlin, while more experienced artists put their own spin on each session’s design.
“It’s not like a typical college class where everybody’s expected to be quiet and pay attention to the instructor. There’s a lot of…loose conversation and a step-by-step process (based on) when people are ready,” said program manager Ashliana Felix. “If they’re having fun talking, that’s something our instructor will work with.”
Everyone starts with the same design, but participants might change colors, alter the scene or add elements of their own. Felix sees the creative process as something that extends well beyond the canvas.
“Making art is a type of problem solving,” she said. “If you get really good at figuring out how to dissect big problems within a painting, you realize it seeps into your psyche every day. Big problems that seem overwhelming become easier to overcome by breaking them down step-by-step.”
The program currently draws about seven participants per session, with room for more. Everything is provided and repeat attendees are welcome.
“They just bring themselves,” said Felix. “The canvases, the brushes, the paint, the friends, all of that is offered here.”
McLaughlin’s unconventional style and energetic personality have made him a favorite. “Every time somebody calls to reserve, they’re like, ‘I just love Devin,’” Felix said. “He really is very popular amongst our patrons.”
For those unable to visit the museum, Creative Care offers an art kit component delivered directly to participants. Each kit is designed to be completed in a single session. A recent one featured a color-by-number activity based on a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe, printed on quality paper with colored pencils and an instruction sheet included.
Felix assembles each kit with care, drawing on her background in fine arts. “Then we use the art mobile to deliver them to people’s residences,” she said.
She’s also open to adapting kits for individuals with specific needs.
“If they really struggle with fine motor skills or their sight, I…have a background working with individuals with special needs, so I’m able to adapt these lessons for them,” she said.
For example, for one participant with fine motor difficulties, she swapped standard pencils for thicker, three-sided crayons that allowed for a full-hand grip rather than a tight pinch.
To participate in either program, contact Felix at 508-961-3072 or afelix@newbedfordart.org. Kits are available to residents of New Bedford and any connecting town. Museum classes run Mondays from 4–6 p.m. on June 1, 15 and 29; July 13 and 27; and August 10 and 24.
Felix requests that sign-ups are made at least 24 hours in advance to give staff time to collect materials.
For more information about visiting the museum, go to the museum’s website at newbedfordart.org.
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