Wintergreen Arts creates relationships with paint
PRESQUE ISLE — The Wintergreen Arts Center brought the “Sip and Paint” craze to Aroostook County in February 2015. At first, it was a fun fundraising event, but the trend has grown into the community.
Contributed photo
ART PLUS PIZZA EQUALS FUN — Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Presque Isle join other area youth at the Wintergreen Arts Center’s Pizza ‘n Paint event for a night of retro art on June 24, where the group created works of art on vinyl records.
Just over a year later, Wintergreen received a call from Vicki Jackson, activities specialist at the Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill, a 72-bed facility owned by The Aroostook Medical Center, which provides long-term care and rehabilitation services. She heard about the guided-painting events and thought it would be a great activity to offer her residents, right in their own facility. Wintergreen took Sip and Paint on the road.
On April 13, three Wintergreen board members, the executive director and head teacher had an experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime. Twenty-four artists joined them in the Aroostook Health Center’s dining room and picked up their brushes. From the ages of 9 to 92, residents and family members, staff and the community came together for an evening of camaraderie and creativity.
“What an excellent way to spend an evening with some of my favorite Wintergreen Arts Center people and the residents, family members and staff of the Aroostook Health Center,” said Kim Guerrette Michaud, WAC board co-chair. “My heart is full.”
Her sentiments were echoed by the entire team, said WAC Executive Director Dottie Hutchins. “Seeing residents in wheelchairs straighten up in their seats and paint side-by-side with their loved ones, neighbors and caregivers opened everyone’s hearts. Their paintbrushes even allowed some, who may not verbalize their thoughts out loud anymore, to communicate with paint — in a complete and meaningful way.”
Jackson enjoys introducing new, fun and fulfilling experiences to brighten residents’ daily lives. “The residents and staff are still asking, ‘When can we paint again?’,” she said. “I would like to express my sincere thank you to Wintergreen for bringing Sip and Paint to our residents. It was a special night for them and we will always be grateful.”
Energized by their experience at the Aroostook Health Center, Hutchins said, the Wintergreen team set a goal to create more significant relationships with other age groups — teens and tweens. Historically the center’s programming and signature events draw participants of all ages, but its core group of enthusiasts are children from the ages of toddlers through elementary school students. Drawing teens and tweens to the center on a regular basis meant attracting them with age-appropriate themes.
So, the crew gave their guided-painting event a twist and “Pizza ‘n Paint for Teens and Tweens” was born. The first Pizza ‘n Paint was held on May 27, attracting 21 young artists, including eight from the Boys and Girls Club of Presque Isle. Wintergreen artist/instructor Caitlin Sanipass encouraged her aspiring artists to express themselves with a birch tree scene on canvas.
“Pizza n’ Paint was a success for the Boys and Girls Club of Presque Isle, along with other youth from the community,” said Fenton Jones, program director of the local club. “Thank you, Wintergreen Arts Center, for sharing this fun and learning-filled event with us.”
“With the help of a lead sponsorship from State Farm agent John Harvell, and a sponsorship from Katahdin Trust Company, Wintergreen was able to cut the cost to area youths,” Hutchins said, and on June 24, the venue sold out for WAC teacher Corey’s retro art session of painting on vinyl records.
“With the encouragement of Wintergreen event planner Amy Joy Berube, others came forward to support the evening of creative activity; drinks were provided by Pepsi; pizza by Circle K; and the young artists enjoyed a special cookie intermission provided by Kelly Mathes of Confectionately Yours. A truly fun, fulfilling night for teens and tweens in Aroostook County,” said Hutchins.
Wintergreen plans to go on the road again with guided painting, this time in partnership with the Presque Isle Housing Authority. The Aroostook Medical Center supports the authority with healthy living activities, and invited Wintergreen to participate.
Two guided-painting events are planned: One for adults in July and another for teens and tweens in August.
“Our entire Wintergreen team embraces this wonderful invitation to encourage creativity and the arts in Aroostook County,” said Hutchins. “We thank both TAMC and the Presque Isle Housing Authority for this inspiring opportunity.”
For more information on these events, visit Wintergreen’s Facebook page.
