South Kitsap Artists put on a demonstration at the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard Jan. 25, and were surprised to find out many of the vets also are artists.
“So many residents are actually painters, too,” said Kelly Hughes, SKA media director. “We’ve had some of the residents go to their rooms and come back with art pieces they’ve created, which was amazing to see.”
Hughes said the group likes to go out into the community in a non-threatening way. “We are half art and half social. We’ve discovered that it’s about connecting with the community—showing people what we are doing without selling anything.”
J. Louis King, president of SKA, said: “Our mission is not just about creating art, but about making connections. By bringing artists into places like the veterans home, we show the residents that they’re part of the community, and that their stories and creativity matter just as much as anyone else’s.”
The Winter Warm-Up event aimed to engage residents, their families and staff with a hands-on celebration of the arts with demonstrations in portrait painting, wood carving, oil painting and origami.
The veterans appreciated the event.
Leroy Schumacher said: “They are so talented, and it’s nice to see people take the time to share their work with us. One artist drew something for me, and it’s up in my room now.”
Carol Buckholtz added: “I don’t paint, but everything was really nice. It was wonderful to see the paintings and the artists.”
The artists also had fun talking about their craft.
Jack Gallagher reflected on how a Christmas gift from his daughter prompted him to revisit his artistic roots. “One of the questions that came up in writing this book was, ‘When did you become an artist?’” Gallagher recalled. “I’ve always doodled, but my first serious piece was in kindergarten when I painted a sun on a large canvas. That image has stayed with me ever since.”
Paul and Elizabeth Brogi shared their commitment to being artists. “We paint every day,” Paul Brogi said.
Elizabeth Brogi, originally from Italy, shared her background as an artist. “I’ve been painting for so long in Florence,” she said, adding she moved to America four years ago after getting married.
Christy Hellacott-Thompson, vice president of SKA, described the experience as rewarding. “This is our first time here,” she said. “The veterans have been very interested and nice.”