Colorful scarves bring out the artist in you

Virginia Gardner wasn't so sure about the painting project."This is going to set the art world back," said the 85-year-old former teacher, originally from Champaign.She was one of 10 residents at Our Lady of the Snows' Dammert Geriatric Center on hand for Monday morning's handpainted silk scarf class."Everybody put on a pair of gloves unless you want colored fingers like I have," said Cathy Crutcher, activity director.She and Sarah Borgstede, who's working on her masters in art therapy and counseling at SIUE, showed them what to do with a long piece of white silk."There's no wrong or right way," said Sarah, helping a woman ease stubborn gloves over arthritic knuckles.

The artists dipped sponge brushes into bowls of dye, then dotted, dabbed and swirled a design. Some worked fast, soaking scarves with color. Others were tentative."What color do you like, Lois?" said Sarah. "We have every color you can imagine. If you use two colors, they blend together and that's a good thing."Just take a brush and tap all over."It was no surprise that a woman in purple Crocs requested lavender."Making silk scarves is a process that guarantees a lot of success," said Sarah. "They have something that looks professional and is doable."Sarah, 31, of Belleville, looks like the artist she is. That day, the tall, dark-haired teacher wore a red apron over her graphic print dress, black leggings and a purple necklace made from T-shirt rounds -- maybe another day's project.

Michel Cymes au scalpel.To accumulate hours toward her master's in counseling, she's been working with groups and individuals."My favorite thing is hearing people's stories," said Sarah. "Art gives you something to do. It's also a social experience for people and I enjoy doing it.""I didn't think I could make anything, but I did," said Lois Paul, holding up a birds-egg blue and yellow scarf."It was easier than I thought," said Virginia. "I was pleasantly surprised.""That's my other favorite thing," said Sarah. "As people age, they lose their feeling of self-efficacy. (They realize) I can do this. it's a neat feeling if they haven't felt that way in a while."