Watercolor Portrait Workshop

On Saturday, Dec. 7th, a group of students from Crafty Space, along with Ms. Miller, the faculty advisor of MISH, visited Andrus on Hudson(AOH). Prepared with watercolor supplies, the students set up a workshop space in the town hall area. Drew, our contact at Andrus, brought down several seniors who were interested in participating. Some arrived with enthusiasm and excitement, while others were more reserved and nervous. The students greeted the seniors, helping them settle into various stations while taking the time to introduce themselves.

Each student worked with 2–3 seniors, introducing basic watercolor techniques and ensuring the station setups were as comfortable as possible. As the session began, the students engaged the seniors in conversation, learning about their lives and encouraging them to try drawing on paper. Gradually, the seniors began experimenting with patterns and enjoying the fluidity of watercolor. Meanwhile, the students created portraits of the seniors, adding a personal touch to the workshop.

For some seniors, working with watercolors brought joy and a sense of accomplishment. Others felt less satisfied with their creations, but nonetheless the students provided encouragement, fresh ideas, and positive feedback, helping to foster a supportive and uplifting atmosphere. The focus wasn’t on producing perfect artwork but on building meaningful connections and bringing warmth and companionship to the seniors at Andrus on Hudson.

"Seeing the happiness on the face of the residents filled me with so much joy. It was well worth it, and they got to take back a painting of themselves back to their rooms!"

- Gifty Baah

As the workshop concluded, the students shared the portraits they had created, inviting the seniors to spell their names so they could be added to the artwork. The seniors expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for the workshop, providing the foundation of a relationship that can be continued after the Winter Break. This experience has inspired us to continue building connections with the residents, aiming to make this a recurring project that brings joy and companionship to the Andrus on Hudson community.