Women’s art group fosters healing, community
Fawn Belone starts a new painting on her canvas while at the women’s community art group at the Altoona Area Public Library. Mirror photo by Jayla Nartatez
Heather Davis (left) and Brenda Taylor paint together at the women's community art group at the Altoona Area Public Library. Mirror photo by Jayla Nartatez
Fawn Belone starts a new painting on her canvas while at the women’s community art group at the Altoona Area Public Library. Mirror photo by Jayla Nartatez
Heather Davis (left) and Brenda Taylor paint together at the women's community art group at the Altoona Area Public Library. Mirror photo by Jayla Nartatez
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Between work, family, responsibilities and the countless number of hats that women wear each day, it can feel impossible to find time to relax and socialize with like-minded people in the community. But once a month, a women's local art group gathers, offering women a space for creative expression, connection and to put themselves first.
On the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Altoona Area Public Library, Elaine Baney, instructor, provides a variety of art materials for a group of women to create any type of art they want. Women ages 18 and up can bring a project they are currently working on or begin a new piece of art.
"It's important to build community and I feel that art is a really important piece of community," Baney said. "I feel like it's healing."
Baney has been teaching art for more than 20 years and is currently an art teacher at the Hollidaysburg Junior High School. Recently, she received her masters degree in art therapy and said she is "trying to bring the healing power of art in the community."
Last October, Baney started the program, but put the sessions on pause over the summer and is starting them back up, having had the first session of the season on Sept. 3.
Being an artist her entire life, Fawn Belone attended the program for the first time and brought her portable easel, canvas and painting supplies. She said she has been looking for an event like this in the community and saw an ad on Facebook for this art program.
Belone graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1981 and went on to work for printing companies doing illustrations. Eventually, she started her own advertising company, designing websites for businesses, but recently retired.
Now, Belone is focusing on painting, as she hasn't picked up a paint brush for a long time.
Having experience in art, Baney understands the impact creative expression can have on an individual. She said it's a way to express emotions that can be difficult to articulate.
"I think sometimes we can't say what we want to say and we don't have the words for it. Sometimes if you just make something or make choices subconsciously, you don't realize it gets those feelings and words out," Baney said. "It helps you say things you couldn't say with words."
When Belone was waiting to get hip surgery, she got bronchitis and had to put her surgery on hold, making her feel frustrated. Instead of putting her frustrations elsewhere, Belone put her feelings on a canvas and started painting.
"It really motivated me," Belone said. "I started painting and it was wonderful. It was a great way to get out that anger and frustrations and I've been going from there. I can't wait to paint."
Another woman who attended the art program for the first time arrived with no experience in art and wanted to achieve something for herself -- getting out of the house and socializing.
Brenda Taylor spends a lot of time taking care of her disabled son and her best friend invited her to go with her to the art session.
With the amount of technology in today's world, Taylor said that people don't see each other and talk. Getting out, taking time to relax and interacting with other people is super important for people's mental health, she said.
Taylor's son attempted suicide and has brain damage. She said if he would have been involved in something like this with the community, then it may have helped him psychologically.
"It gives people other people to lean on if they don't have anybody and a reason for getting up in the morning if they don't have anyone," Taylor said.
Even though she doesn't have a background in art, Taylor said that it's nice to be able to get her creative mind active and just do something therapeutic.
Baney created this program to bring women together and take a break from their non-stop, busy lives. She said women have a lot of things on their plate and that it's nice to take some time to have fun and unwind through creativity.
"I truly believe everybody can do something with art. Even if it's scribbling, it doesn't have to be beautiful," Baney said.
Anyone interested in attending the free program sessions can call 814-946-0417 ext. 125 to register.
Mirror Staff Writer Jayla Nartatez is at 814-946-7535