From the Rev. Kay Flores of St. Timothy, Chehalis:
St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Chehalis, Washington had such fun painting with residents of Chehalis West Assisted Living Facility during May!
Ben Galagan, who lives in Cody, Wyoming, is an artist and a camp counselor friend of the church’s rector, Kay Flores. Kay, who is NOT an artist, enjoyed painting with Ben in an online class a while ago. Kay convinced Ben to teach the class via Zoom. With the help of the staff at our favorite local book and art store, Book n Brush, church members delivered water color paints and paper to Chehalis West.
Denise Mecartea, administrator of Chehalis West Assisted Living, assisted by James, a maintenance worker at Chehalis West, connected Zoom to a television in a common room. Four residents, observing careful social distancing, gathered in the room with water colors and paper provided by St. Timothy.
Senior Warden Jerri Lejeune and Kay’s granddaughter Johanna Flores signed into Zoom from their own locations. Kay, who is still not an artist but now loves painting, signed in from home.
Ben is a natural teacher. He is patient and kind, and with his coaching, each ended up with a mountain scene that made each other smile.
Ms. Mecartea reports: “This is a great avenue! We are so thankful for you and these lessons. It is bringing lots of smiles!”
You can see examples of the work and the smiles in the pictures, used with permission from Chehalis West.
Ben is the son of the Rev. Chris and Mike Galagan of Christ Church, Cody, Wyoming, and the grandson of Bill and Doris Lucas of St. Christopher’s, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
