Pattie Fitzpatrick has been creating art for as long as she can remember. As a resident at Good Samaritan Society – Sioux Falls Village, she appreciates how it fills her days with purpose.
“Art to me is an outlet. I’m learning new stuff. It gives me a method to leave a legacy for my family and give something back to them,” says Pattie.
When she’s in art class or working on projects in her room, she gets a feeling of excitement. She also credits art with giving her identity at this stage of her life.
“I don’t know where I’d be without art, because in the five years here, I had some pretty dramatic things going on, primarily my mom passing away. Through art, I have found that I have value and something to contribute yet. I’ve also met a lot of interesting people and made some really good friends,” she says.
A close-knit, supportive family
Pattie and her mom were very close. Her mom was her caregiver and the two did a lot of arts and crafts together. They would also care for younger family members and do craft projects with them.
“We did a lot of babysitting for the family, and I loved kids and that led to doing some craft things,” says Pattie.
Pattie was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 3 years old which led to her having limited mobility.
“Over the years my parents and my whole family have been very supportive, doing what they can to make my life easier and fuller. Crafting was always a big part of our household,” says Pattie.
Pattie worked for almost 37 years as a medical coder at a Sanford Clinic. After retiring, she continued her crafting tradition with great nieces and nephews.
Eventually, Pattie’s mom needed rehab therapy and went to Sioux Falls Village for an inpatient stay. Pattie joined her a few weeks later for a respite stay.
“Through the course of Mom’s rehab, it was determined that it wasn’t good for us to be independent any longer, so we moved in here and they were very kind and gracious to let us be together in a room. We went through the pandemic together,” says Pattie.
At Sioux Falls Village, Pattie and her mother’s roles reversed. Pattie became more of a caregiver and support person to her mom.
Art helps during the grieving process
After Pattie’s mom died, she wondered what her purpose was. She had always liked giving her family gifts, but with a limited income she couldn’t do that anymore.
“I started doing doodles or illustrations as a way to leave some sort of legacy for my family to remind them of me, my faith and the strength that my parents instilled in us,” Pattie says.
She mainly makes cards for family and friends. Her family is big, so she is often busy making cards. She’s also made several books for the younger generation.
“They each got a book that was specific to them. I did the illustrations and colored them and then I put a story to it, mostly of sayings and quotes. For the cards, I try to match the card to the person and pick something in their life. If they love dogs, I might use that. God puts it on my heart and I try to put it on paper,” says Pattie.
Taking art to the next level
Pattie credits Karen Thorp, activities assistant at Sioux Falls Village, with her reignited passion for art. Karen has worked there for a little over a year.
Karen provides about three art classes a week, and residents love them. With her 30-year background in graphic design, she uses her creativity to give residents a variety of art experiences.
“She gets excited about it and makes us excited about it and she has such an enthusiasm to help us understand the art form that we’re doing, and to enjoy it and learn from it, and have something to show from it. We’ve done just so many things that I have never done before,” says Pattie.
Karen has had residents do charcoal drawing, use pastels, use acrylic ink and do clay work. She also has participants use different items to paint with.
“We’ve just been doing amazing things. She showed us a technique where you put a dot of water on a surface and then a drop of paint on it and it just spreads and there’s a color explosion everywhere,” Pattie says.
“Art is a form of one’s individuality. Whether it’s woodworking, gardening, knitting or sewing, it’s something that makes them feel valuable. It gives them purpose while making the world pretty,” Karen says.
Art provides positive benefits
Pattie and the other participants are excited about the future projects they’ll be working on. Karen gets input from them when deciding what they’ll do next and gives them options while explaining how a particular art project would be good.
“I try to challenge myself as well as the residents and use mediums that most people wouldn't think would be helpful or therapeutic. So as much as we can use our arms, our fingers and our hands, it actually makes them stronger. I try to do things that most people wouldn’t commonly use, like spoons, forks and eyebrow pencils or brushes. We’ve used shells, papers, wires and common household items, like sponges, spray bottles and buttons,” says Karen.
Karen has witnessed art’s positive effect on Pattie and other residents. The classes help uplift them and strengthen their identity.
“I think she’s come out of her shell. She has a lot of creativity in her and inspires me more than she realizes. I have some residents who didn’t like art before, but now they love it thanks to Pattie. She opened up a can of worms,” says Karen.
“We giggle a lot. It helps us when we’re having struggles – personal, emotional, physical. We go to art class and we can lose ourselves in our art. If I’m having a dark day, it may show in my art, but it’s a way to release that. And I go away better. I feel brighter. I go away feeling stronger and more empowered to be myself,” says Pattie.
Art show is a highlight
Pattie’s art has touched so many people that staff members at Sioux Falls Village talked her into submitting a piece to be displayed at the 27th annual Dakota Masterworks art show in Sioux Falls.
“It was a total surprise. Karen and Becky, the activities director, kind of twisted my arm into doing it. And there were a couple of other staff that encouraged me to do it. My family supported it and were very encouraging, so we took off with it,” says Pattie.
The show features art created by people 60 and older who are South Dakota residents. The 2024 show included art from 150 entries.
Pattie won a people’s choice blue ribbon for her drawing titled “Grandma” which features a grandma hugging her granddaughter as they bake in the kitchen.
Pattie had over 20 family members attend the show with her. When her name was announced as a winner, she didn’t hear her name because she was lost in her thoughts about how wonderful it was to be there. Her brother was standing next to her and told her they announced her name.
“I never dreamt it would happen. I was just there for the pure excitement of the experience,” she says.
Pattie doesn’t know if she’ll submit a piece next fall, but she’ll still be attending art classes at Sioux Falls Village and blessing her family and friends with her art.
“Even though I’m here in this place, I am still available for them offering encouragement and strength and all my love and prayers. And I’ve found through art that I do have value and something to contribute yet. I have purpose again. It bolsters my self-worth, my well-being and I sleep better,” says Pattie.
