Art Attack with the Elderly
On a bright afternoon, we visited Sahajya Ashram with paint, chart paper, and a simple idea: to create something together. We invited the residents to dip their hands into trays of color and leave their prints behind. What began as a lighthearted activity soon turned into a celebration of stories, laughter, and shared creativity. Each handprint wasn’t just a mark — it was a moment, imprinted with joy and connection.
We rolled out the chart paper and set up trays of vibrant paint. One by one, the residents stepped forward — some curious, others amused — and gently pressed their hands down. With each print, the room grew warmer. A few laughed as they recalled school days filled with messy fingers and chalk dust; others simply smiled, watching their colors join the growing patchwork. The simplicity of the activity allowed something deeper to emerge — comfort, confidence, and quiet excitement. In those shared moments, generations met through art. What we created wasn’t just a visual display, but a shared emotional experience.
The final sheet, now proudly hung on the wall, is more than a colourful collection of fingerprints — it’s a reflection of individuality and collective joy. Each mark carries the presence of a person who participated not just with their hands, but with their heart. The conversations, the laughter, the easy silences — they’ve all become part of that painted page. Though small in scale, the activity reminded us how meaningful the simplest expressions can be. At Sahajya Ashram, we didn’t just paint — we connected. And long after the colours fade, the memory of that togetherness will remain vivid.