With a stroke of her brush, Recreation Club President Reem Shaban painted a tulip during a virtual event last month that included a host of SJC Brooklyn students, alumni, faculty — and even some local community members. 
Shaban, a junior therapeutic recreation major and psychology minor, loves to paint and was excited to share her hobby with her community during the Recreation Club event.
“We received many good responses and found that everyone who participated really was able to de-stress and forget about the problems in their life,” Shaban said. “We thought to branch out our paint night from not only students and alumni, but also to senior care centers, and the community as a way of sharing this joyful feeling of creating your own art. We wanted them to feel the same type of joyful feeling and being proud of one’s self for creating something of their own, on their own. “
Karma Dolma, a Class of 2020 therapeutic recreation graduate and a former Recreation Club president, joined the paint night with a group of residents she works with at Queens Boulevard Nursing Home. Crystal Morgan ’18, another therapeutic recreation alumna, joined with seven participants from Welllife Network residence for individuals with developmental disabilities.
“All the recreation club members and St. Joseph’s students present really enjoyed getting to connect with one another and members of the outside community,” said Recreation Club Vice President Julia Lavelle. “We know that unity is diversity, and everyone who attended could socialize, support each other’s efforts in creating art, and simply have fun.
“When everyone shared their art, they were accompanied by lots of smiles, praises, admiration, and laughter,” she continued. “It was an incredibly proud moment for those who tried canvas painting for the first time.”
Check out some photos from the virtual paint night event:
