(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
In the heart of Petersburg, a creative renaissance is happening inside the walls of the local long-term care facility. One resident, Ron Hall, has uncovered a latent talent for drawing and painting — and has decided to share it with his community.
A cyclone of color
Stepping into Ron Hall’s room at the Petersburg Long Term Care Center, I feel a little like Dorothy walking into Oz’s color for the first time – from the beige hallway to a room covered top to bottom with vibrant colors, construction paper, and canvases. I am surrounded with fantastical interpretations of our world.
The scene made a similar first impression on Reverend Deborah Gelerter, Hall’s friend and art mentor.
“I walked into this room and it was filled floor to ceiling on every wall with these incredible drawings on paper,” Gelerter said. “We just started having conversations… And then we moved towards: ‘Have you ever thought about doing some paintings?’ And since then, it’s been an explosion of creativity.”
“Explosion” is an apt word.
(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
I met the wizard
“That’s mountains,” said Hall. “That’s part of a volcano, exploding.”
Ron Hall’s artistic journey only began a year and a half ago. He started with sketches of natural scenes. The cabinet under the TV is filled with binders of them. But about six months ago, he moved on to acrylic paintings. They are impressionistic, incorporating ruby reds, emerald greens, and yellow brick road… yellows. He takes me on a tour of his studio.
“And then there’s just all kinds of wildlife, like moose, and bears, and a lot of wolves. And the flowers.”
I ask him how long he spends each day painting.
“Several hours a day. And then besides that, I’m always thinking [about] what I would draw, what I would pattern.”
Hall used to work in the Forest Service as an aerial photographer. He said that the landscapes and creatures he encountered everyday — from a plane, not a balloon — have in some ways inspired his work. And his other muse?
“Mostly the people,” Hall said. “The people and the kids — the kids really get my attention.”
Hall said that one of his artistic goals is to show children — and those young at heart — the value of creative expression. He has even created coloring books for his fellow residents, and the students at Kinder Skog, a local childcare program.
“Adults, they don’t really express themselves through drawings,” Hall said. “The kids are easier to get involved. And it’s amazing how creative the kids are in drawing. I find the kids are very expressive.”
“Colors speak to me”
In order to inspire more in the community, Hall decided to host an art show at the local Clausen Memorial Museum. Called “Colors Speak to Me,” the gallery includes 30 pieces. Subject matter ranges from animals, to bouquets, to landscapes — and even a self-portrait. As we walked through the exhibit, Gelerter noted Hall’s growth since he first picked up a paintbrush.
(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
“It’s like watching a non-art major painting class going from zero to finished work in less than six months,” Gelerter said. “It’s really remarkable. He hasn’t been afraid of the materials and he’s gotten better control over his artwork, and that gives a sense of autonomy, freedom, and creativity. I just have seen so seldom this kind of journey.”
A reception was held at the museum on July 19 to honor Hall’s work before the gallery officially opened. I chatted with a few attendees. William Moulton is a former coworker and longtime friend of Hall’s, and had never seen his art before — in fact, he hadn’t even known Hall was artistic until recently.
“I had no clue,” Moulton said. “When I was still working, and he was working, I never heard him mention it. My favorite piece is this one – it could be a flower, but maybe it could be something else. It’s called ‘Leopard.'”
Stephanie Hayes came through with her aunt, Erin Hayes, who is visiting from Seattle.
“You don’t see a lot of art here with bright colors,” Stephanie Hayes said. “It takes a lot of creativity and optimism. And I think that showed in the art. So, that was really neat — to see something so enthusiastic and happy.”
Both Hayes’ favored Hall’s piece was: “Underwater Bouquet.”
(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
No place like home
While Hall’s art will be on display in the museum until July 31, those unable to attend the show still have the opportunity to celebrate his work — back at the care center. After all, for Ron and his art, there’s no place like home. Activities aide Felicity Englund explained:
“Every day there’s new work being created, and so his room has become a bit of a destination to the other residents and for staff people,” Englund said. “You know there’s going to be something new since the last time you were there, even if it was only an hour ago.”
Speaking to the people who have come out to appreciate Hall’s work, a few things are clear. Ron Hall’s art reflects the lessons he aims to share with his audience: the limitless scope of imagination, the bravery to share one’s talents, and the power of nurturing and caring for others. Each brushstroke invites us not only into a world of vibrant color but also into a realm where compassion, creativity, and courage converge.
