It is a beautiful day in Vancouver, Washington. Sun washes the community room at Columbia Heights in warm golds. Through the windows, every shade of green fills the frame. Beyond their reach, an inviting blue beckon attends an art therapy class for all ages.

Iryna, the class instructor, is readying the space. At each seat, she places paint brushes, a canvas, palettes, cups of water, and easels. Today, the attendees will paint a pond with swans and a beautiful tree and mountain range as a backdrop.

Before the class begins, we meet with Iryna to discuss the class and what moves her to do this work.

Iryna’s love for painting begins in Ukraine

“Before the war began in Ukraine, I worked as an art teacher in a private school.” From an early age, Iryna was obsessed with anything artistic. She loved painting, crafts, handmade, clay, making her own home decor, and puppet shows. “If it had something to do with the arts, I was drawn to it.”

Iryna’s love of the arts began at home. Her father was also an artist. “From an early age, he had me involved in the arts. “Watching my dad, I fell deeply in love with the arts.”

Fleeing Ukraine, Iryna settled in Washington state. As she worked to make Vancouver, WA her new home, she quickly decided to share her gift. “When you have something good, it is best to share it with the world. I want to inspire good. When you can see the results of this work or when you see the eyes of kids who learn something new, that is inspiring to me.”

As the room fills with kids and the young at heart, Iryna begins giving instructions to those assembled. With a level of patience that would make Bob Ross smile, she directs each stroke but gives her students enough room to stretch their creativity.

“Art can be freeing. Art can be therapy,” says Iryna. Most of the students and residents assembled here today are Ukrainian. Watching them create, it becomes apparent that art creates community and invites residents to escape their homes to share with other people.

“I truly believe art is helping these kids and residents overcome the challenges of escaping a war zone and immigrating to a new country. I can see the stress people are holding before the class begins.” Holding this stress, they select dark colors. Kids often sketch families in close proximity. “But after a year of doing this, I am seeing brighter colors on the palette and happier images on the canvas.”

“Kids are worth the investment. No kid deserves the trauma of war. And I believe every kid remembers an adult who invested in them. I do.” There is hope they will pay that investment forward. “I want to take care of people who take care of people.”