‘Not your kids’ coloring book’

Adult Coloring Club takes off at library

Sandra Jackson chuckled as she put colored pencil to paper last week, “It’s definitely different than coloring with my grandchildren.”

Jackson and a handful of others took a brief junket from their busy lives to try a new Adult Coloring Club at the Clear Lake Public Library, “Just Add Color.”  An hour has been set aside (1-2 p.m.) on the first Thursday of each month to provide an opportunity for adults to give coloring a try.

Experts says coloring books are no longer just for the kids. In fact, adult coloring books are all the rage right now. And while researchers and art therapists alike have touted the calming benefits for over a decade,  the once-niche hobby has now grown into a full-on trend.

“Adult coloring has become a craze especially in public libraries,” explained Denise Roberts, assistant director at the library. “It is relaxing and has therapeutic benefits, but we’re also finding it can be a fun, light hearted way for patrons to socialize. It is a chance for those of us who are not artists to express our creativity -- there are no rules or required skills.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, coloring does offer a slew of mental benefits.

“Coloring definitely has therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety, create focus or bring [about] more mindfulness,” says Marygrace Berberian, a certified art therapist and the Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Graduate Art Therapy Program at NYU.  Research has shown anxiety levels dropped when subjects colored mandalas, which are round frames with geometric patterns inside. Simply doodling, though, had no effect in reducing the other subjects’ stress levels.

Like meditation, coloring also allows a person to switch off their brains from other thoughts and focus only on the moment, helping to alleviate free-floating anxiety.

Dianne Woodard was giving coloring a try at the library’s first session.  She said she found the program to be as much social as anything.  And with coffee, cookies and conversation flowing in the room she was getting into the flow.  “It seems like a good winter activity, for sure, and it’s something that I can drop in and out of, but I also think it’s relaxing.”

Chelcie Beauchaine, a staff member from Opportunity Village, attended the program with Lori Harriman.  Beauchaine said the Village offers coloring as an activity, often at bedtime, and she believes it is beneficial in relaxing the mind

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember]

[wlm_ismember]

and body.

“Another attractive aspect as a library program is that it (coloring) doesn’t require patrons to invest time ahead such as reading a book for a book discussion,” added Roberts.  “We provide a variety of coloring pages to appeal to diverse interests, but attendees also have the freedom to bring their own coloring supplies or start/stop a project at whim. Finally, they are free to drop in at the last minute or even show up late and/or leave early...hopefully calm and relaxed.”

Want to fill in some pages?  Drop in at the library at 1 p.m. April 7 and May 5 and get scribbling.

“No special skills required— we won’t even mind if you go outside the lines,” said Roberts.

[/wlm_ismember]