Art of recovery Kaleidoscope II steppingstone for those in recovery
Amy Panfil, resident artist/manager of Kaleidoscope II on East Walnut Street in Washington, is reflected in the mirror as she arranges jewelry on display in the store.
Bridgette Shaw holds one of her favorite photographs that was on display at Kaleidoscope II in Washington. Shaw was the shop’s featured artist in May.
Earrings inside this glass case are attached to an inspirational card.
A variety of old, new and repurposed items, along with books, are among the vast inventory at Kaleidoscope II, 7 E. Walnut St., in Washington.
Inspirational items can be found throughout Kaleidoscope II.
Amy Panfil, resident artist/manager of Kaleidoscope II in Washington, stands in the middle of the colorful store.
Amy Panfil isn’t exaggerating when she called Kaleidoscope II “a store of inspiration.”
Those who venture through its recently opened doors at 7 E. Walnut St., Washington, often leave not only feeling better about themselves, but also about life in general, thanks to a colorful atmosphere with an array of merchandise that promotes self-esteem and encouragement.
“We’ve had so many people who have said that,” said Cheryl Hopper, who, along with Panfil, were responsible for filling the store with inventory designed to keep addicts and alcoholics on a positive path to recovery.
The building is owned by Pat Lutz, who, as executive director of Turning Point of Washington Inc., has established a thriving recovery community for women in the northern end of downtown Washington. Kaleidoscope II is diagonally situated across from Turning Point’s residential halfway house, and not far from its three-quarters houses, plus Julie’s House, a residential facility for women in recovery with infants. During its 25 years, Turning Point has served more than 1,000 women at its residential treatment facility.
“It’s been a dream of hers to open a recovery store to help provide a 12-step program,” said Hopper, one of Lutz’s longtime friends. “It gives the girls a place to start off in the community.”
And who better to serve as its resident artist/store manager than Panfil?
The 44-year-old Finleyville native is a recovering addict and a former therapist at Turning Point. She has a degree in fine arts and art education, and was a schoolteacher for many years.
“When I got clean and sober, it opened up a whole new world,” said Panfil, who said the six-month abstinent living program at Turning Point changed her life forever.
Art in recovery, she said, is an especially good coping skill.
“I feel that everybody has an inner artist,” Panfil said. “Art is therapeutic. It’s a meditative process. You can explore, let go and build on your imagination.”
“When you have a thought about using or taking a drink, you can reach for something else. Art is a process. I focus more on the process.”
Hopper said she had a revelation while visiting the store recently with her granddaughter when one of the teenager’s co-workers walked in. The co-worker, Hopper said, hesitated to acknowledge her granddaughter, fearing that, as a recovering addict, it could jeopardize her job.
“I don’t think they have a way to interface with the community,” Hopper said. “When I was setting up the store, I took girls up there, and to see how they feel ostracized … I feed good about this store. It’s turned out so well.”
Hopper, who retired after closing her consignment business, Kaleidoscope, in Washington, said part of the problem, especially with addicts, is they get so frustrated when people don’t want to be around them that they return to the same crowd and relapse.
“By interfacing with the mainstream, they can feel better about themselves,” Hopper said.
The shop is dedicated in memory of Annie Gumberg, who volunteered for many years at Turning Point, and celebrates her humor and sense of style. Gumberg died Sept. 30, and some of the jewelry featured in the store is part of her collection. Proceeds from the sale of her jewelry will benefit the Annie Gumberg Scholarship Fund to empower women in recovery as they transition into society.
Other pieces of jewelry were made by Hopper, who went to art school before she attended college. She wanted to paint, she said, but it was too difficult because her seven children “always had their hands in the paint.” She also dabbled in pen-and-ink drawings, but that was too intense, she said. So, she turned to jewelry-making.
Panfil and Hopper have attracted several other local artists, who, in addition to jewelry, are selling paintings, photography, pottery and more. There also are plenty of 12-step recovery supplies, including self-help books, greeting cards and journals, plus decorative signs with inspirational messages, such as “Not All Who Wander are Lost ” and “The Journey is the Desitination.” Candles labeled harmony, protection and wisdom and hand-crafted incense is available, too.
In addition to new merchandise, Kaleidoscope II carries repurposed items, or what Panfil likes to call “recycled treasures,” and each month, the store will feature a new artist. “There are a lot of talented people,” Panfil said. “It’s a place to show their stuff. They are usually in recovery themselves.”
May’s featured artist was Bridgette Shaw, a 27-year-old photographer from Beaver County. Shaw, who doodles, paints, studies healing gems and works at a local bakery, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She recently placed first in the AMI Art Show at the Inner Artist in downtown Washington.
“The recovery community in Washington is like a family. We help one another,” said Panfil, moments after telling one of her customers – a former resident at Turning Point – that “I had you in mind with the Gypsy Rose collection.”
On Wednesday evening, beginning this week, Panfil will teach classes in a variety of mediums, including jewel-making, painting, beading origami and mosaics.
“We’re taking a chance,” Panfil said. “I hope it works. I’ve got faith.”
Kaleidoscope II, 7 E. Walnut St., Washington, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. All items are moderately priced. For more information, call 724-470-9136.