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Ann Bailey, who was born and raised in Fishtown, colors in a sketch of a beach scene with a lighthouse in the background. She’s doing so with her new set of watercolor pencils on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in November at St. Anne’s Senior Community Center (2607 E Cumberland Street).

“I have had the desire to paint [and create art] for a long time… It gives me a chance to relax,” Bailey said.

The added relaxation during Bailey’s week would be impossible without Michael Secor, who gives back to community by volunteering at St. Anne’s every Tuesday afternoon and teaching “The Color Wheel,” a painting class, for the past year.

“I got paid in an ice cream sandwich today,” Secor joked as he watched about a dozen senior citizens work on their projects.

The class covers preliminary subjects, like the color wheel to see “how mixing changes colors or makes colors,” followed by basic projects, like painting squares. Eventually, participants of the class partake in “free paint” by working on whatever they like.

Color is the main focus of Secor’s art when he is making it as well as teaching it.

“I paint images of places that have an intriguing space… Some [of my] paintings are done following a sketch of a scene and others are done completely from memory and invention. The painting then becomes about color relationships and how to use them in order to create a similar spatial feeling,” Secor wrote on Metropolitan Bakery’s blog in January 2015, where he works throughout the week.

The landscapes Secor paints have changed throughout his life, as he is originally from Kentucky. He also spent time in Dijon, France; Denver, Colorado and at Louisiana State University where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts before moving to Fishtown about two years ago, Secor writes on the blog.

“I’m a painter. I can’t get away from it,” Secor said when asked how art has been a part of his life so far.

Secor’s expertise allows him to teach advanced seniors different techniques like using watercolor paint and pencils, acrylics and soft and hard pastels.

“It’s amazing how he’s so diversified in teaching art,” Bailey said.

Barbara Morehead, a 78-year old Fishtown resident and stainglass artist, is Michael’s neighbor and student, as well as the one who introduced his work to Karen Rouse, director of St. Anne’s, after she noticed the paintings he left outside down the street from her home. This connection led to the start-up of Michael’s class.

“I brought [the paintings] over here and showed them to Karen. She didn’t believe me, that I was stealing paintings from someone who left them outside,” Morehead said. “I steal [Michael’s paintings] any chance I can get.”

Karen Rouse was impressed with his work and saw his talent as a potential to start a class that correlates with the history of Fishtown. Since then, she said he has been a “blessing.”

“I was immediately struck by the use of color, form and content of the paintings. I loved how [Michael] painted on boards or other [re]claimed materials, not traditional artist canvas. I loved the street … the tree and church scene …all in the neighborhood,” Rouse said.  “[It] was a goal of mine to bring programs like this here… [Creating art] is part of the culture embedded in Fishtown… so much has been produced here.”

She also admired the youthful energy 31-year-old Michael brings to the senior center.

“[Art] is a trans-generational thing,” she said. “Michael being here is an example of that. It is a way to connect and communicate.”

St. Anne’s Senior Community Center offers several physically engaging programs like EnhanceFitness, Walk With Ease, Chair Yoga and Tai Chi classes. Despite the positive impact senior citizens experience by remaining physically active, some, like Fishtown resident Connie Flaville, find mentally engaging activities more valuable.

“Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you know everything. Everyday you can learn,” Flaville said. “[It’s] important because it engages the mind.”

As the class ended, Michael and seniors began collecting the scrap paper, paints, and the Chobani yogurt cups used as makeshift cups for washing off brushes. The community aspect was apparent as residents wished Michael a good week and made agreements to grab lunch with each other the next day.

“See you Michael!” Barbara Morehead yelled as she left. “If you see anything missing from the front of your house, I did it.”