Tag: older adults

Collaborative project by participants at The Field Library in Peekskill, NY

Art Made By Older Adults Looks Like ART

Creative Aging Participants Create Memorable and Impressive Artwork. Period.

“Mural Memories” at The Field Library in Peekskill, NY

Bringing older adults together with experienced, mature local artists, “Mural Memories” at The Field Library in Peekskill, NY engaged participants in creating a large public mural entitled “Scrambled Flowers” a re-envisioning of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” in celebration of Peekskill’s Dutch background.

This is a photo of Maura O'Malley. Maura has short, red, curly hair, and is wearing a magenta topi. Credit: Jeremy Amar
Maura O’Malley, co-founder and CEO of Lifetime Arts. Credit: Jeremy Amar

Students each painted 12″X12″ canvases when combined, resulted in a 5′ X 7′ permanent mural which was installed on the exterior of the Field Library. I loved many things about this project:

  • “Mature local artists” working side-by-side with the participants
  • The methodology: teaching painting skills to build toward a communal product
  • The thematic connection: bringing in local history and sense of place
  • The permanent installation: celebrating the work and creativity of older adults in the public space
Write Out!: A Senior Memoir Writing Course at The LOFT LGBT Center, White Plains, NY
Fingerprints: An Anthology from Write Out! at The LOFT LGBT Center in White Plains, NY, supported by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
Fingerprints: An Anthology from Write Out! at The LOFT LGBT Center in White Plains, NY, supported by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation

We’re used to hearing coming out stories from young people, but hearing these stories told from the point of view of people who came out as older adults is doubly poignant.

This is a photo of Ed Friedman. Ed is wearing a suit and tie. He has short hair and a goatee. He is wearing glasses. Credit: Jeremy Amar
Ed Friedman, co-founder and Executive Director, Lifetime Arts. Credit: Jeremy Amar

The Q &A session that followed led to many in the audience expressing regrets that they hadn’t taken this class and would be sure to do so should the opportunity arise. The anthology produced featured a sampling of the stories told at the culminating event.

Selected Examples of Student Work from Other Creative Aging Programs

Participant work from a sculpture program at Johnson City Public Library in TN, part of Aroha Philanthropies' Seeding Vitality Arts US initiative
Participant work from a sculpture program at Johnson City Public Library in TN, part of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts US initiative
Audio Extra

Listen to Johnson City Public Library participant, Richard Hood’s thoughts about his surprising experience in this bird sculpture workshop, and how registering for this creative aging workshop changed his life for the better at a critical moment. Richard’s letter is read by Ed Friedman.

 

Flamenco at Diana H. Jones Innovative Senior Center taught by Glenda Sol Koeraus for SU-CASA. Credit: Jeremy Amar
Flamenco at Diana H. Jones Innovative Senior Center taught by Glenda Sol Koeraus for SU-CASA, a program of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department for the Aging. Credit: Jeremy Amar

 

Participant work from Beading with the Big Chief Darryl Montana, part of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums at the Louisiana State Museum
Participant work from Beading with the Big Chief Darryl Montana at the Louisiana State Museum, part of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums

 

Participant signing his digital photograph, Miami-Dade Library System, Arcola Lakes Branch, part of Creative Aging in America's Libraries, , funded by the IMLS
Participant signing his digital photograph, Miami-Dade Library System, Arcola Lakes Branch, part of Creative Aging in America’s Libraries, funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services

 

LAAN/Phoenix Public Library participant displaying finished watercolor works.
LAAN/Phoenix Public Library participant displaying finished watercolor works

 

Participant work from Union County Heritage Museum, part of Aroha Philanthropies' Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums
Participant work from Union County Heritage Museum, part of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums