Teaching Artist of the Month: Sandra Drabant

What is your primary artistic medium?

I primarily work with mixed media, paint, collage and drawing. I enjoy painting layered canvases of color and texture because I love the surprises this intuitive process can bring.

How did you get started as a teaching artist?

I am a formally-trained art teacher, art therapist and artist, so combining these three passions has always been a natural fit for me. I love connecting with people through art and helping people find a way to appreciate and express their imaginative and creative parts of themselves.

What led you to Creative Aging?

I am working in the Projects Department at the United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) where I have been able to use my creative skills in a number of different ways. One of the projects I worked on was painting a mural on all sides of a cinder block building on campus (each side was 12’ x 24’). The murals theme was the four seasons (winter, summer, spring and fall). My favorite part about doing this project was when residents would come out to visit me while I was painting the mural. It was while I was working on this project that I was invited to teach pottery classes to the residents in assisted living and independent living at UMRC.

What is one of the most challenging or surprising aspects of this work?

One of the most surprising and rewarding aspects of this work is being witness to the residents’ resilience and determination to overcome the challenges they face when recovering from a stroke and loss of mobility, eyesight and hearing. The most exciting challenge in this work is finding ways to adapt the art processes and materials for the participants who may, for example, have only the use of one hand, or can no longer see or hear very well.

UMRC pottery class participant.

Tell us about the class you are teaching at UMRC.

In my groups at UMRC, which is located in Chelsea, Michigan, I am teaching hand building techniques in pottery. I am fortunate enough to teach three classes in hand building. I teach two classes in assisted living; one has participants who access the rehabilitation programs at UMRC, and the other class is with independent living residents. Each of them are very different and I alway leave the classes feeling a sense of accomplishment because the residents are always so grateful and appreciative of the class.

Tell us a short story from your class that demonstrates the benefits of Creative Aging Workshops for participants.

We always start the class with a brief get-to-know-you game where we learn some fascinating things about each other and end up laughing quite a bit. The sessions then go into a brief demonstration of the technique being used for the session (pinch, coil, slab, etc). Many of the residents comment that they have not used the clay medium for years or since they were young children, if at all. The sensory and tactile nature of clay seems to bring back far away memories. One resident often comments when she is working the clay, that it reminds her of the “clay in her creek” on the property where she lived. Another resident creates each piece for his wife as a gift. Some “threaten” to give all their ceramic pieces to their children and grandchildren to make up for all the pieces they received from them as they were growing up! Many of them have conveyed a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they create, while others enjoy the process and simply being in a room with other people who are creative and creating.

What do you have planned for the culminating event at UMRC for this next class?

We have two culminating events planned, both in the form of an exhibition. We will invite staff, family and friends of the residents. Food and drink will be served with music playing while guests and the residents enjoy the creations on display. Next to the collection of ceramic work on display will be the artist participants’ names and an artist reflection or statement about the experience of the class.

What are your current and upcoming projects for your own artwork or other teaching projects?

I am applying to be a contributing artist with the program, “Brushes with Cancer Chicago, 2018”. Following the application process I will be matched with someone who has been touched by cancer; a survivor, reviver, caregiver, or supporter. I will  work collaboratively with that person to create an art piece for the culminating fundraiser event in Chicago later in 2018.

Thank you Sandra, for your wonderful work with Lifetime Arts.

Check out Sandra’s Teaching Artist Profile on Lifetime Arts’ Roster, or search the Roster to find qualified Teaching Artists in your area.

*Sandra’s class at UMRC in Chelsea, MI is made possible by Aroha Philanthropies’ “Seeding Vitality Arts U.S.” initiative.