STATE AGENCIES
Creative Aging in Wyoming Public Libraries (State Library & State Arts Council)
In September, the Washakie County Library kicked off “Accessible, Meaningful, and Purposeful Photography,” an 8-week, in-person program, led by teaching artist Barrie Lynn Bryant. Carol, a Wyoming-based rancher and a librarian in Ten Sleep, shared a reflection of the workshop she attended on her blog, Red Dirt In My Soul.
“…I think it [the program] will give me more of an insight into the ART of photography. The examination of ‘purpose’ will also help. I try to tell many stories with my photos … [and am learning to] artfully frame the subject, think about the intricacies of light, and reshoot when something is not working.”
Carol
This program, an example of creative aging offerings happening in 23 county libraries across the state supported by Lifetime Arts, will culminate on November 13 in an exhibition of participants’ final projects.
New York State Creative Aging Initiative (Council on the Arts & Office for the Aging)
Throughout 2021 Lifetime Arts has worked with 7 New York area agencies on aging, to develop and implement 12 virtual programs as part of the New York State Creative Aging Initiative. Some of these programs include:
| County Agency | Artform(s) |
| Clinton | Memoir Watercolor |
| Essex | Chinese Brush Painting Drawing/Collage Photography |
| Rockland | Ballroom/Social Dance |
| Saratoga | Ballroom/Social Dance Chinese Brush Painting Memoir |
| Schoharie | Memoir |
| Westchester | Chinese Brush Painting Photography Memoir |
In October, the program, “West Coast Swing, Mambo and More! Introduction to Social Dance from Lifetime Arts,” taught by Lifetime Arts Trainer, Daniela Del Giorno and offered by the Saratoga County Office for the Aging, culminated with a recording of participants singing an original song they wrote titled, “We’ve Been Known to Go Dancing.” Additionally, the recording includes audio clips of students sharing their experiences of the program. Listen to their performance and reflections below.
From November through January, the final programs will be offered by the Schoharie County Office for the Aging and Clinton County Office for the Aging.
URBAN LIBRARY SYSTEMS
Lifetime Arts has been working with the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) to develop and implement over 40 (mostly virtual) creative aging programs as part of the Brooklyn Digital Initiative. As of October, the following programs have been implemented as part of the first round of programming.
| BPL Library Branch | Artform |
| Arlington | Watercolor |
| Borough Park | Drawing/Watercolor |
| Central | Charcoal ; Memory Book ; Drawing/Collage |
| Dyker Heights | Asian Brush Painting |
| Mapleton | Drawing/Watercolor |
| Midwood | Collage |
| Mill Basin | Drawing/Watercolor |
| New Utrecht | Watercolor |
| Spring Creek | Acrylics |
MUSEUMS
The following programs were offered as part of Aroha Philanthropies‘ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums Initiative. Lifetime Arts trained community educators and teaching artists, and continues to provide coaching/technical support during the implementation of these museum programs.
Olana State Historic Site, NY
Credit: Emily Sachar, Consulting Historian & Curriculum Specialist at Olana State Historic Site.
This fall, The Olana Partnership offered the course, “Young at HeART: Plein Air Pastel at Olana,” a visual arts class aligned with the museum’s art exhibition, “Cross Pollination,” featuring American landscape artist, Martin Johnson Meade. The program took place entirely outdoors and allowed participants to explore plein air drawing through the beautiful landscape of the Hudson Valley. Nationally renowned teaching artist, Shawn Dell Joyce, drove north from Florida in her RV camper to teach the class.
Ohio History Connection
In August, the Ohio History Connection wrapped up their third program in this series titled, “Introduction to African- Inspired Bead and Jewelry Making,” which was held in-person at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center located in Wilberforce, OH. In addition to a display of the participants’ finished pieces, the artists modeled their own creations at the culminating event.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI
Credit: Claire Carlson, John Michael Kohler Arts Center
In August, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center offered the in-person/remote program, “Art Links Sheboygan: Book Arts,” where participants created books on many different topics from gardening to overcoming grief. Before beginning their projects, participants were guided through a tour of the museum, and were asked to find one item or area that resonates with them. They analyzed the techniques, messaging, and materials of the artwork on display to bring their own books to life.
Naples Botanical Garden, FL
In late July, the Naples Botanical Garden‘s virtual program, “Nature Journaling: Botany Through Art,” culminated in a virtual 3D art exhibition of participants’ work. The museum took an innovative approach by adding audio clips of participants talking about what inspired their final pieces. Kurt Possai, a participant, painted an image that is dedicated to his friend who passed away from a malignant brain tumor at the age of 47 (shown above). In his recording, he shares his story behind the art, providing an intimate and human experience for viewers.
“This interview was one of the more emotional and powerful recordings I have done since starting this program. To me, it shows that our creative aging course truly is having a positive impact on the participants’ lives. From these interviews, I have heard that the course encourages people to slow down and appreciate the life around them, offers a sense of routine, paves the way for a new sense of purpose, connects them with the biodiversity of plants around them, and even gives participants a sense of pride and fulfillment.”
Mary Helen Reuter, Curator of Education & Visitor Experience at Naples Botanical Garden
View the virtual exhibition to see more participant work and hear their stories behind the art.
ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
The following programs were offered as part of the National Guild for Community Arts Education’s Catalyzing Creative Aging Initiative (a long term partnership project with Lifetime Arts).
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, NH
This summer, the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) offered the six-week virtual program, “A World of Percussion,” which culminated in an in-person group performance with friends and family at the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center. The instructor, Brian Shankar Adler, taught participants the basics of rhythm and improvisation through percussion instruments with a focus on regional musical culture.
“Throughout the week, participants emailed me and the others sharing their adventures and how they were discovering new rhythms in their daily lives. One heard a groove in the chopping of carrots, another found rhythm in an art exhibition. Several other participants mentioned that their listening and awareness were actually changing as the program developed.”
Brian Shankar Adler, PMAC Teaching Artist
Read Brian’s reflection, “Creative Aging + A World of Percussion,” to learn more about the program.
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, LA
In August, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge hosted their culminating event for the program, “Writing in Color,” at the Goodwood Main Library. The 5-week program was led by teaching artist Miles Boone and took place in-person and virtually via Zoom. Participants were provided camera equipment and writing instruments to build a portfolio of poems, journal entries, short essays/stories, and photography that were shared during the culminating event.
