The arts and art-based engagement are powerful tools for fostering connection, supporting self-expression, and improving mental stimulation. In our experience as Creative Engagement Specialists, we recognize that making art is more than its outcome; it’s engaging our senses, cultivating purpose, and encouraging creativity. When you add community, you allow opportunities for giving and receiving encouragement and joy.
The participants we’ve come to know through our Art of Connection program exemplify this with a motivating, “Almost there!” or a celebratory, “You’ve done it!”
What is Art of Connection?
It is one of Aging Wisdom’s newest Creative Engagement programs. Art of Connection brings curated art experiences to older adults living together in Adult Family Homes.
Over the past few months, my colleagues Jo, Samantha, Sarah, and I have traveled to Adult Family Homes to facilitate nature printing, mandala painting, and marble art, brought to life by group participants. Art of Connection projects can also involve floral design, watercolor, rock painting, collage, and more.
Hands-on Arts Engagement
To begin our nature printing project, sage, rosemary, citrus fruits, and leaf cuttings are ready and laid across the table. We ground ourselves as a group with some deep breaths of rosemary sprigs.
Each item has a unique print to discover. One woman gasps, eyes wide as a lemon half is inked on a pad, then stamped and pulled away from her card.
The pattern is calming.
Another woman traces her finger around the shapes.
Each participant’s approach is unique. Some are cautious at first, doubtful of their artistic abilities. Another individual creates several cards in a flurry and rolls throughout the house to hand them out, or a gentle voice may chime in to praise a housemate whose colored pencil skills they know will come in handy.
We learn from and with each other, and over time tailor the session to the individuals’ strengths and interests. This way participants can get the most out of these experiences which are now part of their routine.
The group orients to a closing exercise, and we pass completed artwork around to see what we notice.
“It looks like music!” one woman describes as she wiggles her fingers across the page to explain the effect. Another looks at her own (right) and sees two people, in blue, playing tennis over a green net of rosemary. The way the print has blurred across her paper is the tennis ball, caught in action, in hues of orange. Compliments are shared and we linger without the need for hurried goodbyes.
Depending on the day, some choose to share their connection to Seattle whereas others are inclined for a bit of singing.
Research shows engaging in the arts for 45 minutes can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase quality of life. Art also brings people together and can help individuals living with memory loss stay connected to the world around them. All of these attributes are occurring as we meet and create together.
How can you bring more art into your life and the lives of those you care about?
The Art of Connection team
Creative Engagement Specialist team members mentioned above include Jo Claxton, who dug around her garden before dawn, guided by her headlamp in the dark, for our nature clippings. Jo offers insight into continual growth and dementia-friendly experiences.
Sarah Rankin, whose “let’s try” attitude can tempt even those who might not consider themselves artists, and who grounds us in the reminder to remain open to moments of joy one hour at a time.
Samantha Maloof, who can naturally put a room at ease through humor and is a loyal 1:1 art partner to ensure folks can actively participate through accessibility modifications and encouragement.
Editor’s note: Salem Spinelli, article author, focuses on encouraging participants to try new things, support their well-being, and deepen connection with one another.
Finally, none of this would be possible without our larger creative engagement team who have been involved since the first threads of this project, our director, Katie Lamar, and the nature of relationships which inherently beckon the desire for increased connectivity and searching for those conduits.
Are you an Adult Family Home owner interested in bringing the Art of Connection program to your community? Reach out to Katie Lamar, Director of Creative Engagement, at katie@agingwisdom.com for details.
We also offer one-on-one creative engagement visits.
