Remote Creative Aging Programs Addressed Social Isolation in 7 New York Counties During Pandemic

Photo by Mary Salica

The New York State Creative Aging Initiative, an innovative partnership between The New York State Council on the Arts, The New York State Office for the Aging, and Lifetime Arts launched during the middle of the pandemic concluded in February 2022. Lifetime Arts trained and coached staff members from 7 area agencies on aging and nearly 70 New York state based teaching artists to plan, design, and implement 14 remote creative aging programs throughout the state.

“Just getting started at the beginning of the pandemic, this cross-sector partnership was the first to benefit from our big pivot to online/remote programming. Through the darkest days, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York State Office for the Aging — together with Lifetime Arts’ intrepid programming and education teams — kept the momentum going and delivered exciting online programs throughout New York State,” said Lifetime Arts co-founder/CEO, Maura O’Malley.

Participating teaching artists also applied for mentorships, and were coached by program instructors and Lifetime Arts. “The Lifetime Arts mentor/mentee program truly had a chance to grow when we converted this program from an in-person initiative to a digital initiative ⁠— offering all the programs online. This was a necessary shift due to the pandemic, and one in which our mentees and mentors learned so much from. Not only were they able to put into action all the best practices we recommend when working online in creative aging programs, but they also brought back valuable information about working online with older adults that we can directly disseminate in our trainings,” added Annie Montgomery, Senior Education Designer and Trainer.

Nearly 130 older adults learned artmaking skills, created artwork, and shared their accomplishments during online culminating events attended by family, friends, project stakeholders, and community members. Here are some highlights!

Writing for Radio

Participants share their stories in, “If By Chance,” a radio play created from the program, “Writing for Radio,” taught by Vinny Mraz and offered through the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. Credit: Vinny Mraz

In January 2022 Vinny Mraz taught, “Writing for Radio,” which was offered through the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. The group practiced writing techniques, explored what makes a story unique to radio, and created their own sound effects from objects around their homes. The program culminated in the radio play, “If By Chance,” which features a collage of participants’ stories ranging from “secrets told at the country club” to confrontations with their parents. Take a listen.

Bringing Objects to Life in Watercolor

Participant artwork from the program, “Bringing Objects to Life in Watercolor,” taught by Lifetime Arts Trainer, Antonia Perez and offered through the Clinton County Office for the Aging. Credit: Antonia Perez

In October 2021 Antonia Perez led participants through traditional and contemporary watercolor painting techniques to depict still-life objects from their personal surroundings in the program, “Bringing Objects to Life in Watercolor.”

During this 8-week program offered through the Clinton County Office for the Aging, participants learned to mix a wide range of colors, constructed a watercolor painting, and learned how to apply layers of paint to complete their final pieces. This program culminated in a virtual public exhibition, where participants presented their work and discussed their process.

“It was great to see people active and engaged in this class. The participants have gained skills to allow them to keep working with watercolors should they choose to do so (and most have indicated that they will). Thank you for the opportunity and we look forward to offering more classes in the future.”
Darleen Collins, Program Coordinator at Clinton County Office for the Aging

An Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting

Participants share their work during the program, “An Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting,” taught by Jade Lam and offered through the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services and Essex County Office for the Aging. Credit: Jade Lam

In September and October 2021 Jade Lam taught, “An Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting,” offered through both the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services and the Essex County Office for the Aging.

Participants explored fundamental concepts and techniques of Chinese brush painting, and focused on the Four Noble Plants: the bamboo, orchid, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom. They learned about each the plant’s symbolic meaning and practiced the unique brushstrokes for each. The culminating event included a public slideshow of participant’s final work, which encouraged participant feedback and discussion.

“Jade Lam, in my opinion, is an excellent artist, and perhaps in this instance more importantly, an excellent teacher. She is pleasant, gives clear explanations and instructions, and I like the way she greets each one of us at the beginning of the session. I would love to progress in future classes with her in this medium. Thank you so much for presenting these classes, especially at this time via Zoom.”
Participant, Intro to Chinese Brush Painting

Photographing the Beauty Around Me

Photo by Candace Gates

Participant photography from the remote program, “Photographing the Beauty Around Me,” taught by Lifetime Arts Trainer, Rhynna M. Santos and offered through the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs, Essex County Office for the Aging, and Saratoga County Office for the Aging.

Last summer Rhynna M. Santos taught, “Photographing the Beauty Around Me,” to groups of participants in three counties: Essex County Office for the Aging, Saratoga County Office for the Aging, and Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

During this 6-week program, participants learned basic point-and-shoot skills, and studied proper camera operation and photo composition. Their final photos were shared in a public presentation where each student discussed their work with the entire class.

“I really like teaching remotely. I don’t think not being able to be in the same room is a hindrance, but more an opportunity to serve a larger number of older adults. My students worked hard at learning how to use their new digital cameras and also pushed themselves to develop an artist’s gaze. I had a wonderful time getting to know my students and hope to be able to get the opportunity to work with more older adult New Yorkers.”
Rhynna M. Santos, Lifetime Arts Trainer

Connections Made Online Lead to In-Person Friendships

Julie Kline, our Director of Education and Training, highlighted the following important anecdote stressing that the social engagement that starts online during a remote program can also continue in-person:

“At a culminating event for a memoir class offered to folks of a fairly rural NY county, one of the participants spoke to the connections she had made to the other students — so much so that she had already had two in-person coffee dates with another participant, ‘swinging by her home’ to pick her up! I was so pleased on that this online social engagement led to in-person meet-ups, illustrating beautifully how remote creative aging programs really do ease social isolation for older adults.”

This initiative was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, New York State Office for the Aging, and the Association on Aging in New York with support from the New York State Legislature.