From Passion to Purpose: A Teaching Artist’s Bold Leap into Creative Aging

“The irony of the prompt to tell my creative aging story is that it’s not my story…it’s theirs.”

That’s how Joylynn M. Ross, a literary consultant, publishing coach, and storyteller in Nevada, begins her reflection on her journey into the world of creative aging. And from that first sentence, it’s clear: she’s not here to spotlight herself. She’s here to honor the older adult community who trusted her with their stories—some never told, some never heard—until now.

Answering the Call: A New Chapter Begins

Joylynn poses with her students outside The Neon Museum. — *Joylynn with her students during her program at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, NV.*

When the Nevada Arts Council reached out to Joylynn about a grant opportunity involving training with Lifetime Arts, she jumped in with both feet. “I’m a lifetime learner,” she said. “I wanted to really understand what creative aging was—and how I could bring it into the work I was already doing as a teaching artist.”

Still, she admits she was nervous. Would the training box her in? “Like how romance authors have to follow a certain formula to successfully write a romance novel,” she joked. But those fears quickly faded.

Instead, the training sparked a realization: she’d been doing creative aging work all along—she just didn’t know it had a name. Looking back on her 30-year career as a teaching artist and 20 years as a writing coach, she recognized that nearly 70% of the people she’d served were adults 55 and older. “I’d already been doing the work,” she said, “just not intentionally.” The training gave her the language and tools to serve older adults with purpose—and with a deeper understanding of who they are and how to truly reach them—work she now brings to life in her “Creative Aging Writing & Storytelling Workshop.”

The Lightbulb Moment: Kathy’s Story

Convincing participants that their stories matter can sometimes be the toughest part. Joylynn recalls one woman, Kathy Mirrer, who was unsure she had anything valuable to say. “Who would find me interesting enough to want to listen to?” Kathy asked.

But when Kathy finally shared her story, the room fell silent with awe and attention. “The fellow workshop participants listened…intently… moved and captivated by her words,” Joylynn added. By the final culminating event, Kathy’s confidence as a storyteller had transformed—complete with a speaker sheet, sizzle reel, website, podcast, YouTube channel, LinkedIn profile, and two booked speaking engagements

Participant, Kathy Mirrer, stands at a podium with a microphone. — *Storyteller, Kathy Mirrer, shares her story during the program.*

Beyond the Workshop Walls

A group of culminating event attendees sit in chairs and clap and smile.

While not every participant dives headfirst into the spotlight like Kathy, Joylynn finds the real growth often comes through peer critiques or culminating events. “Listening, too, is an art,” she reminded us. “Listening is a form of service.”

Joylynn smiles and poses with her student, Donna Silva, at the Henderson Silver Knights hockey game. — *Joylynn with her student, Donna Silva, at the Henderson Silver Knights hockey game.*

And it doesn’t stop there. Creative aging for Joylynn isn’t confined to 90-minute workshop sessions. It’s a way of life—spilling out into potlucks, movie nights, WNBA games, cookouts—and even unforgettable moments like when participant Donna Silva rode a Zamboni on her 79th birthday at a Henderson Silver Knights hockey game. There’s nothing we love more than hearing that the connections made during a program continue long after it ends. The lasting bond of community is where the magic happens.

One unforgettable connection came through participant Phyllis Hargrove, who shared a powerful piece titled “They Call Me Brave”—a reflection on representing herself in a five-year discrimination case while battling cancer. From her hospital bed, she drafted legal briefs and ultimately triumphed—against both her employer and the disease. Stories like Phyllis’s are a reminder that creativity can be a lifeline, a form of resistance, and a celebration of resilience.

Joylynn with her student, Phyllis Hargrove, during the program's culminating event. — *Joylynn with her student, Phyllis Hargrove, during the program’s culminating event.*

Building Community Through Partnership

Joylynn (pictured left) leans over a table and writes on a big poster while smiling and looking at two other woman; one is also writing on the poster and the other is sitting in a chair looking at Joylynn.

Joylynn sits between two other panelists (Chase McCurdy and Julie Kline) underneath a projector and speaks to an audience sitting around round tables.

Joylynn participates as a panelist at the Nevada Creative Aging Coalition with Lifetime Arts in May. Credit: Sogand Tabatabaei

Like countless dedicated teaching artists across the country, Joylynn doesn’t do this work alone—and she wouldn’t want to. From her partnerships with organizations like The Neon Museum to her appearances at the Nevada Arts Council Basin to Range Exchange (BRX) and the Nevada Creative Aging Coalition, she’s made it her mission to shout from every rooftop: Creative aging changes lives.

Her motto?

“Individually, as teaching artists, we make a difference, but together—with our partners—we make an impact.”

The Future Is “And,” Not “Or”

Joylynn’s vision for creative aging is an inclusive one.

“My hope is that instead of creating arts programs for our youth or for aging adults, it will become and instead of or. There is room for both,” she said. “You don’t have to forget or throw away one age group in order to serve another.”

It’s a powerful reminder that the arts—and storytelling in particular—are a thread that connects us all, regardless of age.

When people are given the space to share their stories—not just in words, but in all forms of art—they feel seen and heard. And when that happens, something extraordinary unfolds. This is especially meaningful in later life—not because older adults need to be entertained or kept busy, but because, like everyone else, they deserve chances to grow, connect, and express who they are. As Joylynn put it: “Now if that’s not making an impact, then I don’t know what is.”

Joylynn Did It—And So Can You!

Stories like Joylynn’s show just how easy it can be to jump into the world of creative aging. You might already be doing it without even realizing it! No need for a big, polished plan—just start with what you have. Creative aging can happen anywhere, and Lifetime Arts is here to help you discover how it can work for you.

Connect directly with us by clicking here, or register for our upcoming Creative Aging Foundations Training in August
via the link below.

About Joylynn M. Ross

Joylynn M. Ross is an award-winning author, editor, literary consultant, publishing coach, and educator with over 40 publications and more than 750,000 books sold. Her works include the New Day Divas series, If I Ruled the World, An All Night Man, and The Root of All Evil. Her children’s book, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received a Coretta Scott King Honor from the American Library Association. Ross uses her literary works as the foundation for workshops and presentations for audiences ranging from PreK to older adults. She has worked with underserved communities, trauma-affected children, and incarcerated individuals, helping them share their stories through writing and publishing. Learn more about Joylynn and her brands by visiting www.PathToPublishing.com, www.JoylynnMRoss.com, and www.EnjoyWrites.com.