The senior residents at Mather Home, an assisted living facility in Evanston, IL, are discovering how art can tell a story.

A pair of teaching artists from Art Encounter stand before a group of Mather Home ’s elderly residents with an irregularly-shaped original abstract painting.  The mysterious, intensely colorful canvas holds the group in attention.  “What do you see here?” one of the teaching artists asks the group.  “Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.”

One gentleman guesses it is a view of the Chicago El tracks.   “Why do you think the artist used bright colors?” asks the other artist. Thoughtful responses abound. The general consensus is that the artist wanted to transform a common sight into something very extraordinary.

The residents then begin their own creative project. Using a variety of materials, they construct collages on the theme of "memory." The teaching artists give everyone a great deal of personal attention and encouragement. For some, this is the very first art project they have ever created.

When needed, the teaching artists offer assistance with cutting, pasting, and other tasks. For those with very little recall ability, the artists guide them toward a more generalized theme. 

At the end of the program, the seniors take turns sharing their memory collages with the group. They discover how art can tell a story, and that their stories are important.

Our senior programs enhance the lives of approximately 1,000 Chicago metropolitan area seniors each year. To schedule a program, please contact Program Coordinator Elaine Duhl (847/328-9222, artencounter@yahoo.com)

Hats Off For Art: Creative Community Building with Older Adults
A new senior program beginning March 2007

A generous grant from the Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation will support a new series of art appreciation and art making workshops for the elderly. Designed by Joanna Pinsky and Marcy Sperry, the project’s goal is to build social community in assisted living homes through 6 sessions of creating and discussing art. Participants explore painting, drawing, sculpting and mixed media activities. The project culminates with each participant creating a hat embellished with a variety of materials. More about this program:

"Hats Off For Art" shows how visual art can improve the quality of life for aging populations. Conducted at senior residences, assisted care facilities, and nursing homes, the program provides meaningful opportunities for seniors to learn about multiple aspects of visual art as a means to tap into potential for self-expression, and have engaged social interaction with peers.

Our hands-on learning process goes beyond the traditionally passive “arts and crafts” activities typically offered at care facilities. Guided by teaching artists, residents take part in a 6-week series of workshops that includes activities such as viewing and discussing original, museum-quality works of art and creating a hands-on project that articulates the richness of their life experience.

In the program’s final session (which gives the series its title), residents will embellish a vintage hat using various techniques and materials. Hats are used by all cultures to convey complex cultural meanings that express one’s status, religion, occupation, and collective or personal identity. Residents will mine their own experiences and create an expressive representation of who they are. Finished hat creations will be displayed at a reception where friends and family will celebrate this artistic achievement.

Beginning spring '07, we will conduct this program at Chicago metropolitan area care facilities including: St. Pauls House & Health Care Center and Fairmont Care Center in Chicago; Dobson Plaza, Wagner Health Care, and the Council for Jewish Elderly Adult Day Services in Evanston; and Lincolnwood Place in Lincolnwood, IL.

Other senior programming:

Reminiscence Workshops
Seniors explore personal memories through a hands-on art making project.

Spirit of Art
"Brings the museum to the participants” with an installation of museum-quality original art at the host’s facility. Teaching artists lead seniors through interactive discussions.  The program is adaptable to the intellectual level of different groups and can be geared to reach participants with different degrees of alertness.

Clay Dwellings
Seniors use clay to create an imaginary dwelling for a person, animal, or imaginary creature.