Seniors in the Kawartha Lakes are experiencing a brush with art through a new program for older adults being offered through Kawartha Art Gallery.
On Monday (July 21), the gallery announced the launch of “Seniors for Seniors,” a new outreach program designed by seniors for seniors.
The sensory-based visual arts initiative brings practising artists into long-term care homes to deliver engaging and inclusive workshops that foster creativity, connection, and well-being, according to a media release.
“Arts are part of the solution for healthier communities,” Kawartha Art Gallery’s executive director Susan Taylor told kawarthaNOW. “Art programming for seniors (creates) a workout for the aging brain.”
She said art activities improve memory, problem-solving skills, and attention span, noting that research shows that the positive health outcomes of art-based activity are enhanced well-being and a reduced risk of dementia.
“In hiring artists 55 years and older to lead the program, the gallery creates an additional level of support for individuals 55-plus to stay active and engaged in their community,” she said.
The program is designed to promote social participation, reduce isolation, and strengthen community ties through shared creative expression. In addition to supporting residents, the program also follows government mandates to hire the senior artists, which also keeps those older adults busy and productive.
With the support of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the pilot phase of Seniors for Seniors is currently underway at Victoria Manor in Lindsay. Groups of four to six residents are taking part in art-making sessions in a calm and positive environment.
According to the media release, the program has been “warmly received” by the participating seniors.
“Participants are enjoying the hands-on activities and the opportunity to socialize. Their completed artworks are also sparking conversation and interaction among other residents, visiting family members, and staff.”
Kawartha Art Gallery intends to expand the program, with the long-term goal of making Seniors for Seniors a permanent part of its community outreach programming.
“Programs like Seniors for Seniors are a testament to the power of creativity at every stage of life,” said RoseMarie Condon, artist, and project supervisor at Kawartha Art Gallery. “It’s a joy to see how art opens doors for connection and self-expression.”
Rachel Edmondson, life enrichment supervisor with the City of Kawartha Lakes, said providing this type of meaningful engagement for seniors is a goal for long-term care communities in the Kawartha Lakes.
The only public art gallery in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha Art Gallery is the steward of a permanent collection on behalf of residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The gallery also hosts year-round exhibits with fee payments for artists as recommended by CAFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens), a non-profit corporation that is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists.
