As the designated state art museum, the Georgia Museum of Art has long been a champion of artistic outreach around the state. “Creative Aging” programming is popular nationwide these days, thanks to seminal research in the early aughts that continues to show the positive benefits of art and creative endeavors for aging older adults. Before there was evidence-based research for older adult programming, the Georgia Museum of Art’s senior outreach programming, guided for nearly two decades by Diane Barret, helped older adults experience the joy of art well before today’s popular older adult programming.
“The term ‘creative aging’ can refer to a broad range of arts programs for older adults,” said Callan Steinmann, Georgia Museum of Art’s Curator of Education. “Supported by a study in the early 2000s that was conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts, in conjunction with the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, the study found that learning new artistic skills improved seniors’ health in a myriad of ways. Participants in short-term art workshops and classes visited the doctor less often, had better measures of mental health, increased their involvement in other social activities and reported improvement in their social lives.”
“Artmaking,” added Steinmann, “has been shown to improve older adults’ brain power and may inhibit cognitive decline.”
Today’s older adult outreach continues at the museum with two workshops that focus on artmaking and mindful movement. Seated Yoga, held in the galleries four times a year, is led by Raquel Durden, director of Humble Warrior Wellness and Yoga. She has been an instructor for over 15 years uses her experience to guide participants in a gentle style of yoga that emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques.
The advantages of yoga have been well documented. According to one Brigham and Women’s hospital study, yoga was found to “improve balance, mobility, and mental well-being in older adults,” as well as “[increase] walking speed and the ability to rise from a chair, both associated with less frailty and increased longevity.” Evidence of the benefits of viewing art, alongside practicing yoga, come together in this creative aging program. Afterall, what better way is there to practice mindfulness and thoughtfulness than to practice yoga while surrounded by the beautiful artwork of our galleries? Want to join in on the experience? Our next Seated Yoga workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. The program is free, but registration is required. Email gmoa-tours@uga.edu to reserve your spot.
The museum also offers a Creative Aging Art Workshop once a quarter led by teaching artist Toni Carlucci. Carlucci has been teaching since 1987 and is “passionate about showing others they can learn to draw.” Her workshop engages with current exhibitions on view at the museum, encouraging participants to discuss and make works of art in response. Under Carlucci’s guidance, participants experience a gallery visit, conversation about works on display, and the opportunity to create their own artwork in a studio. The benefits of creative activity for the mind and body are numerous, including “helping individuals relax; assisting in socialization; improving cognition; and fostering a stronger sense of identity,” according to a study from George Washington University.
It is our hope that participation in these programs will cause an increased appreciation for art and wellness, as well as strengthen the connection among members of our older community. “The artmaking program now focuses more on sharing, conversation and creative response related to an exhibition or work of art,” said Steinmann, “allowing participants to build community with one another and with our collection.”
Want to participate in the next Creative Aging Art Workshop? Join us on Tuesday, November 7 at 10 a.m. for our next workshop. The program is free, but registration is required. Email gmoa-tours@uga.edu to register.
Each program is free and open to members of the public, although space is limited. No previous experience with yoga or artmaking is required. To reserve your spot, email gmoa-tours@uga.edu. Be sure to stay up to date with our Community and Public Programs page to keep track of upcoming events. For more information or questions, reach out to Mallory Lind, director of the Creative Aging Programs, at mslind@uga.edu or 706.542.8863.
Want to know more about Creative Aging? Check out Lifetime Arts: National Leaders in Creative Aging Program Development or the National Assembly of State Arts Assemblies creative aging resource.
Authored by:
Adeline Bryant
