With a research study grant made possible by the California Arts Council, EngAGE partnered with UCSF on a unique Ceramics Arts Research Study. Interviews for participants were held in March, 2018, and 20 residents were selected for the 12-week study at Long Beach Senior Arts Colony. The weekly classes were facilitated by instructor Colette Brown and her assistant, Kana.
During the study, participants worked on a series of projects designed to encourage creativity while adhering to a structured progression.
At least half of the residents were first-time art students and never had stepped into the art studio before. The sessions started with a brief coffee/tea time where residents could socialize and get to know one another. As they faced their first lump of clay, they were tentative, yet their work evolved into what became an art explosion as evidenced by the culminating event exhibit. Here’s the video.
Follow-up interviews conducted by UCSF research assistants were held shortly after the event. Throughout the 12-week research study, participants remarked about how enjoyable the experience was and how proud they felt of the beautiful ceramic pieces they created. Comments from the class:
“This class made me happy.”
“I want to continue to create art.”
“I never knew I could do this!”
“I am proud of myself.”
And we couldn’t be more proud of our LBSAC participants!
~ Helene Weinberg, Program Director at Long Beach Senior Arts Colony, Long Beach, CA
The results of the study, led by Julene K. Johnson, were published last month in Arts & Health Journal: “Exploring the effects of visual and literary arts interventions on psychosocial well-being of diverse older adults: a mixed methods pilot study.”
