EngAGE has long advocated the power of the arts in benefiting health, so we’re pleased to be included as a resource in today’s article by Alexis Collazo on Senior Planet. Check out the useful list of arts organizations, plus get some DIY book ideas to help you get creative.
In 2014, EngAGE Founder and Executive Director Tim Carpenter gave a “Planet Talk” for Senior Planet entitled “Thriving Through the Arts.” It’s an inspiring presentation about how EngAGE was created and how it’s evolved over the years to provide not only college-level arts classes and educational workshops, but also apartment communities designed from the ground up with all of the arts and technology amenities residents can enjoy. Set aside 38 minutes to sit back and watch! ~ And if you’d like information about OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) which hosted the live-streamed talk, check out their website.
La Coruña Senior Apartments in Van Nuys enjoyed a Cooking Class with Anne Apra, a professional caterer who has been teaching Cooking Classes at La Coruña for two years.
As we enter summer, Anne taught the class how to make Spring Pea Soup (good hot or chilled!) and a lovely simple salad with cherry tomatoes, spring greens, cucumbers, cauliflower, and a Dijon citrus dressing. Anne always brings containers for the residents to take home leftovers!
~ Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Programs Director
EngAGE offers a variety of classes, workshops, and special programs at each of our communities. These posts highlight just a small sample.
“Worth Repeating” is a weekly feature on the EngAGE Blog that will bring you previous posts that we think are still timely, interesting, or just plain fun! From 6/30/15:
The Journal on Active Aging has published an excellent article by Marilynn Arkin, M.A., on Arts Colonies, and we’re delighted that the focus is on the EngAGE flagship communities created and developed by Founder and Executive Director Tim Carpenter. If you want to learn about how and why EngAGE was created and how important our programs are for the health and well-being of seniors, take a few minutes to read this!
Here’s just one of the important observations from Tim in this article:
From an arts colony’s programming perspective, “the biggest challenge is how people in the United States perceive aging and the self-stereotyping that results,” Carpenter reveals. “When you hear negative stereotypes of aging enough times, you start to believe them. So our first job is to undo the effects of that.” He acknowledges that’s not an easy task, especially in Los Angeles. [Ed. The city’s influential entertainment industry is notoriously ageist. For example, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, 37, was recently told she is “too old” to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man.] “I’m in the heart of darkness here,” Carpenter admits. “But we’re doing all we can in designing our programming to improve perceptions of aging and to let people know they are capable of coming downstairs or walking across a courtyard to take a class.”
When you read what EngAGE programming has accomplished, you’ll see just how much it contributes to changing those perceptions of aging among the general populace and, equally important, among older adults. If you want to learn more about the non-profit EngAGE, Inc., please visit our website at www.engageforlife.org.
From Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments in San Bernardino:
Art with Matt instructor Matthew McMillon leads both beginner and advanced artists in learning about different techniques and mediums while exploring and discovering their own creative potential.
Projects:
Instructor’s Notes: My students really enjoyed moving into the watercolor painting with wax resist lesson. Some of the students were particularly engaged and focused on this project. Furthermore, students seemed to enjoy looking for reference images for the artworks and utilizing the aforementioned images to help build the figurative elements of their work. I’m really proud of this class because they have each started to build individual styles and have a deep commitment to their work. Each student is driven to come to class, apply effort and enjoy themselves, which is great!
~ Alma Wright, Regional Programs Director
EngAGE offers a variety of classes, workshops, and special programs at each of our communities. These posts highlight just a small sample.
Tune in to Experience Talks, our weekly “Radio Magazine for the Experienced Listener,” on Sundays at 5:00 PM PT on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, 99.5 China Lake, 93.7 N. San Diego, streaming live online, and now syndicated on up to 100 Pacifica Network stations! Experience Talks is produced by the non-profit EngAGE, Inc.
Miss the show? You can always hear it as a podcast on the Listen Page of our website! You’ll also find an archive-in-progress of all of our previous shows there for you to enjoy. New shows are usually posted within 48 hours after broadcast
JUNE 26 through JULY 17 – Experience Talks will be on hiatus for the KPFK-FM Summer Fund Drive. You can show some love for the only radio station powered by the people by donating here. You can also support KPFK by buying merchandise in their Zazzle Store.
Remember: more donations = fewer Fund Drives! Thank you.
“Profiles” is a new EngAGE Blog category devoted to occasional posts about older people who have made a significant creative impact in our world. Today’s subject: MICHAEL CAINE
