We Care Arts reaching seniors through the new Creative Aging Project

 How does We Care Arts enhance the lives of seniors through Art?  In February, 2016, we started the Creative Aging Project through the Ohio Arts Council, with the primary goal of bringing joy and happiness into the lives of seniors through art. Several of our art teachers currently visit a variety of nursing homes and senior living centers throughout the Dayton area to teach a wide range of art classes.  

These art classes focus on activities such as painting, water colors, stenciling, painting ceramics, bird house, and many other activities. Many of our classes also create projects based on the current holiday. 



Our talented art teachers travel to several different facilities including 10 Wilmington Place and Dynamic Senior Solutions. Other places fortunate to participate in the program include East Dayton Senior Collaborative, Woodglen, Brookdale, Greater Dayton Premier Management, Brookview Place Apartments, the Alzheimer's Association', Widow's Home, Pinnacle Point and the Senior Center of Northwest Dayton. 

These classes are either taught weekly or monthly, depending on the location. 

Since the program began in February, we have definitely seen how these art classes have helped participants in many ways. 
Participating in the art activities truly help people relax and get their mind off of their everyday concerns. Staff and volunteers have experienced positive observations of changes in the participants attitudes and motivation to join the class from one class to the next, or even from the beginning of class to the end. Sometimes, art students bring their family members to class so they can have fun together and enjoy some relaxing family time. 

One active participant seemed sad during the first couple of classes and has become much happier in recent classes. We  have also noticed that these art classes greatly contribute to the pride of the seniors to independently participate in the projects.

Many of the art classes in the Creative Aging Project are large, with over 40 participants. Occasionally, not everyone is actively involved with the art project but still enjoy interacting and observing their friends. 

As you may already know, We Care Arts depends on a large number of volunteers for our events, projects, and activities. Because of the larger sized classes, the Creative Aging Project can always benefit from more volunteers. 

If you are interested in learning more about We Care Arts or helping to enhance the lives of seniors through this project, please feel free to contact us.