Art Class for the elderly
Submitted by tsveleva on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 22:55.
Last updated on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 12:12.
Vital Stats
ongoing project
12/01/2007
People Impacted:
25People Involved: 15
Money Raised: $500 (Do Something Grant)
Project Photos
The Problem
During the last two years, I have volunteered for, and continue to work with seniors at Senior Housing Options, a low income senior housing program with several locations around Denver and statewide. I regularly visited the residents, keeping them company and doing errands with them, etc. I thought I could help them in other ways, too: Because on e of my main passions in life is art,I started giving art lessons to the seniors residing there once a week. This was an amazing way to include two of my most enjoyed activities to the schedule - creating art and teaching others the same.
Why It's Important
It is my goal to make the participants feel more self-confident, and give them the desire to do more with art. I believe that everyone could learn from the elders' wisdom of living through many decades, and hope to get more volunteering to join me with this project. By expanding this program to other Senior Housing Option properties I hope to impact many other seniors. Currently this project has little funding, so the art activities are kept with basic materials.
The Plan Of Action
I developed an art curriculum, organized a schedule, and enlisted some other students from my school to join me so we could reach other senior residents through art activities, and hopefully bring a little joy and companionship into their lives.
This class is hosted for the residents of Park Hill Housing. During lessons the seniors are led in drawing either a still life or a subject to evolve their creativity. Through this experience the elderly are able to express their thoughts either about their memories or their present life on paper. The object of this class is to be able to transfer the image that the participant is thinking of clearly on paper, and thus expand their talents and enrich their skills. Currently there are five constant participants, and a few drop-ins each lesson-which are led every Thursday. Many of the participants are disabled in some way, and it is a struggle to lead them past their fears of making mistakes.
I consider this an important and valuable activity, and I want to continue to provide this service to these older and sometimes lonely and isolated residents to enhance the quality of their lives. I also recognize that I am learning through my association with these people and am grateful for the experiences of knowing them, and learning from them as well.
How Can Others Get Involved?
Currently this project has little funding, so the art activities are kept with basic materials. If you are interested in helping me fund raise, or would like information about how to start this project in YOUR area, please write me a comment!
Project Updates
10/16/08
Update: My project is flourishing with the help of new volunteers and students. Since I have gotten the grant the students have been very happy with their new supplies. They have grown confidence in doing art, and even sold some of their pieces. 10/16/08
Update: 
Final Grant Update
10/16/08
Yevgenia TsvelevaNumber of people impacted: 10-15 students
Describe the impact the grant had: Each students got to try a media that is new to them, and they loved it. Everyone found a media they are comfortable doing art in. For example, one of the students has had problems controlling her hand motions. She really loved working with chalk pastels because minor mistakes are unnoticed in this media. The grant also helped Senior Housing Options, which is a non profit organization, and has a tight budget.
Project highlights: The art show. Getting to know my students, since they have so much experience in life. Having the students be happy after they finish some amazing art.
How did the project unfold and develop? My project began with the requst of an arts class by a Senior Housing Options residency. Since I have been teaching this class for about a year now I gotten to know the students well, especially the way they do art. The students have gotten comfortable with the ways they express themselves, and it boosted their confidence. At the end of summer we were able to host an art show at a different residency, where the donations of the art works sold went straight to the artists. Since March I have gotten some new students, and a few volunteers.
10/16/08
Yevgenia(Jenny) TsvelevaNumber of people impacted: 10-15 students
Describe the impact the grant had: 4. The grant money helped with buying of art materials. These materials attracted the attention of the residents and they were willing to join the class. Each student has found a media that they are more comfortable working with. For example, one of the students has a problem controlling the motions of her hands. She found it more comfortable to work with chalk pastels, because the media is more forgiving. The grant has helped Senior Housing Options with their budget. The project itself and the grant winning were a good advertising for the new residents of Park Hill Seniors home.
Project highlights: 2.Art show. Getting to know the students themselves. Seeing kids my age getting involved with the community
How did the project unfold and develop? 1. My project began by the request of an art class by the residents themselves. I developed strategies to help the students with art and feeling comfortable with what they make. Since I have been teaching the class for a long time, I have gotten to know the students well. There has gotten new students almost every week. I was able to host an art show at the end of summer, where the donations for art works have gone to the students directly. The community loved seeing that the residents are doing something with art.
Location
Related Causes:
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Comments
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Hi just signed up for site as wanted to say I feel exactly the same as you. I live in Cumbria, England and work as a voluntary art tutor for the elderly. They tend to be forgotten and have so much to give and still enjoy learning especially art.
Am pleased you got some extra funding - it is difficult here as well - most funding seems to go to the youngsters. Well done on your project. Am a volunteer also at Tullie House in Carlisle where there is an outreach programme where we visit day centres and old folks homes and work with the elderly. Am an artist myself and get such reward from helping others and sharing my skills. We are certaily not in it for the money!
Best wishes and keep with the good work,
Jacqui
email: crackerjac5@raja.adsl24.co.uk