Art in everyday life

I was fortunate a few years back I had cataract surgery. I say fortunate because after my surgery I saw the world in a different light. I could see colours that had been lost to me. As we grow older, we may forget the wonders that are all around us. Humans love the new and we are searching for new experiences all the time, but as we get older it becomes more difficult to find new in our lives. One way to find new is to encourage seniors to see the art in everyday life. This  can be a wonderful way to enhance our well-being and enrich our daily experiences. In my previous life, I taught art and now as a leader in my community in recreational, health and wellness for seniors here are some suggestions that I think would help seniors appreciate and engage with various art forms:

Collaborate with local arts organizations, museums, theaters, and community centers to create programs specifically tailored for seniors. Arrange field trips, workshops, and performances that bring art into their routines.

Offer regular art classes and workshops at senior centers or retirement communities. Provide opportunities for seniors to explore different art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, or even digital art. Make sure the classes cater to various skill levels and interests.

Establish art appreciation groups where seniors can come together to discuss and explore different art forms. Encourage them to share their favorite artists, songs, books, or movies, fostering a sense of community and sparking conversations around art.

Organize intergenerational events that bring seniors and younger generations together through art. This could involve partnering with local schools or youth organizations to create collaborative art projects, musical performances, or theater productions.

Introduce seniors to technology platforms and digital resources that can enhance their exposure to art. For instance, show them how to access online galleries, virtual museum tours, or streaming services that offer a wide range of music, theater, and films.

Recognize the therapeutic benefits of art and consider incorporating art therapy programs for seniors. Art therapy can help seniors express themselves, alleviate stress, improve cognitive function, and promote emotional well-being.

Use art as a tool for reminiscing and storytelling. Engage seniors in activities like creating memory boxes, collages, or scrapbooks that reflect their life experiences and personal narratives. Encourage them to share stories related to certain songs, artworks, or performances.

Connect seniors with volunteer opportunities in local arts organizations or events. This could involve assisting in art exhibitions, theater productions, or music festivals. Volunteering not only allows them to experience art firsthand but also provides a sense of purpose and connection to the community.

: Organize cultural celebrations or themed events that highlight different art forms. For example, you could host a music festival featuring various genres, a theater performance based on a classic play, or an art exhibition showcasing local artists.

Explore art forms that engage multiple senses. For instance, organize concerts where seniors can not only listen to music but also see the performers and feel the vibrations of the instruments. Incorporate tactile art experiences, such as sculpture or pottery, where seniors can touch and feel the artwork.

By doing some or all of these leaders can create a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages seniors to explore and appreciate art at their own pace. By offering diverse opportunities and tailoring the activities to their interests, you can help seniors develop a deeper appreciation for the art that surrounds them in their daily lives.

Federal Government censorship challenged by Vancouver Actors

Will the prime minister sue a group of Vancouver actors asks the Vancouver Sun, in an attempt to gain readers and to intimidate the artistic community in Vancouver who have decided to challenge Steven Harper and his censorship of the arts. The following is from the Vancouver Sun story and  Google news


David Bloom, who's directing the Vancouver reading of the controversial play Proud, which features (Tom McBeath, John Cassini, Quelemia Sparrow and Gaelan Beatty), says the idea of a libel suit is a red herring, but he understands why artists might be afraid of offending the government.


"Obviously companies who depend on Heritage Canada - have reason to be nervous about upsetting a sitting government - The federal government can withdraw funding from an-body it likes. Would they do something punitive because of this script? Who's to say?" This would sound like paranoia if not for a few recent controversies where artists with an anti-government bent have had their federal funding pulled.


Summerworks, a Toronto theatre festival, lost its annual funding the year after a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office expressed "disappointment" that Heritage Canada funded a festival that presented a play about terrorism.



For more information on the event link here: Staged Reading of PROUD, July 22, 8 PM 

Tickets are general admission, and by donation. For ticket reservations, email proudvancouver@gmail.com .


Vancouver artists stand in solidarity with Toronto colleagues by mounting a staged reading of Michael Healey’s controversial new play, Proud on Sunday, July 22 (8:00 pm) at PL 1422.


Michael Healey wrote Proud during his 11-year tenure as Playwright in Residence at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. When the company chose not to produce the play as part of their 2012-13 season, Healey resigned from his post. The play – a comedy – features an unnamed character called “The Prime Minister” and is about Canadian social and political values. The Tarragon Theatre denies that programming choices are effected by political pressure, but only last year Toronto’s Summerworks Theatre Festival had funding cut by Canadian Heritage after choosing to present a play that allegedly portrayed a homegrown “terrorist” sympathetically. Healey is mounting an independent production of Proud in Toronto this fall.


Vancouver’s reading of Proud is directed by David Bloom, Artistic Director of Felix Culpa, and features Tom McBeath (Death of a Salesman), John Cassini (God of Carnage), Quelemia Sparrow (August: Osage County), and Gaelan Beatty (Xanadu).


Director Bloom says, “We are producing Proud for two reasons: it’s an intelligent and provocative piece of theatre about our current political landscape, and because the greatest threat to the arts is self-censorship and fear.”


He continues, “The fact is we will never know for certain why Tarragon decided not to produce Proud. Here’s a question worth asking though: why is it so easy for us to believe they feared some kind of retribution for producing a play critical of the Harper Government™? Is it because theatre artists are innately timid, or is it because the government’s attacks on their perceived enemies have become so flagrant and outrageous? If they can set aside 8 million dollars to attack charities that disagree with their policies, surely anybody can be a target.”


Vancouver theatre companies supporting Proud include Felix Culpa, Neworld Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, Playwrights Theatre Centre, Ruby Slippers, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Compassionate Bone, Leaky Heaven Circus, and Pi Theatre.