Creative Arts For Life
Creative Arts for Life (CAL) is a program offered by Performing Arts Matter. CAL provides professionally taught classes to older adults at the Venue on the Lake-Maitland Civic Center. Classes meet weekly for 8 consecutive weeks for art instruction with local artists: Marla E, Teri Chin, Tracey Nicholson, Lillian Verkins and Alison Dyer. Classes begin February from 10am-noon. These professionally trained artists lead classes with 2 hours of instruction per week. $95.00 tuition includes supplies selected by the teaching artist for each project. This makes it easy for older adults to participate and ensures that the materials support the planned curriculum. At the end of the 8-week semester, a performance/exhibit occurs. This performance gives the student artist a goal to achieve.
Deadline to Enroll in next session: 9/1/2019
Please, send registration and payment to: Lucy Medford 113 Mockingbird Lane Winter Springs, Fl. 32708
Creative Arts Started in 2016
Spring 2016 classes for seniors was Art, Music and Dance. Fall 2016 classes for Art were with Marla E and Dance with Niki Lin. Spring 2017 was Art with Marla E. The Fall 2017 Art class introduced additional instructors with Marla E, Elizabeth St. Hilaire, Thomas Throspecken and Linda Saracino. Spring 2018 art classes resume at the Venue on the Lake under direction by Lucy Medford.
View the Creative Arts 2016 Celebration on YouTube. (thank you Denese Richmond)
Creative Arts for Life celebrated the completion of its 2015 art class for seniors, the first of many to come, and the newest concept sponsored by Performing Arts of Maitland. On Dec. 16 at the Maitland Art Center “Artist in Action” instructor Martha Lent and CAL Director Denese Richmond recognized their students with acclamation and praise. Over 40 pieces of their art were hung with care for them to share in a reception of honor. Read the recent article by June Flowers in the Winter Park/Maitland Observer.
Watch this page for information about new classes.
Seniors showcased their artwork at the Creative Arts for Life exhibit on Dec. 16.
- By June Flowers
- January 7, 2016 11:43 a.m.
Creative Arts for Life celebrated the completion of its art class for seniors, the first of more to come, and the newest concept sponsored by Performing Arts of Maitland. On Dec. 16 at the Maitland Art Center “Artist in Action” instructor Martha Lent and CAL Director Denese Richmond recognized their students with acclamation and praise. Over 40 pieces of their art were hung with care for them to share in a reception of honor.
Denese presented personalized certificates bearing an example image of the recipients’ artwork and was overjoyed with the success of this class. “I was blown away by the talent and camaraderie these ladies exhibited…That is the real reason for this program,” she said.
The displayed artwork ranged from seascapes to sunsets, from Christmas to abstract paintings. Media included painting, collage, screen printing and multi-media.
Class evaluation comments to “How do you feel you have benefited from this class?” included:
“Got me out of the house!”
“Ready to do more!”
“Enjoyable”
“It is great to be introduced to different ways of expressions”
“A bit more confident in my artist eye and an encouraging hobby.”
“I have tried things and found out what I like and what I do not like.”
“Food for my imagination for future projects”
“Opportunity to try different art modes and materials, interaction with other struggling senior artists!”
“I have learned many new techniques and mediums I hadn’t tried before this, I have some artwork that I am proud to share. There was no stress, no right or wrong in this class. I made some great new friends. Also we didn’t have to go out and search for the right supplies; we could show up and not be all stressed out before coming. I think it definitely helped with letting creativity loose.”
“In conclusion, students need confidence to feel creative…whatever it takes to encourage confidence should be considered”.
Starting with the 2017 Fall CAL session, Lucy Medford led art classes with instructors Marla E, Elizabeth St. Hilaire, Linda Saracino and Thomas Thorspecken at the Venue on the Lake.
“The Creative Arts for Life classes bring elder adults together in our community for the purpose of expression and interacting,” PAM Executive Director June Flowers said.
President and PAM founder Jeff Flowers is asking for funding to expand the success of this art program to build the sustainability of these offerings. “PAM is meeting a need in our community to provide meaningful art programs to seniors. They make up over 25 percent of our local population and represent the fastest growing demographic.”
Contact Lucy Medford for more information at 407-443-4240.