Art Benefits the Lives of Seniors
[EAGLE RIVER, WI] – Art Benefits the Lives of Seniors
“I just love this group so much,” said Mary Schultz. “It’s become like family.” Research has shown participating in the arts improves senior citizens quality of life and well-being. The Warehouse Community Arts Center in downtown Eagle River hosts a free watercolor group that meets on Tuesdays from 10:30am-noon. Led by volunteer Steve Opfer, Watercolor Group is open and welcome to anyone, with no registration required. A weekly theme is selected with multiple reference photos, and everyone paints while chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Many seniors participate in this free weekly art group.
“I love seeing what everyone creates and how supportive everyone is of each other,” Schultz said. Many retirees have joined the Watercolor Group without any prior experience, but have found a love of both the watercolor medium and the community that is created. Making art with others has proven to increase self-esteem, motivation, and social connection. “We’ve had numerous folks tell us how they retired to the Northwoods and were having a tough time making friends until they joined a group or class at the Warehouse,” said Warehouse director Kim Adamovich. She laughs, “Come for the people and stay for the art.”
It’s been proven that engaging in the creative arts gives older adults a better quality of life. And having these social connections through the arts reduces isolation and depression. “Most of the artists in Watercolor Group are senior citizens,” says Mary Jerde. “So we all are now, or will someday be, facing serious life challenges. I’ve heard conversations ranging from just needing a time-out away from their spouse to the more dreadful issues of health, family, finances, and loss not just for themselves, but for everyone they love. These artists especially need time spent amongst a supportive cohort that is non-judgemental, empathetic, and experienced in life’s challenges that is willing to promote community resources, offer ideas that may be helpful, and HUGS, HUGS, HUGS as needed.”
Researchers are examining how participating in arts activities may be linked to improving cognitive function and memory, and studying how the arts can be used to reduce behavioral symptoms of dementia, as well as promoting social interaction, which has multiple psychosocial benefits. “I don’t know who enjoys the class more; me or my husband. He knows how much I needed this,” said Mary George. “Working towards creating something beautiful soothes the soul, calms the mind and offers a temporary escape from the outside world—sounds like good medicine to me.”
It’s not just the Watercolor Group promoting camaraderie. The Warehouse Community Arts Center also has free music groups that bring seniors together and provide artistic opportunities. A string orchestra group meets seasonally on Tuesday evenings, and the Northwoods Ukers meet every Friday afternoon at 1:30. The Ukers are a fun-loving group of mostly seniors, and they play and sing a variety of tunes, from Tin Pan Alley to rock ‘n roll to country. They are always welcoming new members, and will teach ukulele to those that need it. There are even a few that come just to sing along and enjoy the company. When people take the risk of making art with others, it’s therapeutic and allows community-building to happen quickly and powerfully.
Participating in the arts can improve a person’s sense of happiness through creative engagement. “Some people just need a creative outlet for expression, feeling whole and getting those creative juices flowing. Since coming to class, I have been able to find my happy place. Everyone is very kind and supportive. It truly doesn’t matter what abilities you have, it’s just a fun place to come and relax,” said Jerde. The Warehouse offers a variety, including ceramics, painting, stained glass, wood carving, yoga, journaling, and more. Taking classes can form better cognitive function, memory, and self-esteem, reducing stress and increasing social interaction.
Kathy Schuh retired three years ago, and after running many businesses over the years, didn’t know what to do with her time. She took a wheel throwing pottery class at the Warehouse and was immediately hooked. “There haven’t been too many days in the last three years where my hands didn’t have clay on them,” she said. She started as a relative beginner and now, three years later, is an Open Studio monitor and teaching at the art center. “I love to share what I have learned with other beginners. To see them smile when they advanced a skill is heartwarming; we seem to become very good friends playing in the mud.” There are quick, single day ceramic classes offered, as well longer, multi-week pottery classes as well. And through the Northwoods Veterans Center, veterans can take free classes at the Warehouse.
Unfortunately, not all seniors are able to come to the Warehouse because of mobility issues. However, the art center has a program sponsored by the Northwoods United Way called TimeSlips to fill this need. Johanna Buwalda, a ceramic artist and teacher at the Warehouse, hits the road and visits two local nursing homes once a month to bring art to them. Buwalda, who was also a trauma and war therapist for 30 years, provides photography pieces and leads the groups through a series of artistic expressions..writing stories and drawing. “It’s a really beautiful way for these seniors to be creative and express themselves. Some stories are sweet and happy, others might be sad, or some totally made up and funny,” she said. It provides opportunities for artistic expression celebrating imagination rather than memory.
Senior citizens benefit from having the arts in their lives, and members of the Northwoods community are encouraged to check out the Warehouse Community Arts Center in Eagle River.The Warehouse includes a ceramic studio, an art classroom, a full bar with gallery, and a community room. A patio with alley access to public parking are open during the snowless months. It is located downtown Eagle River at 107 S. Railroad St. The Warehouse Community Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization and serves as Eagle River’s artistic hub, providing quality education, programming, and events that explore all aspects of creativity for all ages. We believe that access to the arts improves the quality of life of each individual who lives and plays here while also helping contribute to the economic vitality of our community.
