From Apprehension to Enthusiasm

Our initial project had seven participants but generated enough interest and general "buzz" that our second project has had twelve.  Each project we've done has taken part in weekly steps beginning with a slide presentation showing artworks and methods and a short discussion about the history of the pieces being reflected upon. Conversation is always interesting and happens spontaneously without much effort on my part although I will bounce off of comments to introduce new information.  At this initial meeting I also include a sample of what we will be working to create as well as samples of the tools we will use.  If there is time, we get to work. 

This second project involved a simple printmaking technique which we stretched into two separate artworks.  Working with the residents can be a very individualized procedure since you are working with people from a broad variety of backgrounds and with a wide variety of abilities and limitations.  We've worked to keep it light and keep it fun (these residents and myself have been very fortunate to have an energetic, happy and positive activity director to work with) by improvising, staying flexible and providing plenty of encouragement.  What I've found with working with any age of adults in a museum education type setting is that they tend to be self-conscious with the belief that art is only for accomplished artists and the naturally talented.  Adults also feel that if they do something they need to do it well, whereas children, being novices at most things, just jump in and go for it enjoying the process as an adventure.  The feeling of doing for the sake of doing, "it's the journey and not the destination", is the atmosphere and attitude I have tried to instill and nurture.  Most of what we have done has had aspects of experimentation with an open and acknowledged attitude of "let's see what happens and let's see where it takes us."  This seems to release everyone from preconceived ideas or notions of  artistic perfection.  There is no right and there is no wrong, it is all an intentional experiment to learn and grow from, have fun with, and share with each other.

 The people who created these prints have a wide-range of varying abilities including near blindness, stages of dementia, very limited use of their hands, and conditions such as Parkinson's.  Each person was allowed and encouraged to do as much as they could.  However, it was often a challenge for "helpers" to do this, as they naturally wanted to over accommodate and "do for" residents.  Conversely, residents have been acclimated to an environment where they are submissive and daily activities have been taken over for them, often for the sake of getting things done efficiently and quickly rather than out of necessity.  Part of the benefit of art in a facility like this is to give back some of the control to residents and to let them rebuild a feeling of self-sufficiency and self-esteem through a sense of self-guided accomplishment.  What has been exciting and encouraging for me to see is the increase in enthusiasm.  When the summer first started out, I would have to search residents out and bring them to the activity room.  Now, they eagerly come and search out the next art project!