Older adults have their own hubs for creativity through popular local programs and workshops
Participants are on a mission to create at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo Credit Lindsay Ralph
Welcome to the Ottawa Art Gallery.
“Not only can you enjoy the beauty of our collections and artwork, but you can also create your own,” says Véronique Couillard, officer, media, public and francophone relations. The gallery offers several programs geared to adults and seniors.
A popular activity is Sketchy Thursdays, which takes place on the last Thursday of every month. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to learn sketching techniques from one of the gallery’s educators, plus it’s pay-what-you-wish, making it accessible to all. The materials are provided, but Couillard recommends pre-registering, as space is limited. “Another of our popular activities is Creative Sundays,” says Couillard. “It’s great for families and we often have grandparents participating with their grandchildren. You get to explore your creativity, and a gallery educator will explain the current exhibit. And best of all, it’s free for all ages.”
The gallery recently began offering birthday parties for adults, with the package including a guided tour of the gallery. Partygoers and guests then get to unleash their creativity in the OAG studio and take home a memorable keepsake — a piece of art.
Exhibitions starting this April and the on-going Firestone Collection are must-sees.
“Add beauty to your life by visiting the OAG,” says Couillard. “Enjoy a coffee in the Jackson Café, take home a piece of art from our gift shop made by a local artisan or take classes and create your own beautiful piece of art.”
Adults age 55 and older and adults with physical disabilities who have interest in creating something beautiful while enjoying companionship can head to the volunteer-led Craft Studio at The Good Companions.
Art happens at The Good Companions. Photo Credit Linda Janes-Peddle
“We have every type of art and creativity you can imagine,” says Craft Studio coordinator Linda Janes-Peddle. “There are stained glass classes, crocheting, cross-stitch, quilting and painting to name a few.”
There are 15 programs divided into three categories — charity, expressive/creative arts and production volunteer. “A member of The Good Companions is usually a production volunteer,” says Janes-Peddle, who aims to create items to sell.
“Our expressive/creative arts are for more advanced stained glass, painting and quilting classes and our charity section creates items to give away.”
The charity section has made by hand and given away 3,961 items — “Izzy dolls for peacekeepers, milk bag mats, chemo-caps, crochet birds’ nests for the Wild Bird Care Centre, sensory touch quilts for the Dementia Society, slippers for the homeless and more,” says Janes-Peddle. “These are all much appreciated by those that receive them.” Most of the materials that are used in the studio are donated, including the glass used for stained glass. “The amazing thing is to see how talented our volunteers are,” says Janes-Peddle. “Many are multi-talented and doing more than one program. And the fees are so reasonable for anyone to join and learn.” She describes the Christmas Craft sale as “incredible. Everyone takes tremendous pride in the work they do,” says Janes-Peddle. “They love creating beautiful things and they get to enjoy the beauty of companionship which is what The Good Companions is all about.”
Ottawa-based humour educator, Lawrence Marks, understands how important humour and laughter are in people’s day-to-day lives and especially what benefits they have for the mature crowd.
“There’s nothing better for the mind and body than a good joke and heartfelt laughter,” says Marks. “It’s the healthiest, stress-free exercise you can get. It brings joy and laughter can be infectious.”
Marks offers workshops for seniors on humour, working with participants to connect with their playful side, putting their imaginations and verbal skills to the test, and in the process, reap the full mental and physical benefits of humour and laughter.
Lawrence Marks. Photo Courtesy Lawrence Marks
He believes humour is especially important for seniors. “Plenty of studies have looked at humour as it relates to aging and health,” says Marks. “The old adage that ‘laughter is the best medicine’ can be backed up by scientific evidence.”
Studies have shown that regular exposure to humour and laughter can improve mental and physical health, while helping to combat geriatric conditions including depression, stress and isolation, he continues.
“Our sense of humour never leaves and can even improve as we age,” Marks says. “Sometimes we just have to give it a boost, since everyone possesses the basic skills needed to make others laugh: a playful attitude towards language and the world and a bit of imagination.”
In his workshops, Marks asks participants to come up with a funny caption for a cartoon, produce one-liners based on classic examples or just practice joke telling. Every joke has some underlying mechanism, and once a person understands it, it gets easier to appreciate them and produce their own – and have a lot of fun in the process, he says.
Marks says having the ability to laugh at oneself also gives confidence and being able to laugh at absurdities is critical to the relationship with the world.
“The beauty of humour is not only that it makes you feel good and puts a smile on people’s faces,” says Marks, “but it helps put things into perspective and [lets you] think differently about the world.”
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Useful websites
oaggao.ca/learn/activities-and-public-programs/kids-and-family-programs/birthdays/
oaggao.ca/whats-on/exhibitions/visions-and-views
thegoodcompanions.ca/programs-services/crafts/
mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/the-health-benefits-of-humor/