The Arts and Older Adults

Mary Williamson

Dance

I’ve had the pleasure of working with older adults mainly through dance, performance and creative writing, however I have also collaborated with older adults in a workshop setting focused mainly on drawing/illustration. Through working with this age group I have discovered how to adapt my more physical performance/dance instruction when mobility is a main consideration. I am informed and transformed by the stories and experiences that emerge as well as the challenges that arise from working in dance and performance with older adult participants.

Sample workshop:

The Hope Chest workshop allows participants to chose how and what they would like to present and in what capacity.
Explore the process of various styles of performance/presentation by sharing meaningful stories, drawings, poems, movements, artifacts and artworks, etc., for presentation of personal and cultural history in a creative and social environment. No performance experience required. Participants will be asked to imagine offering a meaningful and symbolic talisman or object(s) to an ancestor, future relative, or to themselves by presenting their significance to fellow participants.

Materials:

note book, paper, pencils/pens, significant objects related to the workshop

Available for:

In-person workshops, On-line workshops

Language(s) of facilitation:

English

Contact: