I was going through my posts and realized that I have not done a blog posting on my connection with the National Centre for Creative Aging. The National Center for Creative Aging is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging, and to developing programs that build upon this understanding. 
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​In London, Kathy Smith is the first Creative Age ambassador and from what I can see, she is the first in Canada. I achieved my accreditation this past Sept. and look forward to working in the community to foster creative endeavours for seniors. Since last spring, I have been fortunate enough to go to senior's homes and teach painting classes. I look forward to growing in my participating of helping, not only seniors, but adults as well on learning how to paint and draw. I have started this by offering classes through my studio. I have some Learn to Paint classes which are running but I plan to add half and full day seminars as time goes on. This is my focus for many years into the future. I am so fortunate to have a studio where I can not only teach but create my art. 

Some people have the opportunity at a very young age to be able to play with arts and crafts. Others are told that it isn't important and it won't get them anywhere. Fortunate are the ones who are allowed to explore in their creativity. Science is showing that it helps with the mind, especially for those getting older, and that synapses can still be created in a brain later in life. 

There are those who aren't allowed to play with creativity at a young age and that when they are older, have such a yearning that they follow their heart. I have many fine art friends who create beautiful work and took up their art in adulthood and are successful. 

Others have worked in their office jobs all their life and once retired, have decided to start exploring their creativity.
Everyone has their journey. As a person who was given all the latitude to explore my creativity growing up, I want everyone to have what I have which is an opportunity to explore their own creativity.

I have started a Learn to Paint for non painters and the feedback has been amazing. The people who sign up are brave in that they are giving themselves permission to enter into something that they have no knowledge of. When they leave, I see the spark of excitement of learning more. 

I am a member of Creative Age, a group focused on creativity in senior years. My mandate is to be teaching for the next 20 years from my studio and at various locations. I taught design at Fanshawe for 10 years and am a graduate of BealArt and Fanshawe Design. I have a passion for teaching and I task anyone reading this post to consider their interest in the creative arts. I specialize in drawing and painting but there is also dance, yoga, theater and other art forms to choose from. 

There are so many psychological/physiological reasons why creativity is helpful to the aging person that only help with their quality of life.

Pick one that excites you. Pick a bunch, much like a buffet and see which one keeps your interest.