Retirement and aging can and should be more than sitting at a window watching the world go by. Elderly adults greatly benefit from exercising their creativity.
In fact, some therapists use creative arts as an integral part of their sessions with elderly patients, because they have found that creative arts expression for seniors combats loneliness, depression and actually improves their overall physical health.
In an effort to make sure our local seniors don't feel isolated throughout the pandemic, Brooklyn Public Library has taken its Creative Aging series online, offering two workshops this summer:
Create a Memory Book with Photos and Life Stories
Teaching Artist: Linnea Guerin
Dates: Wednesdays 1 to 2 p.m. from June 10 through August 12
Participants will create a collection of their life stories and family photos with Vita Story Club. Every week, the class will gather on Zoom to share photos and the stories behind them. Along the way, participants will be able to preserve the photos in a personal memory book to keep or share as a gift. All sessions will be held on Zoom. Class size is limited; RSVP here.
Reflect and Restore Through Writing
Teaching Artist: Susan Buttenwieser
Dates: Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m. from June 17 through August 19
Experiences, feelings, thoughts and struggles are part of every individual's story. Writing one's own unique story can be a release, or just a way to pass on history to the next generation. In this workshop, participants will learn techniques for finding their own voice and sharing their ideas in writing. Registration is required.
For more information about Creative Aging, please call Judith Vigo at 718.230.2442, or email: seniors@bklynlibrary.org