Kawartha Art Gallery launches “Seniors for Seniors” program to inspire connection through creativity
Kawartha Art Gallery is proud to announce the launch of Seniors for Seniors, an innovative new outreach program designed by seniors for seniors. This sensory-based visual arts initiative brings practicing senior artists into long-term care homes, delivering engaging and inclusive workshops that foster creativity, connection, and well-being among participants. The program is designed to promote social participation, reduce isolation, and strengthen community ties through shared creative expression. In addition to supporting residents, the program also follows government mandates to hire senior artists, keeping them busy and productive.
With the support of the municipality, the pilot phase of Seniors for Seniors is currently underway at Victoria Manor in Lindsay, where groups of four to six residents are taking part in art-making sessions in a calm and positive environment. The program has been warmly received. Participants are enjoying the hands-on activities and the opportunity to socialize. Their completed artworks are also sparking conversation and interaction among other residents, visiting family members, and staff. The gallery aims to expand the program, with the long-term goal of making this a permanent part of its community outreach programming.
“Programs like Seniors for Seniors are a testament to the power of creativity at every stage of life,” says RoseMarie Condon, project supervisor at Kawartha Art Gallery in a press release. “It’s a joy to see how art opens doors for connection and self-expression.”
Rachel Edmondson, life enrichment supervisor with Kawartha Lakes, adds, “This kind of meaningful engagement is exactly what we strive for in our long-term care communities. It enhances well-being and plays a role in positive outcomes, including our preparation for upcoming accreditation at Victoria Manor.”
With senior artists like Condon and her assistant, Elayne Windsor, leading the workshops, Seniors for Seniors brings authentic peer-to-peer engagement that resonates deeply with participants. Kawartha Art Gallery is proud to collaborate with Kawartha Lakes on this important initiative and looks forward to expanding its reach, one brushstroke at a time.
This looks like a fun crafts project that will be good for the Manor accreditation as well as for the KAG, the project facilitators and the LTC residents at the Manor. I wish all involved great success. Kawartha Lakes has one of the largest populations of seniors in Ontario but that is almost never celebrated as an asset. Instead, the narrative almost always focuses on how we can make our community young again. IMO, Kawartha Lakes could benefit from investing resources in developing the knowledge of elders in our community, of partnering with them in developing innovative visions for the future. You don’t naturally lose your IQ or your knowledge as you age and the belief that only young people can do math or code is a prejudice. Many retire to KL in their fifties with great ideas, experience and knowledge they are keen to develop into a new career or side hustle and it would benefit us all a great deal to encourage them.