Creative Aging Workshop celebrates life stories through artistic expression

Creative Aging Workshop celebrates life stories through artistic expression
By Collette Hayes

Creative expression experiences for those growing older provide opportunities to improve overall health and enhance quality of life. “Liberating our Stories,” an intensive, eight-session Creative Aging Workshop, welcomed eight women aged 55-plus to reflect on and to share components of their identities and translate them into powerful symbolic works of art about life’s journey.

 The workshop is funded by a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Holladay Arts Council Executive Director Sheryl Gillilan and trained artist Kandace Steadman brainstormed ideas for a workshop with the emphasis on creative aging. Receiving one of the Division’s grants, the Arts Council launched its first Creative Aging Workshop in April 2022 titled “Life Mandalas.” Through a series of writing activities and art experiences, participants created mandala symbols to cultivate inner awareness and to explore one’s place and purpose in the world. 

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