The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) presents a special lecture on the topic of arts education programs for aging adults and people with Alzheimer’s disease on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 7 p.m.
The event, Creating An Artful Approach to Alzheimer’s and Successful Aging, will be held at VisArts at 1812 W. Main St., and features speakers Mary Ann Johnson, M.A., Program Director of the Alzheimer’s Association (Greater Richmond Chapter), and Sadie Rubin, M.S.S.W., L.S.W., Director of PALETTE, an intergenerational art education program in Richmond.
Mary Ann Johnson is a Master Trainer for dementia care for professionals and families. Through the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, she supervises programs and services offered to the community, and develops professional training programs. She is a presenter at state conferences for Virginia Activity Professionals and Conference for Blind and Vision Impaired, and she currently serves as Chairperson for the Virginia Caregiver Coalition. She serves on the advisory board for Stratford University, reviewing health-related programs, and also serves on the board of Aging with Grace, a faith-based organization that provides outreach on aging issues and support for older adults.
“A person living with a dementia disease often has difficulty with expressing himself. The use of art with this person, may give him an opportunity to express his thoughts, feelings and emotions through a medium that has no right or wrong,” says Johnson. “Art also provides a mental stimulation and the opportunity to be involved in social situations. All of these contribute to a person’s dignity and self-esteem.”
Sadie Rubin is the Director of the recently launched pilot program PALETTE: Programming, Art for Life Enrichment Through Transgenerational Engagement. While completing her master’s degree at Columbia University, she participated in Art Cart, a program that inspired her to explore the fields of arts and aging. She has worked with a variety of organizations within the field of aging, including the National Council on Aging, Isabella Geriatric Center, and the Methodist Home of DC.
“The lecture will explore the positive effects that participating in community arts programs has on one’s aging — and the symbiotic return that one’s aging has on artistic abilities,” says Rubin.
The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated.
RSVP to Jordan Roeder at jordanroeder@visarts.org or call 804.353.0094, ext. 252.
Learn more at visarts.org/artfulapproach.
