SooVAC’s Senior Arts Programming

For two years, SooVAC and Walker Methodist Health Center have partnered to create high quality arts activities for their residents. The bi-monthly activities include a gallery tour and discussion at SooVAC, as well as artmaking activities at WMHC led by SooVAC’s teaching artists. WMHC does not have the means to provide these kinds of programs regularly to their residents. By partnering with SooVAC, the WMHC residents, the majority of whom are low-income, have the opportunity to connect to the arts in their very own community.

The art making activities and tours have been enjoyable and highly engaging for residents. We create opportunities to connect, socialize and share stories for the residents, staff and artists. The activities engender a sense of purpose, validation and accomplishment for everyone that participates. Participants proudly displayed their artwork in common spaces and their rooms long after the art making sessions.

"In my art making session, a resident seemed very unhappy at first. She was non-verbal, shaking her head and crossing her arms. Halfway into the project, where residents drew and collaged their own characters, she started smiling and laughing. By the end, she triumphantly showed her artwork to the group and left beaming. It was amazing to see the significant impact the activity had on her mood, and it felt really good to be a part of that."

                                -Christi Furnas, teaching artist

Unfortunately, this year SooVAC did not receive grant funding to support programming at Walker Methodist. Your donation will play a vital role in continuing this contemporary art partnership between SooVAC and Walker Methodist. Our monthly art making workshops are attended by an average of 20 residents, led by a teaching artist (past teaching artists include Anna Biedenbender, Tara Costello, Christi Furnas, Christopher Harrison, Alison Hiltner, Noah Harmon, Britt Omann and more) and 4-5 dedicated SooVAC volunteers.

"For me, the highlights of the art program at Walker Methodist, Is seeing these adults smile and glow and from ear to ear, while they’re creating something. The genuine satisfaction they have when their piece is complete, is beautiful. Not only is it great for them to continue making art, it’s also very social for all of them, and brings them out of their daily monotony. I don’t know who gets more joy from it, myself or the residents."

                                     -Lori Barbero, volunteer

"Over time I've seen how the Walker Methodist residents love this event. They look forward to it. They make request for future activities - "More glitter!" As a volunteer, I look forward to it too. It feels good to be a bright point in someone's day."

                                     -Jenni Undis, volunteer

There is more than one way to contribute! If you are interested in volunteering for this program or making in kind donations of supplies please contact carolyn@soovac.org.