Seniors shutterbugs share new skills at exhibition at Arcadia Park July 22
The non-profit, Theatre Of Hearts’ newest initiative and its first for seniors called, Creative Aging Artist in Residence (CAAIR) will exhibit next week. Seniors at Arcadia Park are presenting their original photographic works resulting from a 12-week class with a professional photographic artist.
Founded in 1987, it is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation whose vision is to promote understanding between people through cultural and artistic forums, and to empower local communities through education in the arts. More information is available at www.theatreofhearts.org
“This population we are serving has no prior experience in fine art photography and lack the resources to take a class of this nature,” says Theatre Of Hearts Director and Founder, Sheila Scott-Wilkinson. “By providing CAAIR class for free, these baby boomers are not only learning the ways digital cameras, technology and social media function, they are also seeing the world through the eyes of an artist.”
In addition to improvements in memory and cognitive ability, feedback from program participants on the social benefits is a powerful testimony to the impact the program is providing:
“I am a senior revisiting what I did as a youth,” says Debbie Prohias, an Arcadia County Park participant. “Technology has mushroomed from what we had before. I can’t wait for the next class; there is so much to learn. It has opened up a great vista, it is another way to express myself. People should take this class because of the ability to socialize. When I walk down the street, I can open up a conversation and meet people. It’s an artistic thing”.
Arcadia Park Community Center
405 S Santa Anita Ave Arcadia
Tuesday July 22, 10-12