Older Adults

Through lecture, demonstration, and practice, older adults learn strategies for safely implementing a physical activity program, techniques for stress reduction, and understanding key healthy aging concepts to maintain and improve overall health and well-being.

Lecture, discussion, and practice to learn about the mind/body connection using such techniques as a Qigong warmup, accessible/chair yoga, and the moving meditation practice of T'ai Chi Chih: 19 Movements and One Pose.

The course is for older adults who are interested in learning to make art in a relaxed, non-credit environment. This course develops formal artistic skills and techniques through drawing and painting for beginning to advanced students. Individual and group instruction includes composition, color mixing, perspective, proper use of brushes and mediums, working with paper and canvas.

The course is for older adults who are interested in learning to make various arts and crafts projects in a relaxed, non-academic environment. This course develops formal artistic skills such as color, composition, form, harmony, texture, and contrast through physical and tactile skills such as painting, weaving, and sculpture. Completed projects are two or three-dimensional using a variety of materials and mediums.

The course is for older adults who are interested in learning to make art in a relaxed, non-credit environment. The studio class is in drawing the human figure from a life model. Media used includes pencil, charcoal, ink, and varieties of paint such as watercolor, acrylic, and oil. All skill levels are welcome.

The course is for older adults who are interested in learning about music in a relaxed, non-credit environment. Study of and familiarization with the music of the world today. Introduction to various genres of music including western classical, jazz, folk, and music of other cultures. Other genres may include symphonies, concertos, operas, chamber, oratorio, ballet, or choral music.

The course is for older adults who are interested in stitchery as an art form, share experiences with fellow enthusiasts, and collaborate in group projects in a relaxed, non-credit environment. Hands-on course. Skills related to stitchery and textile arts include patchwork, quilting, applique, trapunto, and embroidery stitches. Small projects to learn basic techniques for beginning students and individual or group projects for advanced students.

In a supportive studio atmosphere, older students learn and gain proficiency in making ceramic art with basic methods of construction, glaze application and kiln-firing processes; sharing their work and critiquing that of their peers.

In a supportive studio atmosphere at a senior center, older students with memory loss will learn a variety of methods and use different media to make art in a supportive environment.

In a supportive atmosphere, older students will learn and gain proficiency in writing fiction and non-fiction, assess work by masters of the craft, share their work and critique that of their peers.

The course is for older adults who are interested in reading literary works by women in a relaxed, non-credit environment. Study of works by and about women, including novels, short stories, essays, biography, and poetry. Development of reading and critical thinking skills aimed at supporting the cognitive skills and brain capacity of older adults. Each semester focuses on a different theme with American or international authors.