Creative Arts
The array of opportunities to enrich your life through the creative arts is mind-boggling. The list includes acting; beading; throwing pottery; dancing; drawing; glass blowing; writing literature and poetry; fashioning metalwork; playing and writing music; painting; making sculpture; printmaking; creating textiles using embroidery, knitting, needlecraft, or weaving; woodworking; and much more.
It is never too late for you to pursue artistic endeavors. Consider just a few renowned older artists: Grandma Moses; Louise Nevelson; Picasso; Arthur Rubenstein; Vladmir Horowitz; and Verdi, who completed his opera Falstaff at 83 years of age. Then think about Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, May Sarton, Eve Merriam, Studs Turkel, Charles Schulz, Katharine Hepburn and Pete Seeger. The list of older artists is endless. The Ageless Spirit, Connie Goldman’s inspiring book, recounts just a few of their lives.
Perhaps you will find in the arts the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that you once believed you could glean only from your career or your family. Whatever the opportunity, do not allow finances to hold you back. You will find that scholarship funds are often available. Be sure to ask!
If you are not inclined to creative work yourself, you can benefit from the creative work of others. Every community has access to performing and visual arts that can buoy your spirit and connect you to others.
MNCAAN: Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network is a great place to start. The organization is a VAN Venture. Check the organization’s Resources & Links page for other ideas and places to find help.
Go ahead; get started. You have nothing to lose.
Page Author: Carol Daly
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