The residents at River Ridge Seniors Community know what it’s like to get creative with their free time and learn how to express themselves.
They have Reno Guimond to show them the way. Working at the assisted living facility as the Creative Expressions co-ordinator, he gets to show them that aging doesn’t have to keep you from bursting into song or working on a still-life painting. Even if they have never picked up a brush in their lives, he says it doesn’t matter.
“A lot of them say, I’ve never done it before or I can’t,” he explained. “With the experience of growing older comes something better, not worse, than before.”
The philosophy is about gentle guidance and just giving the participants the time and the space. There’s a special room in the building just for this purpose. There is no pressure to make a masterpiece. According to Guimond, just being able to learn some techniques is enough for many people to feel accomplished.
“It’s not an art class; it’s a process.”
With the help of experienced community artists like Iris Duchscher to facilitate the sessions, he says artistic practice has many benefits. It’s one of the greatest gifts that you can give yourself, he says.
“This process helps them connect with something inside themselves.”
Along with the visual arts, there are opportunities to participate in musical jam sessions that explore the Great American Songbook with Guimond or even music appreciation with an accredited music therapist. There are also driving tours and storytelling sessions, an activity that Guimond calls “the narrative arts.” Being able to tell stories is another way of enriching your own life by sharing it with others. There are also fitness sessions and walking clubs to get them going.
Starting on June 16 the art studio sessions focus on the ancient Japanese art of rozome and painting on silk.
Although Creative Expressions is a signature attraction for the facility owned and operated by Calgary’s United Active Living, the activities are open to non-residents for a $5 charge.
River Ridge Seniors Community is located at 78C McKenney Avenue. To learn more about the programs and schedules, call 780-470-3700 or visit www.riverridgeseniors.ca.
