Every Tuesday, residents at Brightview on New Canaan can participate in the community’s art therapy class. The classes generally begin with an educational presentation and discussion about an artist or artistic movement. Then, residents get busy creating their masterpieces! At the end of September, residents and families gathered to admire the class’ creations at the Resident Art Show.
Sara O’Connor teaches the weekly classes. After meeting an art therapist at another senior living community, Sara became interested in the field and attended graduate school at Albertus Magnus College. Through her education and experience, she has learned how important it is for seniors to participate in art classes.
“Art is interactive, social, and can bring back memories of the past,” Sara said. “Most people have art in their lives at some point.”
Seeing the progress each resident makes in their art journey is very rewarding for Sara.
“It’s great when they let down their guard to try something new,” she said. “I have had some residents that have never created art before making beautiful masterpieces. I also love when residents encourage each other in their art. It shows that they are really enjoying it.”
We also interviewed a few artists featured in the Resident Art Show – check out their answers below!
Thelma “Teddy” Koch
Q: How long have you lived at Brightview?
Teddy: I moved to Brightview in August, so I have just lived here for a few weeks.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your art experience prior to coming to the community? Have you always been interested in art, or is it a new interest you’ve picked up?
Teddy: I have been doing art and painting my entire adult life.
Q: What brings you back to the art therapy class week after week?
Teddy: I am happy to have the opportunity and encouragement to paint again.
Q: What is something new you’ve learned by attending the art classes?
Teddy: I have learned that I am still able to paint. Before attending the art classes, I wasn’t sure if I would ever paint again.
Q: What is your favorite subject to paint?
Teddy: I especially love to use watercolors to paint flowers and fruit.
Q: How does it feel to see your pieces displayed in the exhibit?
Teddy: It feels great to have my painting displayed in today’s exhibit. I feel encouraged to continue painting.
Vincent Farley
Q: How long have you lived at Brightview?
Vincent: Since May 6, 2021
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your art experience prior to coming to the community? Have you always been interested in art, or is it a new interest you’ve picked up?
Vincent: I’ve never been interested in doing art. I just like viewing art. I didn’t think I had much talent.
Q: What brings you back to the art therapy class week after week?
Vincent: I feel encouraged by Sara, our art therapy teacher.
Q: What is something new you’ve learned by attending the art classes?
Vincent: I learned that getting older can have an element of adventure.
Q: What is your favorite subject to paint?
Vincent: Birds
Q: How does it feel to see your pieces displayed in the exhibit?
Vincent: I was very pleasantly surprised. I’m glad I attended the art classes and art appreciation show.
Marie Uhrich
Q: How long have you lived at Brightview?
Marie: I’ve lived here for five years.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your art experience prior to coming to the community? Have you always been interested in art, or is it a new interest you’ve picked up?
Marie: No experience! This is all new to me.
Q: What brings you back to the art therapy class week after week?
Marie: I really enjoy it. Art is my favorite thing I do here at Brightview.
Q: What is something new you’ve learned by attending the art classes?
Marie: Everything
Q: What is your favorite subject to paint?
Marie: Hard to say. I think scenery is my favorite. I find it to be the easiest.
Q: How does it feel to see your pieces displayed in the exhibit?
Marie: Very good.
Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village®, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Schedule a personal visit to experience our communities firsthand.
