Creative Aging - Painting with Wool

January, February 2024

A free 8 week program for older adults (65+) made possible by a Creative Aging grant issued by the Indiana Arts Commission.

Through the weeks our group learned to needlefelt and completed several small projects, along with their collaborative mural. I asked participants to consider their past, present, and future when creating their pieces for our larger project. The first circle references their personal past, then present, then future. Each participant created one or more narrative pieces to add to the collective puzzle seen here.

On the last week of class they shared about their work, and it was so emotional. These women shared some very personal stories and struggles, and the group ended with lots of tears but also laughs and I like to think some lifelong friendships.

So grateful to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at ISU and the Community School of the arts at ISU for the partnership that made this happen! What a great experience for each person, and me!!