AFTA Party and Exhibition at The Swiss Residence

On November 13, under the gracious patronage of His Excellency Martin Dahinden and Mrs. Anita Dahinden, Arts for the Aging exhibited artwork inspired by The Phillips Collection exhibition, Ten Americans: After Paul Klee, and created by participants in AFTA workshops at five of the 31 community and residential care settings we serve: Alexandria Adult Day Services Center, Alexandria, VA; Arlington Adult Day Services Center, Arlington, VA; Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Center, Washington, D.C.; The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Adult Day Services Center/Easterseals of Silver Spring, MD; East County Community Center, Silver Spring, MD; Sacred Heart Home, Hyattsville, MD; Town Center - Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and Montgomery residence of Rockville, MD. AFTA's artistic faculty, along with older adult participants with works featured in the exhibition spoke from the heart about the joy of self-expression and new friendships made through AFTA programs. Karla Kombrink talked about the renewed sense of purpose that she never had before; how she looks forward to the arts participation we offer because it combats the loneliness many older adults feels as they become less agile or mobile in the aging process. Photos from the night can be found here.


Creative Aging Exhibition at The Phillips Collection

We marked another 30th anniversary milestone in 2018 with the mounting of a Creative Aging exhibition at the stunning Phillips Collection museum in Washington D.C. Works in the show highlight community partnerships that celebrate art and wellness. Art featured made by AFTA participants center around themes explored in the Phillips' 10 Americans: After Paul Klee show which we visited with older adult participants in our programs earlier this year. Visit the exhibition through December 31 by contacting Donna Jonte at [email protected]. View photos from opening night here.


September Sparks

Even in the most prosaic and impulsive ways that we may dance or sing, write, paint or act, it is self-expression that brings to light our most extraordinary selves. Arts for the Aging will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year--three decades combating isolation and spreading joy and better health to older adults, especially those living with aging-related health impairments. In welcoming autumn, we share with you this most recent newsletter and moments from a sparkling year to date. This fall, AFTA board members will host artful parties and salons featuring special guests, and to support our good works. To AFTA Gala-goers and newcomers alike, stay tuned. We are readying to launch anniversary and Gala celebrations next year. Partnerships are developing with the Embassy of Switzerland, and The Phillips Collection with its forthcoming Paul Klee exhibition in early 2018. Thank you, as ever, for your care, friendship and support of AFTA.  

Music-making for stress relief, Rockville Senior Center, for Age-Friendly Montgomery County's 7th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Website Debut of New AFTA Video

You're invited into the compelling world of Arts for the Aging, a place where AFTA's gifted and sensitive Teaching Artists facilitate all manner of arts programming for older adults, many of whom face memory and physical challenges, but whose lives are enriched by artistic self-expression and participation in the creative process.

https://vimeo.com/171624442

 

This video was made possible through a generous grant from The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, and with support -- and gorgeous production -- from Castle Gate Media.