DECEMBER 11, 2015: Dream Ship exhibition opening reception

 

Arts for the Aging ‘s exhibition of multi-media works created in classes taught by AFTA’s artistic faculty with frail and vulnerable older adults in the D.C. metro region opened on Friday evening, December 11, with a well-attended reception.  Curated by Jarvis DuBois, the exhibition is runs through January 6, 2016 at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Photos from the Opening Reception may be viewed here. Support for this exhibition was made possible by the Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation of Washington D.C. and the Philip L. Graham Fund.

Dream Ship image, above center: a sculpture by Judith in AFTA workshops with teaching artist Carol Siegel at Alexandria Adult Day Services Center.


Fall Program News

We’re sad to see the summer go but excited about new opportunities fall brings!  Our summer kicked off with the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) National Leadership Exchange and Conference, which featured performances by our senior dance company Quicksilver and the Silver Singers from the Terrific, Inc. Asian and Pacific Islander Senior Center.  Now as the weather chills we anticipate our annual Gala, a workshop for professional caregivers, and two exhibitions! Read our most recent program newsletter to catch up.


News of AFTA Founder Lolo Sarnoff

We have some sad news to share: the founder of Arts for the Aging, Lolo Sarnoff, passed away on Sunday, November 9.  She was 98.

On our director’s  last visit with Lolo they had tea on a breezy afternoon.  She was so peaceful and glad to hear of Arts for the Aging’s progress and good works.  In particular, she was really taken by the number of supporters listed in our annual report. It made her very happy that we have carried on so well.

Lolo had a lilting and practical way of talking about becoming an “angel” some day. We will miss her, but now she has her wings!


Lolo Sarnoff
LOLO SARNOFF (1916-2014). PHOTO BY STEPHANIE WILLIAMS.

In Memoriam

A burial and memorial service will be held at a later date in Vermont, Lolo’s beloved second home where she spent many summers.  Arts for the Aging will be in touch about plans here in the D.C. area to celebrate her life.  The obituary in the Washington Post is available here.

Lolo’s final wishes indicate that she would be happy if memorial donations were made to AFTA.  We are honored to accept them as we continue to keep her vision alive and growing: Arts for the Aging is at 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852.  Online donations can be made through our website by clicking here.  You can also call us at 301-255-0103.

 


What does this mean for AFTA?

We have been preparing for this moment ever since Lolo retired in 2010. Not only did our board institute a succession plan, but we have grown our support base, expanded our program’s reach, strengthened our impact, and we are training others in our best practices. Arts for the Aging has a healthy mix of income sources from foundation, corporate and government grants, from more than 400 individual donors, and through community partnerships. The board, our teaching artists, our staff and volunteers all remain committed to strengthening the future of AFTA and the growing population of older adults who need our arts engagement services most. More about our accomplishments and plans are in our Annual Report, and in this viewbook about our workshops.


AFTA Makes Front Page News

The Beacon, a monthly paper for people over the age of 50 in the Greater Washington area, has just published this profile of Arts for the Aging titled “Art and music erase limitations” in its October issue.

The article’s author Barbara Ruben visited a workshop with AFTA Teaching Artist Anthony Hyatt at The Kensington Club @ Parklawn while researching the story.  We had a delightful time!

DSC_0124
A VOICE AND FIDDLE DUET

Did you read The Beacon’s article on AFTA?  What did you think?