Funder: New Horizons For Seniors
Dates: April 2025 – April 2026
About the Project
Life transitions happen naturally as we move from childhood to late adulthood, and yet they can also be unsettling. Adolescence and retirement are two examples of challenging transitions. Unexpected events, such as chronic illness, and changing physical and mental abilities can initiate shifts in values and lead to dramatic changes in lifestyle. Even smooth transitions can feel challenging.
Among the things that help people navigate transitions are social inclusion (feeling connected to friends, family and community); feeling useful and productive; and engaging in creative activities. With this in mind, OV-CAOS is hosting a series of intergenerational workshops in 2 rural Ottawa Valley communities to explore life transitions through artmaking and dialogue. Each series will include a series of workshops culminating in a special showcase.
The workshops will use materials such as painted paper, scraps from old books, fabric, wood, tin, wire, screws, and various natural materials to create mixed media collages and found art sculptures. Mixed media collage and found art assemblage are symbolically associated with working through changes, reworking the pieces of our lives, seeing new possibilities, and visioning new perspectives.
Credits
Ottawa Valley Community Arts Artistic Director: Anya Gansterer; Artist Facilitator: Linda Archibald