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Creative Aging Classes
Classes are free for ages 60+

Creative Aging Lunches, Tuesdays 12-1,
Suggested donation $3
Artful Connections - Memory Cafe, Chester
Tuesdays, 11 am-12 pm
First Thursdays  of the Month, January-June
Instructor Susan Rosano 
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In this engaging class, participants and caregivers will draw, paint, and create delightful artworks that express their unique personalities. This imaginative approach fosters communication and allows for self-expression without words, instilling a sense of accomplishment and independence. From  drawing charming hearts and houses to crafting beautiful paper flowers, the class offers a calming environment that alleviates anxiety and agitation. Through these enjoyable artistic experiences, participants stimulate their memory by using vibrant colors, textures, and familiar images.
Printmaking on Fabric with Embellishments -Main Street Arts 
Tuesdays, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, February 3–March 24 (No class March 3 or 10; make-up dates March 2 and March 13)
Instructor Annie Quest

Transform fabric with hand printed and embellished designs. In this workshop, you will learn lino cutting to carve a custom stamp out of linoleum. Then you will use your stamp to create a pattern onto fabric to create pillows, wall hangings or to decorate a favorite piece of clothing! Through embroidery and beading, you can combine color with pattern to further enhance and embellish the piece you’re working on.This class is perfect for beginners, or students who have experience in printmaking,embroidery and/or simple beading. It will be a great activity to engage with the creative side of your brain and connect with friends and neighbors. All of the materials you need for this class will be provided for you as part of your course experience, but you are more than welcome to bring your own equipment if you would rather use your own tools.

Max 8 Participants
 CLASS IS FULL
Senior Community Drum Circle - Main Street Arts 
1:30-2:30 pm
Last Wednesdays of the month: January 28, February 25, March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24
Instructor Tara Murphy

If you have a heartbeat, you can drum! For millennia, drumming has brought people together to create peace, health and wellness. The uplifting rhythms of Africa relieve stress and help people connect with each other, as well as their own joy. Tara Murphy leads creative movement and drum classes for seniors of all abilities, inspired by traditional West African dance and drumming. It is a great time to release energy, lift spirits, connect with others, have fun, and get healthy exercise. She encourages participants to jam out and express their rhythms creatively, first through chair-based movement and then through drumming. Participants will do simple rhythm exercises and then learn traditional rhythms on the dundun drums of Mali and Guinea, West Africa, and play together as an ensemble. The drum circle emphasizes community, self-expression and the joy of rhythm. Drums provided and no experience necessary.
Senior drum circle demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2voFc3HtjCg 
Native Themed Artwork - Main Street Arts 
1pm-2:30pm, Tuesdays, 8 Weeks, March 3-April 21
Instructor Linda Sheenan

In this 8 week class, students will receive an overview of numerous Abenaki art forms. Students will make their own beaded earrings from porcupine quills gathered and prepared by the teacher. Students will make dream catchers, wrappings, learn Native American beading techniques, and learn how to draw native animals on gourds.

Max 15 participants
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Harmony for Life- Group Singing - Bellows Falls Senior Center
Thursdays, 6 weeks, 10-11am, March 5-April 9, 12:15-1:15pm
Instructor Ashley Storrow

Everyone has a voice, and it's never too late to get to know yours! In this class, students will learn about the instrument of their voice, sing songs they know and love, learn new songs, and select their favorite songs to perform at the final culminating event. Participation in the final event is optional! Most importantly, this class’s focus is having fun and building connections. The first sessions will focus on songs from the 60’s and 70’s, and the later sessions will focus on songs of resistance and hope. Songs will feature easy rounds and simple harmonies. During the last two sessions, students pick their favorite songs and fine tune them to feel confident and proud of what they’ve created. Students are welcome to bring in songs for the group to try. This class is perfect for beginner singers.

Making Books and Natural Pigments:  An Exploration of Bookbinding and Watercolor and Ink Making - Bellows Falls Senior Center 
10am-12pm, Thursdays, 8 weeks, April 2-May 21
Instructor Amber Paris

In this 8 week class, we will create a hand-bound watercolor sketchbook and explore creating our own watercolor and ink pigments from mineral, botanical and up-cycled sources- which will result in a wonderful palette of color. 

Max 12 participants
Cyanotype and Storytelling - Bellows Falls Senior Center 
1pm-2:30pm, Tuesdays, 7 weeks, April 21-June 2
Instructor Evie Lovett

​Storytelling is a way to give voice to significant and nuanced parts of our lives. Deep listening can enable us to get out of our own way and to encourage the stories of others. Yet the idea of sharing stories makes many of us run in the opposite direction. The goal of this class is to approach storytelling through the art-making process, specifically cyanotype photography.  Each day we will respond to a prompt, using the options of making cyanotypes, writing, or storysharing. Those of us who are most comfortable with art-making can model those skills. Those of us more comfortable with oral storytelling might engage others in deep listening and sharing. Those of us for whom writing is our preferred means of expression may focus on words. Throughout the course of 8 weeks we will develop and share personal narratives in the medium that is most comfortable for us; and have the opportunity to explore and combine new mediums that may initially feel challenging. We will work together to weave a visual narrative of individuals and community.

This in-person learning opportunity emphasizes community-building and artistic skill-building in a relaxed, supportive community of learners. Participants will learn diverse methods of story-gathering and cyanotype-making in a community setting, with an emphasis on relaxed time to create. The workshop aims to build a community where creative exploration is possible and where students can explore at their level with support and without judgment. Each workshop day will begin with a group exercise aimed at welcoming individuals where they are, and an accessible movement or breathing exercise to support overall wellbeing.  No experience necessary. All invited. All supplies provided.

Max 12 participants
“For millennia, we have passed on knowledge through story and song…Our brains are organized by narrative and image.” Gloria Steinem, My Life