Opening Minds Through Art

Opening Minds Through Art

Opening Minds through Art … and intergenerational interactions

Opening Minds through Art … and intergenerational interactions

, , Frances Yates, outreach, Programs
Happy Times #4, Margaret A. May is a good time to celebrate Spring (no matter how delayed or sporadic!) and also to celebrate Older Americans.  The 2019 theme for Older Americans Month is “Connect, Create, Contribute” and it encourages older adults and their communities to: Connect with friends, family, and services that support participation. Create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment. Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others. Happy Birthday to Me, Esther W. For five years, IU East has been involved in the spirit of Connect, Create, Contribute, through our partnership with Friends Fellowship Community (FFC) for the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program. We are pleased to announce that throughout June … Continued
IU Bicentennial intern documents IU East history of community engagement

IU Bicentennial intern documents IU East history of community engagement

, , , , Frances Yates, outreach, Programs
The IU Office of the Bicentennial supports initiatives to document the history of all IU campuses. During the Spring 2018 semester, IU Bicentennial intern Maureen Girdler is researching the History of Community Engagement at the IU East campus. Maureen is an online student majoring in Communications, who will graduate in May 2018.  She is collaborating on the project with IU East archivist Beth South and library director Frances Yates. To accomplish the task of learning about the variety and extent of more than 40 years of community engagement, Maureen is interviewing students, alumni, faculty and staff. She is also utilizing an index to the Pioneer Press, which was the original student newspaper at IU East. Additionally, there are photos to explore … Continued
OMA: Opening Minds through Art

OMA: Opening Minds through Art

, Frances Yates, outreach, Programs
Now in its second year, Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an intergenerational program bringing students together with elders with dementia to produce failure-free works of abstract art. OMA is highly interactive, with the student acting as a facilitator for the elder artist’s vision and abilities. IU East has partnered with Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond to continue this award-winning, enlightening program. Friends Fellowship is the only facility in the state of Indiana to offer OMA to its residents. OMA uses art projects as a basis for communication between students and elder artists. The end results, besides impressive works of art, include increased self esteem for the artists and increased awareness of dementia for the students. Melissa Baxter, OMA Program … Continued
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) – ready for summer!

Opening Minds through Art (OMA) – ready for summer!

, Frances Yates, outreach, Programs
Are you looking for a summer activity that is creative and inspiring? Consider being an art partner with elders experiencing dementia, in the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program. After successful sessions in Fall 2015 and Spring 2016, we are excited to again be participants in this program with Friends Fellowship Community. Training is on June 9 and 10, and a six-week OMA program begins on June 14 for Tuesday participants and on June 16 for Thursday participants. If you are interested, you need to complete an application, available here or from the Center for Service Learning office, located in the Library in Hayes Hall. You also must pass a two-step Mantoux TB test, which will be provided by Friends … Continued