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Connecting Seniors to the World
or Why Art at an Advanced Age Matters

Matisse’s vibrant and joyous cut-outs were created in his last years, while he was bed-ridden. The ever prolific Picasso made some of his most provocative works in his nineties. De Kooning’s lyrical biomorphic paintings were accomplished when he was already stricken with Alzheimer’s. The point is that none of these artists were deterred by age or infirmity from creating important works.

Encouraging the practice of art among people of all ages and walks of life, as well as lifelong learning from each other, are two of the cornerstones of The Drawing Studio’s mission. Toward this end, its program Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (or OATS) strives to enrich the lives of older people in the Tucson community by bringing art to those unable to attend classes at the downtown studio.

“Our purpose is to demonstrate the power of studio art practice to positively affect people’s lives at any age,” says OATS Coordinator and TDS Teaching Artist, Pat Dolan. “We not only want to give the elderly hope, we are creating a new model of aging with hope.”

Begun as a small pilot program in 2005, OATS places practicing artists in community settings, such as libraries, senior and neighborhood centers, assisted living facilities and small group homes. Unlike many recreational art programs, the purpose of OATS is less therapeutic than artistic: “We are not about keeping seniors ‘busy and occupied,’” says Pat. “Rather we target seniors with a serious interest in art and connect them to an intergenerational community of art practice.”

OATS participants run the gamut from those with a keen interest in art to those who are curious to learn new things. They work primarily in watercolor, drawing, collage and mixed media, and some clay. Classes may run for eight-week cycles or be ongoing, giving participants ample chance to develop their art practice on a more profound level. They also form meaningful connections, both with their tutors and with each other. As Pat notes, “Each class group becomes its own community.”

The practice of visual art is an excellent way for place-bound seniors to stay connected with the world. In fact, according to leading gerontologist and psychiatrist Gerald Cohen, creativity “is a very powerful human force. It’s never too late.” His studies at the University of Washington have shown that creative activity lessens depression, builds emotional resilience, boosts the immune system and enhances the quality of seniors’ life.

The success of OATS can be measured by its rapid growth: in the 10 months since TDS was able to secure funding for Pat’s position and some program support, OATS has gone from one site to ten, spread throughout the Tucson region. Pat would like to expand the program further, but much depends on finding talented and skilled tutors who are eager to work with seniors.

“We want tutors to be able to easily handle their commitment,” says Dolan. “We try to match them with centers near their homes and fit course times in with their schedules. We are also sensitive to the particular interests of different tutors.” Tutors receive training, and thereafter attend monthly support/training sessions that include a hands-on art project. In this way, OATS encourages tutors in the practice of their own art. In addition to a small hourly stipend, tutors also gain invaluable teaching experience and life experience. Especially needed are tutors who can speak at least a little Spanish, as the program seeks to expand into some of Tucson’s lesser served and more diverse neighborhoods, and tutors who are interested in working with seniors with more pronounced cognitive impairments.

In addition to recruiting more tutors, equally critical to the expansion of the program is securing the gifts, earned income, and grants that will allow the program to serve a wide range of seniors. Two recent grants—from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and the Joan Brown Diamond Charitable Trust—allowed the program to expand its reach to low- and moderate-income seniors, as well as underwrite a portion of the coordinator position. OATS is also supported by this year’s Annual Fund. Read more about our 2008 Annual Fund.

As the OATS Coordinator, Pat brings many years of education and experience to her work. After obtaining a Master of Fine Arts at the Institute of Design, Chicago, she went on to take courses in gerontology and on death and dying. A committed artist, Pat has led other parallel lives: she has taught fine arts and photography; worked as a social worker with the elderly and as a certified grief counselor; and led a support group for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s. “I have always enjoyed working with older people,” she explains. “I like hearing their stories.”

If you think you too would enjoy helping seniors continue to maintain meaningful lives, while discovering the joy to be found in creative expression and visual art practice, then contact Pat Dolan at seniors@thedrawingstudio.org or 620-0947.

– Emily Düwel

Quotes from OATS (Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors)...

On what OATS tutors value most about their work:
Everyone in the class is a teacher at some point. There is so much to learn and so much to share. Linda Vogell, OATS Tutor, Atria Campana del Rio

I love doing this. Tutoring is very rewarding and keeps me on my toes. I enjoy inventing new ways to help people see and break out of old stereotypes such as the belief that they can’t make beautiful things.
It is great to work with the basic principles of art in an un-academic way. Getting noticeable results helps seniors build confidence. Getting people to talk makes an enormous difference in their results. Creating community works.
Adrienne O'Hare, OATS Tutor, Columbus Library

You wonder “What is it for?” Tutoring can be pleasurable. It can be the color, or the shape in someone’s piece that satisfies your inner soul. The interactions can be like music that calms your heart. Carile Neale, OATS Tutor, Desert Point

I showed the group how to draw birds using old calendar pictures and Betty Edwards’ drawing upside-down technique, and it worked pretty well. The students were interested in the technique and pleased with the results. Pat Dickson, OATS Tutor, Villa Maria Care Center

I'm doing this to find my own center. It is fun for me. I like the discipline of doing something every week. I am also doing this to get in touch with my own art. Alice Dance, OATS Tutor, Armory Park Center

And the thoughts of an OATS senior student:
I never thought I could do this. I was so tickled to be in this class. Armory Park Senior Barbara

TDS recently received two grants, from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and the Joan Brown Diamond Charitable Trust, in support of OATS. As a result of this investment, we have contracted with Pat Dolan, a TDS master teaching artist with extensive experience working with seniors, to coordinate the program on a part-time basis. The grants will also help us offer “scholarships” to low-income seniors (similar to our summer teen program) to participate in the program.

OATS places practicing artists in community settings (senior centers, assisted living centers) to work with seniors who can’t come to our classes and workshops. These seniors may already have a keen interest in art—because they pursued art professionally or as an avocation when they were younger or have always wanted to do so—or they are simply adventurous, curious, and eager to continue their engagement in the world.

Unlike many traditional recreational art programs, our purpose is less therapeutic than artistic. We are not about keeping seniors “busy and occupied”; rather we target seniors with a genuine interest in art and connect them to a community of art practice that spans all ages and walks of life.

Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (OATS)
By Pat Dolan, OATS Coordinator

The purpose of OATS (Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors) is to demonstrate the power of studio art practice to positively affect people’s lives at any age. Sponsored by The Drawing Studio, OATS places practicing artists in community settings to work with seniors who can’t come to our classes at our downtown studio. We connect seniors interested in art to an intergenerational community of art practice.

As a tutor, you will receive training and support. You should have a keen interest in interacting with and encouraging seniors’ creativity and should have progressed in your studies to the point where you feel comfortable working with small groups. For information on becoming an OATS Tutor, please contact Pat Dolan at seniors@thedrawingstudio.org or leave a message at (520) 620-0947.