Reaching transcendence by way of experience in the creative arts is a wonderful thing, oft times an out of body experience, through music, dance or other performing arts, sculpting or painting. Most of us can probably say that we have at certain times, startlingly, found a transcendent moment by the mere process of attending a live concert or observing a work of art in a gallery.
Imagine if you were the artist yourself, swept up in a moment to a transcendent place. What if you could carry that possibility through your entire life course, or unexpectedly find it in your later years? Suspend that thought for a second.
For some years now, research and active application of arts related programs in the field of aging and longevity has demonstrated how the positioning of the creative arts is a unique part of our health and well-being. It has proven to make a strong connection in the mindful engagement of older adults in the spectrum of social and health care services, such as assisted living or long-term care environments.
Dr. Kate Dupuis is an example of an academic professional in this area. Dupuis is the Schlegel Innovation Leader in Arts and Aging at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, who through her research projects, studies this very thing. As she says, “I seek to better understand the personal characteristics of individuals who are drawn to participate in the arts, and to identify the physical, psychological, social, and systemic barriers to participation.”
A story of the artist behind Artfull Aging.
Yet where in an everyday world would you find someone in practice, who could break through those barriers to participation, where actually “art is transcendent of age”? In my part of the world, that someone would be artist, founder and owner of Artfull Aging – Cailey Massey. In fact, that phrase on transcendence are words she lives by, but how did Cailey draw a line of sight (so to speak), to applying her artistry to develop art programs to help older adults?
To answer that question and others, here is part one of my interview with Cailey Massey who founded Artfull Aging in February 2016. Perhaps my tendency to curiosity, working previously with people as a career consultant, still wins out, as I always want to know the motivations of those who instinctively shape their career and start a business, where they apply their natural talents to meet needs and serve others in meaningful human ways.
How often do you hear someone say, “Things happen for a reason”? In this case, a direct line of sight may not have happened. It was more says Cailey,
“…rather a spider web of paths and dead ends that eventually led me to Artfull Aging. After university, I gained a lot of experience instructing and developing art programs for people of all ages. While I was living in Calgary, I worked for a company that built and operated older adult communities…hired to develop art programs for their residents and memory care program.”
“It was there that I realized the incredible benefits of art-making for older adults who may be facing the adversities of aging or were interested in learning something new later in life. When I left the company, I started running art programs in older adult communities in Ontario and noticed a huge gap in art programming.”
Now that is a natural entrepreneurial answer from a naturally gifted artist – look for the gaps or unmet needs. However, what motivated Cailey to study art and art history in the first place? Where did that come from? Well it was I suspect a gift after all. Her answer may or may not surprise us.
“I’ve been painting and drawing ever since I can remember. My parents are both extremely creative people, my father is in theatre and my mother was an art teacher so naturally, I sought creative outlets…, instead of going down a practical academic route with an abundance of jobs, I decided to pursue art purely based on the fact that I was passionate about it.”
“For me, painting is the only thing that I feel compelled to do. If I allow myself the time I can get lost in a painting for hours and enter a flow-like state in which everything else falls away.”
Ah, transcendence.
Next week comes part two with more about the business of Artfull Aging, its evolution and future.