Unleashing the Creative Spirit: Aging is Just the Beginning

with Merry Petroski,

Project Manager, Akron Art Museum

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Merry Petroski, Project Manager at the Akron Art Museum. During the conversation, Beth and Merry discuss the museum’s Creative Aging Institute. Merry, with over 15 years of experience, discusses the institute’s mission to challenge ageist assumptions and promote creativity among older adults. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on older adults’ isolation, the importance of community in art, and the transformative power of creative expression. Merry shares inspiring stories of participants and future plans for outreach programs. The episode underscores aging as a time of opportunity, creativity, meaningful connections, and so much more.
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Notes:

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

  • Inspiration Behind the Institute (1:42)
  • Akron Art Museum’s Mission (4:22)
  • Feedback from Participants (7:50)
  • Community and Collaboration (10:20)
  • Legacy of Artistic Creation (12:32)
  • Art Glass Workshop Experience (15:24)
  • Intergenerational Connections (19:35)
  • Studio 55 Plus Initiative (22:02)
  • Community Building Through Art (25:17)
  • Art as Communication (26:19)
  • Evolving Definitions of Creativity (28:10)
  • Tour of Artistic Creations (31:14)
  • Abundant Aging Questions for Merry (32:02)
  • Final Thoughts and Takeaways (38:03)

 

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

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