Why was Euclid Art interested in the topic of Art and Aging? Our president, Lee Peters summed it up this way. “When I first started to attend weekly board meetings, almost 17 years ago, I was struck by how many of the board members were in their 70's, 80's and even early 90's.” Lee mentioned Dorothy, Stan, Harry, and Hugh. “I was amazed at how active and engaged these artists were at that age. I often joke that the fountain of youth comes from picking up a paintbrush.”

Lee introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Holly Queen Biss. Holly is a registered, board certified Art Therapist who also teaches pre K through 8th grade. She has practiced art therapy for over 20 years. “Seems like just yesterday,” she quipped. She started working at Heather Hill after graduating from Ursuline College’s Counseling and Art Therapy program....a masters degree is needed to counsel in Art Therapy.

“You don’t go into art therapy for the money, it's the fulfillment of the work.” Holly knew from high school that this is what she wanted to do. On the screen.  On the screen, Holly projected the classic illusion....what do you see? An old lady or young women?  It took a while for us to bring the young women into focus! She asked, “how does art keep us engaged and enhance wellness and quality of life?” “What are your goals?” As an example, she showed a picture of her ‘Pop’s’ in his 80’s downhill skiing.  She said that he recently died ‘well’, just months after that ski trip. She suggested that one way to improve our own aging is to stay engaged and art is one way to do that. As an example, Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until age 78 and she lived to 101.

Holly shared several examples of how art helped her elderly and hospice clients. For example, there was Charlie. He was weak, fatigued, depressed, had to give up his home and move in with his daughter. It was hard on him as he was very active in life. She worked with Charlie at first using watercolor. He titled his first piece, “Junk”. Then, they concentrated on his short stories...he was an excellent writer...then back to line drawing and watercolor. The more active he was, the better he became. Soon, he was good enough to move into his own living space. Charlie taught her many lessons, as well. Again she said, “he died well.” Other examples....when painting, ‘she’ was no longer anxious; when doing art, ‘she’ had no tremors at all.

“Art brings laughter and joy to hospice, as well as an opportunity to express what words cannot.” Holly described the many art projects that she did with her hospice clients from embossed handprints using invisible ink and watercolor magic glitter, to clay projects using model magic clay, to art projects that create memories. Carolyn and Elizabeth both volunteered for Holly’s demonstration of ‘how to do’ an embossed handprint. Holly likes ‘using their hands’ as they hold a lot of memories.

Over 30 members and guests lined up quickly to enjoy the many delicious treats set out on the refreshment table, which was beautifully decorated with the colors of fall.  Many requested the recipes for the cold veggie pizza with cream cheese and the pineapple walnut cake.  We also enjoyed chicken slider sandwiches, Mexican chili dip with chips, assorted veggies and dip, brownies and more.  Thank you Juanita Sweet and Ginny Kendig for being our hosts for the evening.  Click here for:  Pineapple Cake recipe   Cold Veggie Pizza recipe